Always plug a surge protector into a single wall electrical outlet

For maximum safety and effectiveness, a surge protector should always be plugged directly into a properly grounded wall outlet. Never plug a surge protector into an extension cord, another surge protector, or a power strip. That setup — called daisy‑chaining — can overload the circuit, void the warranty, and most importantly, create a fire hazard.

Yesterday I was on a job where two surge protectors were plugged into each other in a loop. That’s exactly the kind of situation that can quietly damage equipment or start a fire without warning.

To fix the issue, I picked up a GE 6‑outlet surge protector extender tap from Office Depot/OfficeMax for $14.99. It’s compact, plugs directly into the wall, and includes a lifetime $50,000 connected‑equipment warranty, which is a nice bonus for peace of mind.

At your home or office, take a moment to check how they’re plugged in. A quick correction now can prevent a major problem later.

Mark Cavil Avatar

Mark Cavil

Owner / Technician

The owner of Computer Repairs & Solutions LLC since July 2003. I have technical and diagnostic experience in computer, laptop, game console, tablet, and phone repair.

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