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Your fridge needs a certain amount of power to work properly. If you don’t get enough, it could lead to spoilage and a lot of frustration.You should use a cord that’s rated for your fridge, and one that’s heavy-duty. How to Choose the Right Fridge Plugs Not only will that help prevent it from overheating, but it will also keep you safe from fires.
Extension cords
Extension cords are used for a wide variety of devices, including home appliances like refrigerators. Although they are a good option for powering appliances that don’t have wall sockets, they can be dangerous when connected to appliances that use a lot of electricity.
A heavy-duty appliance extension cord is a better option for appliances that require more power than a regular household extension cord can provide. These cords are designed to withstand the demands of large appliances and can transfer electricity up to 125 volts.
They can also carry 12 amps of current, compared to 10 amps in the case of a normal household extension cord.
However, it’s important to note that the voltage drop a heavy-duty extension cord can create could affect its working efficiency and possibly damage the compressor linked to your fridge.
The best way to avoid this is to choose a refrigerator-rated extension cord that has a higher wattage rating than your fridge, but not more than 15 amps. This is important because excess wattage can cause a fire breakout.
Wall sockets
Refrigerators need a dedicated circuit to ensure they have the power needed to run properly. They are not designed to draw a lot of current and can cause electrical issues if they share a socket with other devices.
Most European kitchens include a specific 240-volt outlet for a fridge. This is for safety and to prevent other appliances from drawing power from this outlet, which can create a fire hazard.
If you are moving to a new home or if you want to use your fridge abroad, check whether the wall sockets in the new location are compatible with your refrigerator plug. If they are not, you can use adaptors to connect it with a different type of plug.
In Denmark, all new installations require earthed sockets (HFI in Danish) by 1 July 2008. These are available in two types of plug: a CEE 7/5 unearthed plug with two angled current-carrying pins and no earthing pin, or a CEE 7/3 recessed socket with exposed ground (ground) projections on the circumference of the socket.
Low-profile plugs
Low-profile plugs are ideal for putting behind pieces of furniture and fixtures. They also provide more space for the cord to run along.
Refrigerators typically come with an electrical cord that connects to a wall outlet. It usually has a standard three-prong plug with an included ground prong to protect your home and appliance in the event of an electrical short.
If you need to extend your fridge’s power cord, make sure the extension cord is the right size for your appliance and your wall receptacle. Undersized extensions can cause the cord and wires to overheat, a fire hazard.
The Maximm Cable 360deg Rotating Flat Plug Extension Cord is a good choice for extending your fridge’s cord. It has a sleek look that will match any décor and can be plugged into most wall outlets, including those with upside-down or sideways outlets. It’s one of the best power extension cords on the market today. The 360-degree rotation makes it easy to move the cord where you need it.
Frayed plugs
Frayed or ripped cords are a serious safety concern, as they can cause electrical fires, arcing and power failure. To prevent this from happening, always replace or dispose of old and damaged appliances.
To repair a cord with frayed or ripped wires, first check to see if the end of the plug is missing. If so, cut off that part and splice the remaining wires together to make a new one.
On a two-wire cord, separate the wires about 1 to 2 inches down. Twist the ends of each wire to make a loop that will fit around the holding screws on the new plug.
On a three-wire cord, attach each of the exposed wires to the screw terminals on a different prong. For example, the ground wire will go to the green screw. The neutral wire will go to the silver screw, and the hot wire will go to the brass screw. Then, tighten the wires into place with a screwdriver.