FRC Blogged - Wireless Security, Karthik at TEDx and a Pop Safety Quiz!

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Travis Covington

Read the OSHA regulations and National Electrical Code for more information. This is all covered and pretty widely accepted as safe practice. Same goes with power strips plugged in to extension cords, extension cords plugged in to extension cords, etc.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe UL also has requirements to state what can and cannot be plugged in to extension cords, power strips etc. It usually says on the device "do not plug in to another power strip" or something like that.

Power strips are approved by UL under UL1363 which states:

1.7 A cord-connected RPT is not intended to be connected to another cord-connected RPT.

(RPT is what UL calls power strips or surge protectors).

29 CFR §1910.303(b)(2) requires that "Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.". Thus by plugging in a power strip to another power strip, you are not following UL1363 and 29 CFR §1910.303(b)(2) and that is why OSHA cares.