Is it safe to plug a timer into an extension lead?

[kjharve]

Hi,

I have a fish tank which needs four plugs, all of which are plugged into an extension lead due to the location of the tank. All is fine. However, I would like to put the lights on a timer so that they come on at 9am and go off at 9pm.

Is it safe to plug one of those plug-in timers into an extension lead? It's one of the mechanical ones with a peg for each 15 minute interval. Sorry for the lack of technical language!

Any advice appreciated,

Kev

 

[Adam_151]

Yes, perfectly acceptable as long as it will fit (some leads, especially those four way ones for computers, etc, don't have much room around the sockets and if you have anything plugged in adjacent to where you want to put a timer, etc, the timer will catch on it and not fit)

 

[Diyisfun]

The timer plugged into an extension lead is about as safe as 4 items running from an extension lead. Yes

 

[kjharve]

Great, thanks.

P.S. - Who do I sue if it blows up and kills all by fish????? *JOKE*

 

[JohnD]

The things you have to be careful about, with a timer, are heating appliances like fan heaters and (do they still exist?) electric fires. When they are off, people might stand then against furniture, or come home drunk and drop their coats on them. Later, when the heater is unattended, it switches on by the timer and starts a fire.