# How to Choose an Extension Cord (延長線) in Taiwan: Check the Inspection Mark, Rated Power, Overload Protection and Switches

Last updated: October 20, 2026
選品索引 ChoiceIndex — https://choiceindex.tw/en/

An extension cord lets you plug multiple devices into one wall outlet, but it does not increase the amount of power available. Whether it has three sockets or six, the total current you can use is limited by the rating printed on the cord, and also by the wall outlet and wiring behind it. Buying the wrong one, plugging in too much, or connecting a high-power appliance are common reasons an extension cord overheats or even starts a fire. This guide explains 5 things to check before you buy, safety rules for using it, and what to watch for if you brought devices from home and use a plug adapter together with an extension cord.

## First, Understand: More Sockets Does Not Mean More Power

The rating on an extension cord (for example 15A, 1650W) is the limit for the whole cord added together, not for each socket separately. The labeled wattage of everything you use at the same time should not add up to more than the wattage printed on the cord. For high-power appliances such as heaters, hair dryers, electric kettles, rice cookers, and ovens, plug them directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord. An extension cord is meant for temporary, supplementary use, not as permanent wiring.

## 5 Things to Check on an Extension Cord

| What to check | What to look at | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection mark and registration number | Look for the product inspection mark (BSMI) and a registration number and model on the product or its label. If the shop page lists a number, check it again against the marking on the product when it arrives | The shop says it is certified, but the product you receive has no marking, so you cannot tell whether it is the same model |
| Rated voltage, current, and power | Check the rated voltage, current, and power (often 15A and 1650W). The labeled wattage of what you use at the same time should not add up to more than this. Use the numbers printed on the product itself, and do not rely on converting them from memory | Plugging in several devices that together use more power than the cord can handle, so the outlet and cable get hot |
| Overload protection | Check whether it has overload protection, a feature that cuts the power automatically when the current goes above the rated value. This is one of the conditions recommended in the national standards bureau's buying guide. It does not mean you can ignore the rating, so keep within the rated power when you use it | No overload protection, so there is no last safeguard when a plug or cable overheats |
| Individual switches | A model with individual switches lets you turn off one socket at a time, so you do not have to keep pulling plugs. Check that the switches click firmly and do not feel loose | Only one master switch, so to turn off one device you pull its plug, and the plugs end up loose |
| Cord length, plug, and socket layout | Measure the length you need and do not buy a very long cord and coil it up while in use. Check whether the plug is 2-pin or 3-pin (with a ground pin), and that it matches your device and the wall outlet. Also think about whether big plugs or power adapters will block the neighboring sockets | A cord that is too long and left coiled up cannot shed heat well; a big plug blocks the next socket |

There is no single "best" extension cord. First estimate the total wattage you will use at the same time, then check whether the rated power on the cord is enough, and only then look at the number of sockets, cord length, and switch type. This page is only a buying guide, not electrician advice or a safety standard. If you are unsure, follow the label on the product and its manual, or ask a qualified electrician.

## Comparing Common Types of Extension Cords

| Type | Features | Who it is for | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| One master switch | One switch controls the whole cord | People whose devices in one area are turned on and off together (for example a computer, monitor, and printer) | To turn off just one device, you have to pull its plug |
| Individual switches (one per socket) | Each socket has its own switch, so you can cut power to one at a time | People with many devices who do not want to keep pulling plugs | Check that the switches work firmly; the total rated power still cannot be exceeded |
| 2-pin or 3-pin (with ground pin) | A 3-pin plug has an extra ground pin, and the cord needs a matching grounded socket | People whose devices have 3-pin plugs | Do not break off the ground pin or force a 3-pin plug into a 2-pin socket |
| Number of sockets (3, 4, 6, ...) | More sockets means more devices can be connected at once | People who connect a computer, monitor, chargers, and so on at once | More sockets does not mean more power; the total rated power is the limit |

