Is it safe to plug a freezer into an extension cord?

The power cord on a freezer or refrigerator has a ground pin, so you need a UL® listed 3-wire grounding appliance extension cord, and you must plug the cord into a grounded three-pin receptacle. It isn't safe or acceptable to remove the ground pin from your extension cord so you can plug it into a two-pin receptacle.

Can you hook a freezer up to an extension cord?

GE strongly recommends that an extension cord not be used with a freezer due to the potential safety hazards under certain conditions.

Can you plug a freezer into a surge protector?

We do not recommend connecting a refrigerator or freezer to a surge protector. The reason we do not recommend this is explained below: The compressor is sensitive to temperature and current overloads and will shut itself down with a power surge.

Do you need a heavy duty extension cord for freezer?

Most appliance manufactures include a short cord to reduce voltage drop. Nevertheless, you can always use an extension cord with your freezer. Get a heavy-duty extension cord rated for your freezer voltage and amps.

Can you plug refrigerator or freezer into extension cord?

Safety Considerations

The biggest concern with using an extension cord to power a refrigerator is using the wrong cord, which can lead to overheating of the cord, damage to the appliance and increased risk of fire or electric shock. Never try to plug a three-pronged appliance into an un-grounded extension cord.

Is it safe to use an extension cord on a chest freezer?

What gauge extension cord is needed for a freezer?

A typical refrigerator or freezer draws 15 amps of current at 120 volts, and that amount of current calls for a 14-gauge cable at a minimum. However, 12-gauge cable is safer because refrigerator and freezer compressors can draw more than the rated current every time they cycle on.

Is it OK to plug a refrigerator into a power strip?

Rule two: never plug high power capacity appliances, like space heaters, refrigerators, or microwave and toaster ovens into power strips or extension cords. These appliances have higher power capacity and need to be plugged into a wall outlet directly. Rule number three: always plug power strips directly into the wall.

Is it OK to plug a refrigerator into an extension cord?

While most small appliances can be plugged in to an extension cord with no problem, that isn't the case with a refrigerator. Refrigerators are huge and need a lot of energy to run and thus a regular extension cord may not be able to take on the job and be a fire hazard to boot.

Can you plug a refrigerator in the garage?

Most refrigerators stop working at some point during the winter months in an unheated garage, depending on climate and how well the garage is insulated. Most manufacturers do not recommend placing a refrigerator in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

How do I protect my fridge from a power surge?

What appliances need surge protectors?

But bigger or more important items, as well as appliances that require constant power, such as computers, printers, televisions, and refrigerators, should all use surge protectors. Any device that you don't want to lose in the event of a power surge, or that would be expensive to replace, should be protected.

Why do some appliances say not to use an extension cord?

Certain high wattage appliances should not use an extension cord when possible (check the owner's manual). Using an extension cord on these appliances could cause excessive heat and voltage drop, this could damage the appliance or motor.

Does a freezer need a dedicated circuit?

Upright and chest freezers require a 120 volt, individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3 prong grounding type receptacle, protected by a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker or time-delay fuse. The freezer should be on a dedicated circuit.

Is it OK to put freezer in garage?

And if your garage is insulated and climate-controlled, it's fine to put a freezer there. You just want to make sure the space is dry. Keep the freezer away from windows and out of direct sunlight, because that makes it work harder to maintain the right interior temperature.

How do I keep my garage freezer working in the winter?

If your garage temperature dips below freezing, the thermostat inside the garage refrigerator's freezer may think it's cold enough and shut off. To work around this issue, you need to heat the air around the thermostat. One way is to install a heating coil around the thermostat.

Are all freezers garage ready?

Not all chest freezers are garage optimized. Internal components of chest freezers must be properly designed for and tested to ensure that they can handle higher and lower temperatures of the environment.

Can you use extension cords on appliances?

Using extension cords

Never use extension cords to power appliances. Plug appliances directly into wall outlets. . Never use indoor extension cords outdoors. Don't plug multiple cords together.

How many amps does a freezer use?

Modern chest freezers typically use 2 amps while running, however 3.5 amps is very common. A typical modern upright freezer uses 2.3 amps when running.

What should you never plug into a power strip?

What is the difference between an extension cord and a power strip?

However, the main difference between the two lies in the purpose: If you want to multiply the number of electrical outlets from a single source, use a power strip. If you want to stretch out a power source towards a distant appliance, use an extension cord.

How much power does a freezer draw?

A freezer uses 300 to 700 watts, depending on the size and model year. For example, a 13 cubic foot frost-free freezer consumes around 300 watts, while a 20 cubic foot chest freezer utilizes 350 watts. An older model of a freezer will consume more than a newer freezer model.

Does a freezer need to be plugged into a GFCI outlet?

So freezers and refrigerators should never be plugged into GFCI's. The consequence of a tripped GFCI is just what you experienced - melted and spoiled food.

Why does my freezer keep tripping the breaker?

If the insulation is frayed or the wiring is damaged, it can cause short circuits or surges. This will trip your breaker. The same thing goes if the prongs on the plug are rusty, wobbly, or broken. If you find an issue with the cord, we recommend just replacing it.

How do extension cords cause fires?

Extension cords can overheat and cause fires when used improperly. Overheating is usually caused by overloading or connecting appliances that consume more watts than the cord can handle. Damaged extension cords can also cause fires. Extension cords should only be used temporarily.