These days, our homes are full of devices that need power, phones, laptops, TVs, fridges, gaming consoles, and many more. Often, one power point just isn’t enough.
It can be tempting to plug one power board into another or keep using extension cords to get more sockets. But that can be dangerous. Too much electricity flowing through a single outlet can trip switches, damage your appliances, or even start a fire.
The good news is that you can safely add extra power points if you do it the right way, keeping both your devices and your home protected. We’ll explain how.
Understanding the Dangers of Overloading & “Daisy-Chaining”
Let’s start with the basics. A power point is designed to handle a certain amount of electricity at a time. Think of electricity like water running through a pipe. If too much water flows through a small pipe, it can burst. In electrical terms, too much electricity on a single power point can overheat the wiring, trip the circuit breaker, or even cause a fire.
Daisy-chaining is when you plug one power board into another to get more sockets. It might seem harmless, but every time you add another layer, you increase the total load on that circuit. It’s not good for your devices, and definitely not good for your home.
Signs you might be overloading your home include:
Power points that feel warm to the touch. Lights that dim when you turn on multiple appliances. Circuit breakers that trip frequently.
These are all warnings that it’s time to add power points safely, rather than keep pushing your luck, which is risky.
The Professional Solution: Why You Need a Licensed Electrician for New Power Points
You might wonder if you could add new power points yourself, but it’s so much more complicated than just drilling a hole and attaching a socket to the wall. A licensed electrician will make sure everything is connected correctly, safely, and compliantly.
Here’s why calling a professional is worth it:
Knowledge of your wiring system: Every home is different. An electrician knows which circuits can handle more electricity and which can’t.
Safety first: Incorrectly installed power points can create fire hazards or damage your appliances.
Proper materials and techniques: From circuit breakers to wiring sizes, your electrician will have the right equipment, and that doesn’t include your standard household screwdriver. They’ll also use high-quality materials that will hold up in tough conditions.
Peace of mind: You don’t have to worry about DIY mistakes that could cost a lot more than a few extra plugs.
Hiring a professional might feel like spending more up front, but it prevents expensive or dangerous problems later.
Strategic Placement and Smart Power Management
Once you’ve decided to add extra power points, where you put them is really important. Smart placement means putting sockets where you actually need them most, like near your TV, desk, kitchen bench, or bedside, so you don’t have to stretch cords across the room or overload a single outlet. This keeps your home running smoothly and reduces the risk of accidents. Here are a few tips:
Place power points near where devices are actually used. Don’t make people stretch cords across the room. Group high-power appliances on different circuits. Your kettle, toaster, and microwave all draw a lot of electricity, so give them their own power source so they don’t all rely on the same one. Consider using power boards with built-in surge protection for extra safety. This protects your electronics from sudden spikes.
Managing your power wisely is just as important as choosing the right spot for your sockets. Unplug things when you’re not using them, take turns running heavy appliances, and avoid stretching cords across each other. Little habits like these help your home run safely and can even cut down on your electricity bills.
Adding extra power points doesn’t need to be stressful. With the help of a qualified electrician, careful placement, and some common-sense habits, you can keep your devices running and your home safe. After all, nobody wants to tell the fire brigade that their attempt to install their own power sources went horribly wrong.
Get in touch with us here at Florance Electrical to make an appointment to get your power points installed safely.