PC plugged into 10amp extension

Alex MacLaverty · 8 Aug 2020 at 18:34

I currently have my PC, which has a 13amp plug, plugged into a 10amp extension. Will this have any adverse affects on my PC as not very well versed with the whole amp thing?

Am I best off just buying a 13amp extension?

lord filbuster · 8 Aug 2020 at 19:14

No, 10amps is more than enough if it's only the PC and monitor / speakers plugged in. Unless you have an absolute beast of machine it's not going to draw more than about 2 amps at max load.
We have 240v (ish) mains in the UK, so a 1 amp load would be 240w.

The most powerful supply OCUK sell is 2000w, which is still only 8 amps, and to be honest it's such a ludicrously powerful supply I'm not sure you'd be able to put together a system that could actually max it out.

Alex MacLaverty · 8 Aug 2020 at 19:23

Ok that's good to know, games have been crashing recently so wasn't sure if the PSU was drawing enough power from the extension but that's good to know thank you! I wonder why PCs are supplied with a 13amp plug if they only draw 2/3amps at Max load?

EsaT · 8 Aug 2020 at 20:32

Alex MacLaverty said:
I wonder why PCs are supplied with a 13amp plug if they only draw 2/3amps at Max load?

Power cord is common model and can well end up in use for other appliances drawing more power.
And it would probably cost more to have own 2-3A power cord made, than use general power cord made in huge volumes.

Mr Evil · 9 Aug 2020 at 01:10

Alex MacLaverty said:
...I wonder why PCs are supplied with a 13amp plug if they only draw 2/3amps at Max load?

The purpose of the fuse in the plug is to prevent the cable from catching fire in the event of a fault. Therefore it's sized for the cable, not the device the cable is attached to.