Question:
What with TV, DVD, VCR, amp, sub, CD, tape, Playstation etc, how many plugs is it safe to have running into one socket?
I have a twin wall socket, to each of which a four-way trailing socket is attached. All four sockets on both trailers are used, i.e. eight plugs in total. How safe is that? How do I know what's overload without waiting for burning smells?? :eek:
With the arrangement you have, you should have no problems nor risk. Provided that the wiring is done properly (ie using multiway sockets, rather than a 'stack' of adapters) there is no limit to the number of plugs.
The limit is on the amount of power being drawn by the equipment. Each socket on the wall can supply up to 13 amps (or about 3,000 watts). If you add up the wattage or amperage of the appliances you have connected, and it comes to less than 3,000 (or 13) then you are OK. And you will find that the equipment you use all has relatively low power requirements (typically tens or sometimes hundreds of watts - never thousands). On the other hand, if you plug a fan-heater and a kettle into your setup..............pffffttttt
Thanks LV, good to know I'm not living on the edge.
But a stupid question - I'm using multiway trailing sockets and not a stack of adapters as you say, cos I know stacking adapters like that is not safe, but I don't understand why it's not safe. I mean, the power all comes from the same source in the wall. Oh, that wasn't a question but you know what I mean?!
Sorry for being naive, I must gen up on electrics!
I have a 6-way and a 4-way coming off a 'double-socket' no problems so far and the main trip would go if there was an overload.
Each connection has a resistance, for a good plug / socket this
is negligible - but with a socket thats a bit worn, or dirty you can get a poor contact = high resistance.
The power in a resistor is current squared * resistance.
So if you are taking current and have any resistance in the connection you get power.
Then the connection acts like a little electric heater.
Plus the dirt on the contact is usually flammable - eg. glue from electrical tape, oil or grease.
There is also a risk of sparks at each connection if a wire gets pulled or moved.
On the other hand it's safer to have a lot of equipment plugged into loads of extension leads permantly than keep plugging and unplugging stuf from a single socket.
Martin
I'm going to be getting one of these:
2M 13A 6 WAY ANTI-SURGE/RFI EXTENSION (http://www.ardelectronics.com/order/display.asp?prod=210-00856). Should be far tidier.
Boink!
Excellent stuff Boink! Looks like it is self-powering too. :norty:
Originally posted by nodge56
Excellent stuff Boink! Looks like it is self-powering too. :norty: :lol:
Damn cheap - looks like i'll be getting one as well...
As to answering the topic - I've got about a dozen devices hanging off a double socket and I haven't had a problem yet..
:shocker:
*touches wood*
Originally posted by nodge56
....I don't understand why it's not safeI think mainly because such a stack has a greater likelihood of becoming partly separated which can leave little bits of live plug where you might touch them and/or reduce the amount of metal to metal contact (which can cause overheating).
I have a twin wall socket, to each of which a four-way trailing socket is attached. All four sockets on both trailers are used, i.e. eight plugs in total. How safe is that? How do I know what's overload without waiting for burning smells?? :eek:
Answers:
With the arrangement you have, you should have no problems nor risk. Provided that the wiring is done properly (ie using multiway sockets, rather than a 'stack' of adapters) there is no limit to the number of plugs.
The limit is on the amount of power being drawn by the equipment. Each socket on the wall can supply up to 13 amps (or about 3,000 watts). If you add up the wattage or amperage of the appliances you have connected, and it comes to less than 3,000 (or 13) then you are OK. And you will find that the equipment you use all has relatively low power requirements (typically tens or sometimes hundreds of watts - never thousands). On the other hand, if you plug a fan-heater and a kettle into your setup..............pffffttttt
Answers:
Thanks LV, good to know I'm not living on the edge.
But a stupid question - I'm using multiway trailing sockets and not a stack of adapters as you say, cos I know stacking adapters like that is not safe, but I don't understand why it's not safe. I mean, the power all comes from the same source in the wall. Oh, that wasn't a question but you know what I mean?!
Sorry for being naive, I must gen up on electrics!
Answers:
I have a 6-way and a 4-way coming off a 'double-socket' no problems so far and the main trip would go if there was an overload.
Answers:
Each connection has a resistance, for a good plug / socket this
is negligible - but with a socket thats a bit worn, or dirty you can get a poor contact = high resistance.
The power in a resistor is current squared * resistance.
So if you are taking current and have any resistance in the connection you get power.
Then the connection acts like a little electric heater.
Plus the dirt on the contact is usually flammable - eg. glue from electrical tape, oil or grease.
There is also a risk of sparks at each connection if a wire gets pulled or moved.
On the other hand it's safer to have a lot of equipment plugged into loads of extension leads permantly than keep plugging and unplugging stuf from a single socket.
Martin
Answers:
I'm going to be getting one of these:
2M 13A 6 WAY ANTI-SURGE/RFI EXTENSION (http://www.ardelectronics.com/order/display.asp?prod=210-00856). Should be far tidier.
Boink!
Answers:
Excellent stuff Boink! Looks like it is self-powering too. :norty:
Answers:
Originally posted by nodge56
Excellent stuff Boink! Looks like it is self-powering too. :norty: :lol:
Damn cheap - looks like i'll be getting one as well...
As to answering the topic - I've got about a dozen devices hanging off a double socket and I haven't had a problem yet..
:shocker:
*touches wood*
Answers:
Originally posted by nodge56
....I don't understand why it's not safeI think mainly because such a stack has a greater likelihood of becoming partly separated which can leave little bits of live plug where you might touch them and/or reduce the amount of metal to metal contact (which can cause overheating).
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