Power board no-no’s

High-power appliances

These are things like portable air conditioners, electric stoves, and electric kettles. They need a lot of power to do their thing, so it's best to plug them directly into a dedicated electrical outlet. Power boards might not be able to handle their power demands.

Large appliances

Fridges, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers are heavy-duty and require a direct connection to a wall outlet. They consume a lot of power and can cause voltage surges, so it's best to skip the power board for them.

Power tools

Tools like table saws, circular saws, and electric drills draw a lot of power. Power boards might not provide enough capacity, leading to overheating or damage.

Heating appliances

Things such as electric blankets, space heaters, or heat lamps, should always be directly plugged into a wall outlet. This helps minimise the risk of overheating and potential fire hazards.

Coffee machine

Your trusty coffee maker needs a good amount of power to turn those coffee beans into your morning coffee. So, make sure you plug it directly into a wall outlet, not a power board.

Hairdressing appliances

Hairdryers, curling wands, and straightening irons produce heat, which means they pull a lot of power to get nice and hot. Plugging them into a power board can cause trouble. They should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

Toasters

These have exposed wires inside that heat up to toast your bread so they need a lot of electrical current, which can overload a power board. So, no extension cords or power strips for them. Stick to a good old wall outlet.

Slow cookers

You might think that they use less power, but they need continuous power for a long time. Power boards aren't designed to handle that kind of energy, so it's best to plug your slow cooker safely into a wall outlet before you set it and forget it.

Microwave ovens

Despite being smaller appliances, microwaves use a lot of energy for their various functions. Defrosting, heating, cooking, and reheating all require more power than a power strip can provide. So, your microwave oven needs its own wall outlet.

Power boards can be handy, but they have their limits. Stick to using them for lighter appliances like computers, phones, lamps, and clocks. It's a good idea to buy power strips with internal circuit breakers for added safety. And remember, don't use power strips in damp or wet areas like kitchens or bathrooms.