## Safety When Using an Extension Cord

- **Keep the total within the rating** — The labeled wattage of devices used at the same time should not add up to more than the wattage on the cord. Be especially careful with high-power appliances: do not run several of them on the same cord at once.
- **Do not connect high-power appliances** — Heaters, hair dryers, electric kettles, rice cookers, ovens, and microwaves use a lot of power. Plug them directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord.
- **Do not chain extension cords** — Do not plug one extension cord into another, or connect several in a row. The cables and outlet may carry more current than they can handle.
- **Do not use it coiled up** — Pull the whole cord out straight when it is in use. A coiled cord under load can overheat. Do not run it under heavy objects, a door, or a carpet.
- **Plug in firmly, stop if it gets hot** — A loose plug can heat up and even spark. If it feels hot, smells burnt, or the casing changes color or shape, unplug it right away and stop using it.
- **Keep away from damp places and children** — Do not use it in a bathroom or next to a sink. Keep it out of reach of children and do not let pets chew on it.
- **For temporary use** — An extension cord is for temporary, supplementary use. If you need many outlets for a long time, ask your employer, landlord, or a qualified electrician about adding outlets.

## If You Brought Devices From Home

- **An extension cord does not change the voltage** — Household outlets in Taiwan are 110V. If the INPUT range on a device label does not include 110V (for example, a label that says only 220V or 230V), do not use it just because the plug fits. Neither an extension cord nor a plug adapter can fix a voltage difference.
- **With an adapter and an extension cord, respect both limits** — When you use a plug adapter together with an extension cord, the whole line can only handle what the weaker of the two can. If the adapter does not list a rated current and power, treat it as suitable only for low-power devices such as phone and laptop chargers, and do not connect high-power heating appliances.
- **Do not stack an adapter on an extension cord** — Avoid stacking adapters and extension cords layer on layer. Use only one adapter at a time, and plug it directly into a wall outlet for a more secure connection.
- **Read your device's own label** — Whether a device can be used with an extension cord, and whether several can be used together, depends on its label and manual. If you are unsure, ask your employer, landlord, or a qualified electrician instead of guessing.

## Searching on Shopee Taiwan: Chinese Keywords and What They Mean

Shopee Taiwan uses Chinese, so searching in English usually returns nothing useful. Copy the keywords below and paste them into the Shopee search box.

| Keyword / text (Chinese) | Pinyin | Meaning | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 延長線 / 電源延長線 | yáncháng xiàn / diànyuán yáncháng xiàn | extension cord / power extension cord | The most common search keyword |
| 過載保護 | guòzài bǎohù | overload protection | Cuts the power when the current is too high. A feature to look for |
| 獨立開關 | dúlì kāiguān | individual switches | Each socket has its own switch |
| 3開3插 / 4開4插 / 6開6插 | sān kāi sān chā / sì kāi sì chā / liù kāi liù chā | 3 switches and 3 sockets / 4 switches and 4 sockets / 6 switches and 6 sockets | How many sockets and switches the cord has |
| 1650W / 15A | yīqiān liùbǎi wǔshí wǎ / shíwǔ ānpéi | 1650 watts / 15 amps | A common rating for extension cords in Taiwan. Check the number printed on the product itself |
| BSMI / 商品檢驗標識 | shāngpǐn jiǎnyàn biāoshì | BSMI / product inspection mark | Check the mark and number on the product when it arrives |
| 額定功率 | édìng gōnglǜ | rated power | The maximum total power. What you use at the same time must not exceed it |
| 線長 1.8M | xiàn cháng yī diǎn bā mǐ | cord length 1.8 m | How long the cord is |
| 免運 | miǎnyùn | free shipping | There is usually a minimum order amount |
| 月銷熱賣 | yuè xiāo rèmài | best sellers this month | A sorting option in Shopee Taiwan search results (the display name may change), useful for finding what many people buy |

Brand names on packaging are usually in Chinese too. If you are not sure, use your phone's camera translation (for example Google Translate) on the packaging or the product page and compare it with the table above. This list is only a keyword guide, not an official translation, and the text on a product page may differ.

