Running a plug extension into a plug extension.

Drake5

Drake5

Drake5

Soldato
Joined
12 Dec 2005
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This may seem like a silly question, but is it safe to run a plug extension into another plug extension, both of which are 5 way and all sockets occupied?

Cheers
 
This is kinda related to the 4-way / 6-way extension cables: you know those plug cubes that you put into a socket and it lets you plug a few devices into it? I'm told that they are a lot more dangerous in terms of load and should be avoided in favour of the plug extensions.
 
Monserrat said:
This is kinda related to the 4-way / 6-way extension cables: you know those plug cubes that you put into a socket and it lets you plug a few devices into it? I'm told that they are a lot more dangerous in terms of load and should be avoided in favour of the plug extensions.
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Yeah those block plug extensions are supposed to be notoriously bad. I don't know why, but I've always heard they should be avoided.
 
Block plug extensions ARE notoriously bad due to causing numerous fires in the 70's and 80's. All to easily overloaded, prone to melting and going on fire. Not too sure if they are now fitted with fuses but they are best left alone.

As a rule, never plug one extension into another. All you are doing is running the risk of overloading the wall socket and potentially the extensions too.
 
In my experience I wouldnt recommend it. I have seen first hand the damage that a 3KW heater plugged into the end of a daisy chained extention can do and to be honest it was lucky it was during the day when the office was occupied and we were able to get to it quickly since I wouldnt like to think about what would have happened if that wasnt the case. The actually plug of the heater was rather ok apart from the fact that the extention lead has melted onto the plug and we couldnt get it out. It was also VERY hot and I would imagine it would have easily caught fire given more time.

All that being said if your load is like people have said below the 13amps for the socket then you should be fine, although I would avoid what Tomsk said he does..
 
Tomsk said:
From one wall socket, I'm feeding 8 extensions, with 24 devices.
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Sounds pretty close to what I used to do. One socket in the room. About six four or six way extensions plugged off it to run the various electronics I had. Fun it was I tell ya ;)

Same room now has six double sockets :)
 
I have an extreme socket shortage in my house, so I only daisy chain the really low power devices or ones that won't be used at the same time like printers, ip phones, phone chargers, etc. That way I'm pretty much certain not to overload the socket. Maybe try to order your devices like that?
 
I have one double socket in my room. From one socket I have a 6 way extension lead powering light, telephone, radio alarm, harmony charger, laptop charger and mobile charger, then from the other socket I have a 4 way extension, off this is my air cooler and then 2 x 6 way extensions and a 4 way extension. These 16 sockets have my TV, server, HTPC, printer, DAS, amp, monitor, sky HD box, Blu-ray player, PS3, router and 5 port gigabit switch.

Been running like this for over 2 years and not a single problem.

Edit -

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