Tripping ranks among the most common electrical hazards in homes and workplaces.
Besides damaging the wires themselves, running into loose electrical cables can cause severe trip and fall injuries. While tripping hazards are commonly associated with extension cords, these mishaps may also result from other common electrical attachments like power strips and cords.
Fortunately, practicing proper cable management can minimize trips and falls caused by loose or tangled wires strewn across the floor. Another practical approach would be to invest in right-angle power strips.
This post explores the role of right-angle power strips in facilitating cable management.
Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/charger-power-outlet-power-strip-3285039/
What Are Right-Angle Power Strips?
Power strips are blocks of electrical sockets designed with a cord on one end.
Many people often use the words “power strips” interchangeably with “extension cords,” perhaps due to their near-similarity in appearance. However, these electrical attachments differ fundamentally in their intended applications.
Power strips are primarily designed to plug multiple appliances simultaneously. Therefore, the focus is usually on the number of sockets.
Conversely, extension cords are meant to extend the reach of electricity from nearby outlets to appliances that need powering. As such, length is often the first consideration while selecting extension cords.
Power strips may also differ considerably in the design of their plugs and receptacles. Popular options include straight-plug and right-angle strips.
A right angle power strip plugs into an outlet or receptacle at 90 degrees, while straight-plug strips protrude slightly horizontally from their receptacles. That seemingly subtle difference plays a key role in determining the suitability of either power strip for your needs.
Do Right-Angle Power Strips Plug Right Or Left?
Right-angle power strips are alternatively known simply as angled power strips. Therefore, incorporating the word “right” may often connote the direction from which the strips should plug into an outlet or receptacle.
However, the key thing to remember is that right-angle power strips direct a power cord 90 degrees to an outlet, regardless of its orientation.
Note that some electrical connectors also feature a right-angle design. In such cases, the connector directs a power strip’s cord 90 degrees from the back of an electrical appliance or power display unit (PDU).
When connectors are the focus, a power strip’s cord may be deemed right-angled even if it’s not necessarily so.
Role of Right-Angle Power Strips in Cable Management
Cable entanglement is the bane of modern homes and workplaces. It’s mainly a huge concern for workspaces that require multiple power strips and extension cords, such as data centers.
As already mentioned, having electrical cables strewn across the floor is a significant tripping hazard. Your vulnerable household members, such as the kids and older people, could stumble on the cables and dislocate a bone.
In workplaces, cable accidents can result in employee injuries and expensive lawsuits. Besides, you could suffer major operational disruptions when a coworker trips on a power strip and inadvertently unplugs its cord.
Investing in right-angle power strips can facilitate better cable management, keeping your office floor tidy and organized.
Right-angle power strips feature a more compact L-shaped design, allowing them to plug more snugly into receptacles. This minimizes the chances of dislodging from their sockets even if someone accidentally trips over them.
Comparatively, straight-plug power strips stick out from their receptacles while plugged in. The mid-air protrusions, although only a few inches long, can increase tripping hazards significantly.
Thanks to their innovative designs, right-angle power strips eliminate the need for cable management at the plug points. Instead, the focus shifts entirely to the cord.
If your right-angle power strips are a few feet long, you may bundle the wires together using clippers. Just remember to label each cord clearly to avoid mis-plugging your appliances.
Other Perks of Right-Angle Power Strips
Space Saving
Right-angle power strips consume far less space than their straight-plug counterparts. Again, that has much to do with their design differences.
Right-angle power strips run parallel to the wall or the floor, depending on whether you plug them directly into the wall socket or use them with extension cords. This allows you to inch appliances closer to the wall, saving considerable space for your other devices.
Promote Tidiness
Multiple straight-plug power strips can be difficult to track when massed in a tiny space. The cords would eventually tangle up, making them even riskier to use.
Consider right-angle power strips if you crave a tidy workspace. These strips direct power cords away from wire masses and nearby obstacles, creating a sense of orderliness and professionalism.
Enhance Cord Durability
Using straight-plug power strips in tight spaces can increase cord strain, as they must bend sharply to accommodate more cords. Prolonged strain on your power strip will eventually twist or break the conductor materials, leading to costly replacements.
The best way to avoid these unpleasant surprises is by investing in right-angle power strips. While right-angle power strips may come with a higher price tag than straight-plug strips, they make up for that with their extended durability.
Final Word
Plug and receptacle design shouldn’t be the only consideration while shopping for power strips.
Besides prioritizing right-angle power strips, ensure the product matches the power ratings of the appliances you intend to use. That’s the surest way to optimize the strip’s performance and minimize common electrical malfunctions in your home or workplace.
If you’re in doubt, insist on a power strip with smaller gauge, higher amperage, and higher voltage ratings.