> **Show this to the shop staff, or paste it into the Shopee chat**
>
> 請問有獨立開關的延長線嗎？ (Qǐngwèn yǒu dúlì kāiguān de yáncháng xiàn ma?) — Do you have an extension cord with individual switches?
> 這條延長線有過載保護嗎？ (Zhè tiáo yáncháng xiàn yǒu guòzài bǎohù ma?) — Does this extension cord have overload protection?
> 這條延長線的額定功率是多少？ (Zhè tiáo yáncháng xiàn de édìng gōnglǜ shì duōshǎo?) — What is the rated power of this extension cord?

> This page is a consumer guide, not a paid review of a specific product. The link below is a Shopee affiliate link. If you buy through it, we may receive a small commission. The price you pay does not change.

### FONGHUA Extension Cord with Individual Switches, 3-Prong (3 switches / 4 switches / 6 switches, 1.8 m)

Shopee listing information (shown on October 20, 2026; prices and promotions may change): a Shopee-operated (official) listing with 30,000+ sold and about 17,000 reviews with a 5.0-star rating (we only quote these and have not checked them one by one, so treat them as a reference). The shop shows "official, eco-friendly no-packaging". Product information (shop's description, not independently verified by us): made in Taiwan, 3-pin flat plug, 1.8 m (6 ft) cord; three options with 3, 4, or 6 sockets and switches; listed voltage AC110V 60Hz and rating "AC125V / 15A / 1650W MAX"; overload protection listed as "15A fuseless automatic cut-off switch"; also lists individual switches and fire-resistant PC material; BSMI registration number R53951; 12-month warranty (supplier warranty). Before you buy: the listing shows both 110V and 125V for the voltage, and we did not check the registration number ourselves in the national standards bureau's system, so when it arrives check the inspection mark and rating printed on the product itself. The shop lists the item as no-packaging, so read the marking directly on the product. When you use it, still stay within the listed power. Compare the shop's information with the item you actually receive. We do not give electrician or safety advice.

[View product / buy on Shopee →](https://s.shopee.tw/9067s4nPas)

## Quick Checklist Before You Buy

- Inspection mark and number? → If the shop lists one, check it again against the marking on the product when it arrives
- Rated voltage, current, and power? → The labeled wattage of what you use at the same time should not add up to more than this
- Overload protection? → Check the shop's listing, and still stay within the rated power when you use it
- Do you want individual switches? → Worth considering if you have many devices and do not want to keep pulling plugs
- Length, plug, and socket layout right? → Measure the length, check whether your devices are 2-pin or 3-pin, and whether big plugs block the next socket
- When using it? → Keep the total wattage within the rating, do not chain cords, do not connect high-power appliances, and stop if it is hot or smells burnt

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Does more sockets mean I can use more electricity?**
No. The rated current and power on the cord (for example 15A and 1650W) is the limit for the whole cord. More sockets only means more devices can be connected at once. The labeled wattage of devices used at the same time should not add up to more than the wattage on the cord.

**Can I plug a heater, hair dryer, or rice cooker into an extension cord?**
These devices use a lot of power, so it is better to plug them directly into a wall outlet. If you really have to, first check that the cord's rated power is higher than the device's power, and do not plug in other devices at the same time. If you are unsure, ask a qualified electrician.

**Can I plug an extension cord into another extension cord?**
It is not recommended. Chained cords and outlets may carry more current than they can handle and overheat. Use one cord that is long enough instead of connecting several in a row.

**Can I use a plug adapter together with an extension cord?**
Low-power chargers (phones and laptops whose label includes 110V in the INPUT range) can be used, but you must respect both limits. If the adapter does not list a rated current and power, treat it as suitable only for low-power devices, and do not connect high-power heating appliances. Also do not stack adapters layer on layer on an extension cord.

**What should I do if the extension cord gets hot or smells burnt?**
Unplug it right away and stop using it. Possible reasons include too many devices or a device that uses too much power, a loose plug with poor contact, or an old or poor-quality cable. Do not keep using it, and do not open it yourself.

**What does "overload protection" mean?**
It is a feature that cuts the power automatically when the current goes above the rated value. It is one of the conditions worth looking for when you buy, but it does not mean you can use more than the rating, so you still need to keep an eye on the total power.

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