Mounting a Power Strip or Surge Protector to Keep It Off the Floor
Your power strip or surge protector slides around on the floor collecting dust, gets kicked, and tangles cords. You want it fixed to the wall or mounted under a desk.
Most power strips and surge protectors have keyhole slots molded into the back specifically for mounting, so the job is usually about screwing them to a wall, the underside of a desk, or the back of a cabinet rather than any electrical work. The care goes into placing it where the cords reach comfortably, fastening into something solid, keeping the outlets accessible and the unit's own cord unstrained. Keeping it off the floor reduces dust buildup and the chance of liquid reaching it.
How the job is done
- 1
Choose a location with good cord reach
A spot is selected where the strip's own cord reaches the wall outlet without stretching and where the devices plugged into it can reach comfortably, often under a desk or along a baseboard area.
- 2
Locate the mounting slots and orientation
The keyhole slots on the back of the strip are identified and the unit is oriented so the outlets stay accessible and the cord exits cleanly without a sharp bend.
- 3
Mark and check the surface
The screw positions matching the keyholes are measured and marked, and the surface is checked so screws land in a stud, solid wood, or get appropriate anchors in drywall.
- 4
Set screws and mount the strip
Screws are driven to leave the right gap under the head for the keyhole, anchors are used where there's no stud, and the strip is hung onto the screws and slid to lock in place.
- 5
Dress the cords and test
Cords are routed and secured so they aren't pinched or pulled, the unit's switch and any indicator light are checked, and plugged-in devices are confirmed to power on.
What a pro checks
- Uses the keyhole slots built into the strip rather than improvising a mount
- Positions the unit so its own cord reaches the outlet without strain
- Fastens into a stud or uses anchors rated for the surface in drywall
- Keeps outlets and the reset button accessible after mounting
- Avoids pinching or sharply bending the strip's cord at the exit point
- Keeps the strip off the floor to reduce dust and accidental liquid contact
- Confirms the surge indicator, if present, shows the unit is still protecting
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Frequently asked questions
Can any power strip be wall mounted?
Most have keyhole slots on the back made for mounting. If a strip has no mounting slots, it shouldn't be forced; a strip designed to be mounted is the safer choice for a clean, secure result.
Should the surge protector be plugged into another extension or strip?
No. Surge protectors and power strips should plug directly into a wall outlet, not be daisy-chained together, because chaining them can overload the wiring and defeats the protection.
Does mounting it affect how the surge protection works?
Mounting itself doesn't change the protection. Just keep the outlets and reset button reachable and don't overload the strip beyond its rating, since surge protectors also wear out and eventually need replacing.
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