Kind of simple question about electrical outlets...

[gopunk]

how many devices can you plug in? i have two electrical outlets... i have a 6-outlet strip plugged into one. into one of the outlets on the strip, i have another 6-outlet strip plugged in. between the two strips, i have like 8-10 devices at any given time. is this dangerous or something?

 

[pulse8]

I think it depends on what the devices are or how big the fuse for the outlet is. I could be completely off, too.

 

[Wallydraigle]

I would think that if you get too much stuff on there for your breaker to handle it would just flick off.

 

[Theslowone]

If they are small devices or don't run a lot then it should be fine, but if you add a lot of heavy duty things together then that is when you have a problem.

In most rooms the outlets are usually connected to the same breaker wich is usually 20 Amps, you go over that and you will trip the breaker, and since 12 solid can take more then that I don't see a problem.

You might also want to use a surge protector instead of a power strip, that would be a lot of devices to go out at one time.

 

[gopunk]

<< I think it depends on what the devices are or how big the fuse for the outlet is. I could be completely off, too. >>



heh yea, i guess i should say... i have a 300W power supply on my computer, and two 19 inch monitors.. desklamp, scanner, ipaq charger, cd player charger, cell phone charger, scanner, 4 spkrs with subwoofer... that's about it.

 

[308nato]

You could have a hundred things plugged in and be OK as long as the amperage isn't to high. You could figure out how many amps you are pulling at any given time between whats operating, but, if you haven't smelled ozone yet your most likely OK. But, as always, what the hell do I know.

 

[pulse8]

I would say that's fine. Then again, I could be wrong.

 

[Theslowone]

I don't see a problem with all that stuff being hooked up, that is if the electric wireing is up to date, but thats just my opinion.

 

[gopunk]

ok good to hear

i'm thinking of revamping my system though, because some times i have to unplug stuff to use other things... i gotta get more outlets!

thanks guys... yea i guess all those small charging devices don't take up too much.

 

[Kelvrick]

I have my fridge, hub, microwave running off of a 6-outlet strip running on a 2pronged brown extension cable.

I have my computer and monitor, tv, and printer running off of a power center plugged into my APC Back-UPS.

 

[me4get]

15-20 Amps total!

 

[Squisher]

Like others have said "as long as you don't exceed the rated amperage.

Common outlets=15 amps

15 amps X 120 volts=1800watts.

Just don't plug don't plug a hair dryer or toaster in there and you'll be all right.

Although I've been know to test the limits

 

[Kwatt]

While most house outlets are connected to a 20 amp breaker most standard outlets are only rated for 15 amps.
The theory is that you are not going to draw the full current load through 1 outlet. There are usually 6-8 outlets on 1-20 amp breaker.

You could have a problem if you drew more than 15 amps for a long period of time. The outlet will over heat and become brittle and crack causing a short.

The list of things you have pluged in does not look like heavy current drawing items.

To find out how much you are using add up the max. amps for every item (look at the name plate data).

If that is more than 80% of the rating of the outlet. You may need to make some changes(I would).

At the very least make sure your smoke detector has fresh batteries!
Practice emergency evacuations from your house and keep a fire extinguisher handy.
These are a good idea anyway.


Kwatt

 

[Gillbot]

The average home outlet is 1800W, all you need to do is total up all the devices that will be running from the outlet and stay below 1800W. Every device has it's rated power draw somewhere on it.

 

[Harvey]

Go to the circuit breaker or fuse box, and count up the amp rating on the fuse or circuit breaker on each circuit. That will tell you the limit for each circuit. For reference, watts = volts x amps, so a 360 watt power supply will draw 3 amps (120 volts x 3 amps = 360 watts).