5 Electronic Devices That Should Not Be Turned On at the Same Time, Danger!
Many of us often turn on or run various electronic devices at the same time to speed up household work. For example, turning on the washing machine while vacuuming at home or using the air fryer. Even though it looks easy and efficient, is it safe to run all this equipment at once?
Glenn Lewis, president of Mr. Appliance—a household company from the United States—explains that if your home’s wiring is installed properly, turning on all electronic equipment at the same time should not be a problem. However, problems can arise if too many high-power electronics are on the same circuit or plugged into one outlet.
This can reduce efficiency, overload circuits, cause wires to overheat, trip breakers, damage equipment, and even potentially cause a fire. To prevent this, it is important to know which electronic equipment is on the same circuit and how many watts it has.
Also, avoid plugging electronics that use a lot of energy into the same outlet or power strip. According to Lewis, people sometimes worry that turning on several electronics at the same time will increase their electricity bill. However, this is actually not the main problem. Every time the equipment is turned on, the electricity bill will increase, but the price increase remains the same, whether used together or separately.
To ensure maximum safety and efficiency, the following electronic items should not be turned on at the same time:
1. Dishwasher and washing machine
Running the dishwasher while washing clothes can drain the hot water supply, so clothes or dishes may not be as clean as they should be. Both of these devices use significant energy, and when used together, they can work less efficiently and trigger circuit breakers if they are on the same circuit.
Additionally, concurrent use can reduce the amount of hot water and lower the water pressure in the bathroom and kitchen sink.
2. Small kitchen equipment
Appliances such as an electric kettle, microwave or toaster are usually on the same circuit. All of this equipment consumes large amounts of energy, and using them together can overload circuits and potentially trigger circuit breakers.
To prevent this, avoid plugging them into one outlet, check the wattage so as not to overload the outlet and circuit, and stagger their use.
3. Space heaters and other high-power equipment
Space heaters use a lot of energy, and turning on other high-powered appliances that are on the same circuit can overload the circuit. This can cause the circuit breaker to trip or even overheat the cable and potentially cause a fire.
Make sure the space heater is plugged into a power outlet, not an extension outlet, and do not plug other appliances into the outlet. Also avoid turning on high-powered equipment such as large washing machines or kitchen equipment that are on the same circuit as the room heater.
4. High power electronics that last a long time
High-powered electronics such as dishwashers, ovens, window AC units, and even coffee makers fall into this category. While they all consume significant power, window AC units typically run for several hours, while coffee makers only run for a few minutes.
It is best to avoid turning on high-power equipment, especially those that are on for a long time, at the same time to prevent safety risks.
5. Hair dryer and some other bathroom equipment
Although the hair dryer is small and portable, it is known to be power-hungry. The wattage range can reach 2,500 watts. If more than one person is getting ready in the bathroom at the same time, avoid using the hair dryer while other equipment is in use.
Even though the wattage may be lower, if you add an electric toothbrush, an electric razor, a bathroom light, and a running AC unit to a high-powered hair dryer, chances are the circuit will be overloaded.
