EZSMART Corporation, ESA/ECRA #7012690 , North York , Ontario
Mon-Fri 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Daisy-chaining power strips — plugging one strip into another to extend the number of outlets available — is one of the most common electrical mistakes in Canadian homes and offices. The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) explicitly identifies daisy-chaining as a fire hazard and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) prohibits it.
The core danger of daisy-chaining is current concentration: all the current drawn by every device connected to the second strip must pass through the first strip’s cord. The fire starts in the cord or first strip’s housing, not in the panel — and the circuit breaker does not protect you.
The correct solution to a shortage of outlets is to add outlets — an ESA-licensed electrician can add dedicated outlets in any location. If a power strip is used, it should be a single strip connected directly to a wall outlet, loaded to no more than 80% of its rated capacity.
Need additional outlets to replace power strips in your home or office? Our ESA-certified electricians serve the GTA. Call us at 416-838-9006 or visit our contact page.
Electrician Since 2008 Journeyman Electrician Designated Master Electrician at EZSMART Corp
