Can You Use an Extension Cord With a Surge Suppressor?

Surge Protector Basics

• Surge protectors or suppressors shut off automatically when they sense a sudden spike in the electrical flow, such as from a lightning strike. Surge suppressors are not the same as standard power strips, which have a fuse or breaker that shuts them off if you try to draw too much electricity through the strip's outlets. A surge suppressor is not designed to detect this type of power flow unless you purchase one that also contains a fuse or circuit breaker. This means there is a danger of attempting to draw more power through your surge suppressor than it or the extension cord is designed to handle, which can cause an increased risk of fire.

Extension Cord Gauge

• Never use a household "zip cord" type of extension cord with any power strip, including surge protectors. Look for 16-gauge or larger extension cords. The gauge refers to the thickness of the wire, which affects how much electricity it can safely carry, and the lower the number, the larger the wire. This means 14-gauge wire would also work, as it is larger than 16-gauge, whereas 18-gauge is smaller and not safe for this use. This increases the safety of using extension cords because most household electrical panels will shut off the power through a fuse or circuit breaker before the electrical flow becomes more than a 16-gauge cord can handle.

Additional Requirements

• Aside from gauge, you also need a grounded extension cord for safe electrical usage. This means a three-prong style rather than a two-prong style plug. Also, look for the "UL Listed" tag on the cord and your surge suppressor. Any electrical equipment you use should have this tag, which means it has been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories for electrical safety. Even with these safety precautions, extension cords are not designed as permanent wiring, so limit your use to a few days until you can come up with a more permanent solution.

Cords to Devices

• Avoid using extension cords between the surge suppressor and your devices. If not all of your devices can reach the surge suppressor, plug them in elsewhere. Having multiple extension cords running from your surge suppressor to your equipment increases your fire risk, partly due to the potential for improper connections or unnoticed cord damage, and partly due to the increased potential to use under-rated cords, such as 18-gauge inexpensive extension cords.

Additional Considerations

• Some surge suppressors are not guaranteed to work with extension cords. Check the paperwork that came with your surge suppressor to find the manufacturer's warranty. If your surge suppressor has any sort of guarantee but the warranty excludes use with extension cords or specifies certain types of extension cords that are permitted, using any cords outside these guidelines can void your warranty and limit the company's liability if the surge suppressor fails.