タコ足あし配はい線せん

also: たこあしはいせん

タ

コ

あ

し

は

い

せ

ん

Meanings

1

noun

octopus wiring; daisy-chained power strips; overloaded outlet

Refers to the dangerous practice of plugging many devices into a single outlet using multiple power strips or adapters, resembling an octopus's legs. Often used in safety warnings.

タコ足あし配はい線せんは火か災さいの原げん因いんになるのでやめましょう。

Avoid octopus wiring because it can cause a fire.

このオフィスはタコ足あし配はい線せんだらけで危あぶない。

This office is full of overloaded outlets and is dangerous.

Kanji

足leg, foot, be sufficient
配distribute, spouse, exile
線line, track
蛸octopus

Related words

たこ足あし
Literally 'octopus legs'; used metaphorically for branching or spreading out. タコ足配線 specifically refers to electrical wiring.
電でん源げんタップ
A power strip or surge protector. タコ足配線 describes the unsafe practice of overusing such devices.

Written forms

タコ足あし配はい線せん
Most common spelling; uses katakana for タコ and kanji for the rest.
蛸たこ足あし配はい線せん
Kanji spelling for 蛸 is less common but still seen.
たこ足あし配はい線せん
Mixed hiragana-kanji spelling; sometimes used in informal writing.
たこあしはいせん

Etymology

Compound of タコ (octopus) + 足 (legs) + 配線 (wiring), from the visual resemblance of many cords branching from one outlet to an octopus's legs.