Last updated on November 23rd, 2024
As an experienced appliance repair specialist and installer, I’m often asked about the safety and practicality of using extension leads, double adaptors, or power boards with high demand appliances like washing machines, clothes dryers, and fridges. Most advice on the topic tends to be overly cautious, often recommending against these practices outright. It’s understandable why, the stakes are high, and if used incorreectly and carelessly improper use of these products can easily burn your house down or cause an electrical hazard. However, understanding the specifics can help you make informed and safe decisions for your home.
The Common Problem
Especially in older homes, a common problem is the lack of sufficient powerpoints in laundries and bathrooms. Often, you’ll find a single outlet with one plug for both your washer and dryer, or a single outlet in the kitchen. So, what should you do? First, let’s cover some basics, and then we will come back to this problem.
Understanding the Load Limit of Power Outlets in Australia
In Australia (this advice is Australia specific, it may burn your house down in other countries), the standard power outlet is rated at 10 amps, which translates to a maximum power draw of 2,400 watts (240V x 10A). This is the key to understanding how to use power boards, double adaptors, and extension leads safely.
- Can you plug a double adaptor into a power board? Yes
- Can you plug a power board into a double adaptor? Yes
- Can you plug a power board into an extension cord? Yes
- Can you plug a double adaptor into an extension cord? Yes
- Can you burn your house down if you do it wrong? Yes
The key is to ensure that you never go over 10A of power draw. Overloading an outlet, power board, double adaptor, or extension cord can easily lead to overheating and potentially cause a fire. They are dangerous if used improperly. Power boards usually have an overload switch that triggers if the power draw is too high, but not so for the outlet, a double adaptor, or an extension lead.
For example, a typical washing machine or dryer both draw close to the full 10A limit of a single outlet. If you plugged an extension lead into the outlet and then connected both appliances with a double adaptor, you’re using double the power that the outlet, the double adaptor, and the extension lead can safely carry. There is a real risk that one of them will overheat and melt, leading to a fire or an electrical hazard. High-power appliances should always have their own dedicated outlet to avoid overloading. Where you can create a dangerous situation is when you ask a high-draw appliance to share an outlet by means of a double adaptor which has no inbuilt overload protection, and it’s all made a lot worse if an extension lead is involved. Power boards usually have an overload fuse built in and will cut the power if the draw is too high, making them somewhat safer than double adaptors, but you shouldn’t rely on the overload fuse in a $3 power board to guard against the prospect of your house burning down either.
High Power Draw Appliances
These appliances should have their own dedicated outlet:
- Clothes Dryers (Electric): Generally draw 2,000 watts continuously.
- Frontloader Washing Machines: Typically draw 500W with frequent peaks up to 2,000 watts when the water heater activates.
- Dishwashers: Typically draw 500W with frequent peaks up to 2,000 watts when the water heater activates.
- Electric Room Heaters: Generally draw 2,400 watts continuously.
- Kettles: Typically draw 2,000 watts continuously.
- Toasters: Typically draw 1,500 watts continuously.
- Electric Hotplates: Typically draw between 1,200-2,000 watts continuously.
You can use an extension cord with these appliances, the important thing is they do not share an outlet.
Medium Draw Appliances
These appliances can share an outlet but only with other thoughtfully selected medium draw appliances or lower power draw appliances:
- Refrigerators: Typically draw between 100-500 watts (with peaks up to 2,400 watts when the compressor starts).
- Microwaves: Typically draw between 600-1,200 watts continuously.
- Heat Pump Dryers: Typically draw between 500-1,000 watts.
- Top Loader Washers (without heating elements): Typically draw between 500-1,000 watts.
Low Power Draw Appliances
These appliances draw minimal power and are unlikely to overload power boards extension leads or double adaptors when used together:
- LED Lightbulbs: Typically draw between 5-20 watts.
- Fairy/Christmas lights: Typically draw less than 100 watts for LEDs but can be significantly higher if incandscent, which you’re unlikely to come across these days. When in doubt check the box, it can vary significantly depending on string length.
- Chargers: Typically draw between 5-100 watts.
- Laptops: Typically draw between 50-100 watts.
- Televisions (LED/LCD): Typically draw between 50-200 watts.
- Desktop Computers: Typically draw between 100-300 watts.
- Printers: Typically draw between 30-50 watts (when printing, higher during startup).
- Gaming Consoles: Typically draw between 100-250 watts.
Can you use an Extension Cord, Power board, or Double Adaptor with a Fridge?
Using an extension cord or a double adaptor with a fridge is generally fine. A fridge typically draws only a quarter to a third of the rated power of a socket, though it can peak up to 2400W for a few seconds when the compressor powers on. If the compressor or its switch fails, the draw can reach 10A for several seconds every few minutes, which could potentially cause an issue if there’s another high or medium draw appliance running from a double adaptor or trigger the overload switch on a power board.
Can you use an Extension Cord, Power board, or Double Adaptor with a Washing Machine and Dryer?
As mentioned earlier, a washer and dryer should never share an outlet as they are both high-power appliances. So, what should you do if you only have a single outlet? First and foremost, never use a double adaptor. Both appliances draw close to the rated power of the outlet (10A), so plugging them both into a double adaptor will overload both the outlet and the adaptor. Especially avoid using a double adaptor plugged into a single extension lead for a washer and dryer—this is a recipe for disaster and a great way to melt an extension lead and cause an electrical hazard or fire.
The correct way to remedy this situation is to have a licensed electrician replace the single outlet with a two-plug outlet. This upgrade is generally straightforward and is particularly recommended for power-intensive appliances like washers and dryers. Upgrading ensures that each appliance can operate independently without overloading the system.
The Exception to the Rule: Heat Pump Dryers and Toploader Washer Combo
Proving that nothing is ever straightforward and easy to explain, a toploader washer and heat pump dryer breaks the above advice – maybe. You could probably get away with plugging a heat pump dryer and toploader washer combo into a single lead with a power board or even a double adaptor and using them at the same time. A top loading washer (most of which have no heating capabilities and draw heat from the hot water service) coupled with a heat pump dryer (which uses a compressor to generate heat, not a heating element) might just stay under the 10A socket and lead limit. So too is it likely that a frontloader washer set to wash on cold paired with a heat pump dryer would be likely to draw less than 10A. However, it would be close, and I recommend using a power board for added peace of mind, not a double adaptor. To be extra safe, use a plug-in wall power meter to check the washer’s power draw while on full speed spin and the dryer while it’s turning with the compressor running.
Conclusion
While it is technically possible to use extension leads, double adaptors, or power boards with high-demand appliances like washing machines, clothes dryers, and fridges, it comes with significant risks. The primary concern is ensuring that the total power draw does not exceed the 10 amp limit of the outlet and any extension leads, power boards or double adpaters you’ve plugged into it. Overloading can easily lead to overheating, electrical hazards, or even fires.
For safety and optimal performance, high-power appliances should always have their own dedicated outlets. You can use an extension lead to connect a high powered appliance to an outlet, as long as it has its own outlet. If this isn’t feasible, a power board with overload protection is the next best option, but it should never be used to power multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously. Always be cautious and consider consulting with a licensed electrician to upgrade your home’s electrical system to meet the demands of modern appliances safely.
Remember, the convenience of using these devices should never come at the expense of safety. By understanding the electrical load limits and using power boards with built-in safety features, you can make informed decisions to protect your home and family from potential hazards.