Table of Contents
All the important questions you have about extension cords and treadmills, we have the answers. Here are some frequently asked questions you might have.
If you are looking for a extension cord for your treadmill, see our list.
Treadmill
What should I plug my treadmill into?
You should plug your treadmill into a dedicated 20 amp circuit, protecting yourself and the machine.
What kind of surge protector do you need for a treadmill?
You need a surge protector rated for your treadmill, it depends whether it will be wall-mounted or just an extension cord surge protector.
Should I put something under my treadmill?
Yes, you should put something under your treadmill, especially if you have static electricity problems. A treadmill mat will protect your floor and machine, dampen vibrations and noise of running and, stop static electricity built up.
Does treadmill use a lot of electricity?
A treadmill uses between 600 to 700 watts.
Cord
What Should I Plug My Treadmill Into?
The best thing to plug your treadmill into is a sturdy wall outlet or surge protector. A grounded wall outlet is the best thing you can use for your treadmill because it minimizes the risk of overheating cords and potential power surges.
Similarly, a surge protector will help ensure that your treadmill does not pose any fire hazard to your home while in use. Finding one durable enough to withstand the power of a treadmill will help keep your appliance running and your home safe.
If you have to use an extension cord, consider the options already discussed before you make any purchases.
What kind of extension cord/surge protector to use with a treadmill?
A heavy-duty extension cord is the best option because it is designed for heavy loads. Surge protector on the other hand you want to get one that is on par with your treadmills specs.
Is it safe to use a long extension cord with a treadmill?
Yes and no, the most important thing is if the cord is rated for your treadmill specs. You don’t want a cable that is too long.
If you need a cord longer than six feet make sure it’s not bunched up or coiled because that’s how cables heat up and start fires.
Plug
The third prong on my treadmill’s cord fell out. Is it still safe to use?
No, it is not safe to use. If the cable shorts out, you could get shocked and even electrocuted. However, it will work, and if you still use it like that and don’t change the plug, think about some other precautions.
Use a GFCI outlet or a breaker it will protect you against shocks. Changing the plug is still the best option, you can even do it your self.
Do’s & Don’ts
Can I plug my treadmill into a regular outlet?
Yes, you can plug your treadmill into a regular outlet, some times the device can trip GFCI. Some treadmills are intended to have a dedicated circuit. Other than that, it should work fine.
Can I Use Extension Cords for My Treadmill?
You may use an extension cord for your treadmill. However, it’s generally recommended that you avoid using extension cords if possible. There are safe ways to use an extension cord with your treadmill if necessary.
If you need an extension cord for your treadmill, you must keep a few things in mind before making any final decisions. An extension cord for a treadmill should:
- Handle at least 15 amps
- Be grounded with three prongs
- Share the thickness of the treadmill’s power cord
- Not be longer than six feet
Can a treadmill be plugged into a power strip?
It would be best not to use a regular power strip with a treadmill. If you have a surge protector, you can plug your treadmill into that. Otherwise, it should only be plugged into a grounded outlet.
A power strip and surge protector might look similar, but they are quite different in function. The surge protector offers security from dangerous power surges that regular power strips cannot provide.
Treadmills draw a lot of power, so the risk of damage is very high when you use alternative power methods like extension cords and power strips. Considering these things is vital before you risk damaging your cords, treadmill, or home.
Why do you need a surge protector for a treadmill?
You need a surge protector to protect your treadmill. A power surge can break the device a surge protector negates that.
Circuit Breakers
How many amps does treadmill use?
A treadmill usually requires a 20-amp circuit. Most treadmills made for home use can tolerate 15 amps at the very least.
They also use between 600 and 700 watts and are meant to be plugged into a 120-volt outlet.
Can I safely add a treadmill and refrigerator to a wall outlet without tripping circuit breakers?
It depends. If the outlet is protected by a 20 amp circuit breaker you should be able to run both. If they trip the breaker, the devices are drawing too much power. You can also check this beforehand.
Find the amperage of the devices and add them together. Find the circuit breaker amperage. If the added amps are higher, it won’t work.
Why is my circuit breaker buzzing when I use my treadmill?
The circuit breaker could be buzzing because it’s overloaded, meaning the treadmill needs more power than it can provide. The outlet itself could be the reason, be it old age or just a fault in the wiring. Either way, the best course of action is to get an electrician to look at it.
Why does my treadmill not work with my ARC plugs?
Treadmills often don’t work well with ARC fault breakers. Unfortunately, a surge protector won’t help the only thing that will is changing the ARC breaker with a regular one.
Electric shocks
What causes the electric shock when using a treadmill?
The two main culprits for electric shocks from a treadmill are electricity from the treadmill and static electricity.
Electricity from your treadmill is dangerous and can hurt or even kill you. It can happen because of anything from not being grounded to a short-circuiting wire.
Static electricity is nothing more than the rubber belt rubbing on the plastic of the treadmill.
How can electric shock on a treadmill be prevented?
Static electricity is the main reason for electric shocks, use some silicone treadmill lubricant to stop it. You can also get a rubber mat and put it under the treadmill, and/or connect a wire to the metal frame of the device and then some other metal surface in the house (like a pipe).
For an actual grounding problem, there are two things you can do. Check your cord to see if it has all three pins on both sides, missing a grounding pin might be the reason for the shocks. If you know how to use a multimeter, check the cable with it. If it is working and it’s not the outlet. The problem is in the treadmill itself.
Hot Plug
Why is the electric plug of my treadmill heating up?
Your treadmill electric plug could be heating up for multiple reasons: dirt on the plug, a bad pin, or a problem with the cord. If none is the culprit, it’s time to get somebody to check on the machine.
How can I find out why my treadmill’s electric plug is heating up?
There are a few easy steps to see where the problem is coming from. You will need an extension cord or a splitter rated for the load. You plug in the cord in the outlet your treadmill was plugged into and, plug the device into the cable. Use the treadmill while keeping track of the cords (you don’t want to burn your house down).
- The treadmill plug is hot: the problem is the treadmill plug.
- The extension cord/splitter is hot: the problem is the wall outlet.
- Both plugs are hot: the treadmill is drawing too much current and your fuse or circuit breaker is not working.
- Neither plug is hot: the issue is the connection between the treadmill plug and the outlet, most likely the outlet’s fault. If you can try a different outlet to make sure.
How do I fix my treadmill plug heating up?
Fixing the heating treadmill plug depends on the reason for the heating. If the problem is the treadmill’s plug, replacing it is the best way forward. If it’s the wall outlet, replace it.
If both plugs are hot, it’s most likely the treadmill drawing too much current, and you should probably get an electrician to deal with that. However, if neither plugs are hot, the problem is likely the outlet that should be changed.
Not working
Why Did My Treadmill Stop Working?
There are multiple reasons a treadmill might stop working. Some treadmills automatically turn off if the friction between the belt and the device is too high use silicone treadmill lubricant to fix it.
Another problem is cord damage, check the cable for damage, and change it if you find any. If your treadmill has a circuit breaker, check it and reset it.
If it’s none of the above, it might be time to get a professional the problem is most likely inside.
Why is my treadmill tripping the breaker?
Treadmills trip the breaker because they use the ground prong to let out the build-up of static electricity. That’s the reason they don’t work well with GFCI.
How do I stop my treadmill from tripping the breaker?
You can use a 50/100 feet 14 gauge extension cord to plug your treadmill into that and then to the outlet. If it works it’s an interface problem that can be fixed (DO NOT USE IT LIKE THAT). The only way to fix this problem if it is not the interface is to move to a different outlet, possibly an outlet without GFCI.