November 19, 2025

The Hidden Danger Under Your Desk: The Threat of Electrical Daisy Chaining

The demand for power in our offices rivals the energy needs of modern data centers! But this holiday season, a hidden danger lurks under your desk: electrical daisy chaining.

"Daisy chaining" or the act of plugging one power strip into another, or into an extension cord is a common, yet severe, safety violation. Aside from being disorganized, it's a direct catalyst for a dangerous electrical failure.

The Silent Overload: Why It's a Code Violation

Every power cord and strip is rated for a specific maximum load. When you chain them together, the first cord plugged into the wall is forced to carry the current for every device on the entire chain.

This almost instantly leads to electrical overload.

• Heat Generation: The excess current generates intense heat in the wires of the first cord, melting the insulation.
• Safety Failure: This practice is explicitly prohibited by both the National Electrical Code (NEC) (NFPA, 2023) and OSHA (OSHA, 2023) because it negates the built-in safety mechanisms of your building’s circuits.

The Hard Numbers

The statistics are clear: electrical distribution failures are a top cause of commercial and residential fires.

• Approximately 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords each year (CPSC, n.d.).
• Electrical equipment is involved in nearly one-third (35%) of home Christmas tree fires (NFPA, 2024).

This hazard is actively cited as one of the most common electrical violations during workplace safety inspections (OCWR, n.d.).

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Your 3-Step Safety Checklist

Keep your team safe and your operations running smoothly by implementing these rules:

• Plug Directly In: Power strips and surge protectors must always be plugged directly into a permanent wall outlet. Never into another strip or cord.
• No Permanent Cords: Extension cords are for temporary use only (OSHA, 2023). If you need more outlets, contact your facilities team to install permanent, compliant receptacles.
• Know Your Power Hogs: Never plug high-wattage appliances (space heaters, microwaves, kettles) into any power strip or extension cord. They must go straight into the wall.

Be proactive. A quick check under your desk can prevent a devastating incident.