Daisy chaining electrical extension leads?

Humpty

Humpty

Humpty

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Joined
19 Nov 2003
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984
Hi All. Am just about to pick up a second monitor which means that my 6 gang extension lead (for power) is now full. I have heard before that you can overload electrical sockets but what it the rule of thumb here? :confused: Is it fact or is it an old wive's tale? Should I get a sparky in to add another wall socket or should I just get and 8 or 10 gan extenston (or plug another 6 into the existing ;) ).

Any pointers from those in the know would be appreciated.

btw. If this should be in GH rather than GD then I apologise and respectfully request a generous Don to effect a transfer.
 
As long as the main plug is fused at 13 amps and your appliances don't draw more than 13 amps in total, then you will usually be ok. The worst that can happen is that the main plug fuse will blow, in which case it's telling you that you are drawing too much current and then it's not advisable to daisy chain. FYI I have about 10 appliances running from one socket (xbox 360, AV amp, PC, PS2, Samsung 26" LCD, printer, router, modem, PC speakers) but the combined max draw is no more than 1.5KW (~7 amps).

I think the daisy chaining thing applied to those '3 in one' cube adaptors that never used to be fused therefore by joining more cubes to it would potentially allow more than the 13 amps limit across therefore causing an overload.
 
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It's very easy to neasure current draw. Usually it will state the maximum current draw on the back of the appliance. For example my AV amp states 2A on a sticker by the power input.

A lot of devices will measure draw in power (Watts). Say for example you have a router PSU which states 11W, then you divide 11W by the mains supply 240V which will give you approx 0.05A .

Rarely you will get a device where the power in Amps is only given for the secondary output (only ever applies for transformers). You have an adaptor which is rated at 9v / 2A . Firstly you take the voltage and multiply it by the current. So 9x2 = 18. We have 18 Watts. Now we take 18W and divide it by the supply voltage. 18W / 240V = 0.075A . I would usually add on .20 of an Amp to cover for transformer losses so we have a draw of 0.095A .

HTH
 
splitz said:
It's very easy to neasure current draw. Usually it will state the maximum current draw on the back of the appliance. For example my AV amp states 2A on a sticker by the power input.

A lot of devices will measure draw in power (Watts). Say for example you have a router PSU which states 11W, then you divide 11W by the mains supply 240V which will give you approx 0.05A .

Rarely you will get a device where the power in Amps is only given for the secondary output (only ever applies for transformers). You have an adaptor which is rated at 9v / 2A . Firstly you take the voltage and multiply it by the current. So 9x2 = 18. We have 18 Watts. Now we take 18W and divide it by the supply voltage. 18W / 240V = 0.075A . I would usually add on .20 of an Amp to cover for transformer losses so we have a draw of 0.095A .

HTH
Click to expand...

it's been 230V for a long time now btw :)
 
I get 240 on most occasions where I live, but you're right, it has been 230v for a while. Sorry :)
 
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