power cord plugins

[Raybdbomb]

Alright I'm not exactly sure what it's called that I'm looking for, so please bear with me. Here's my deal.

I have 6 computers, 5 monitors, 5 speaker sets, 1 scanner and 3 printers around 3 outlets. Right now they're daisy chained and tangled up everywhere, but I need essentially about 30 plugin slots for power.

I need to 'redecorate' my computer area. I want to order where there is chaos right now. I don't know if there are some brands better than others or not, but as I understand it there are some factors when buying these "8 to 1" power plugin adapter thingy (again, sorry I'm not exactly sure what it's called).

So can anyone link me up with a nicely priced, reliable, {insert other desirable comment you think is required here}, power power extension thing.

Thanks in advance

 

[Zepper]

Cyberguys.com have some short AC dongles with one or more taps and you can probably get them cheaper at places like allelectronics.com or computergate.com. And you can get eight outlet power strips from any big box store (walmart, kmart, home depot, staples etc. Just be sure not to overload your wall/outlet and/or breaker circuit.
.bh.

 

[Raybdbomb]

So you're saying that brand and/or technical specs don't matter much when it comes to power strips (thanks for filling in the blank)

 

[Zepper]

NOTE! I said power strips NOT surge protectors. I get one good surge protector from a reliable brand like APC, TrippLIte, et al. and then I use ordinary power strips (less than $2. apiece) to expand the number of availabe outlets (for wall warts, etc.) off the surge protector.
.bh.

:sun:

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

all surge protecors have a rating of how much of a surge they can handle displayed on the front of the box somewhere. i forget what it's measured in but it's there. also a quality brand mentioned above is probly better than a cheapo that says it can handle more of a surge.

on another note, i hope those three outlets are on different fuses cause that is a lot of power

 

[dullard]

I really wouldn't suggest trying to plug all that of of one surge protector. Unless you have a really good heavy duty one, I don't think they are designed for that sort of load. The least you could do is get 3 good surge protectors (one each for your 3 outlets) and that should give you enough spots to plug in your stuff.

But with all that, have you thought of investing in a quality KVM switch? I can't imagine the typical person using 5 monitors all at once... Of course you may have decent reasons for it.

Another option: it likely won't cost very much to get your room wired properly with enough outlets to do all you want.

 

[Raybdbomb]

@Zepper: So just look for a good brand and I should be alright? have any links for me?

@iwantanewcomputer: they're on the same fuse. nothing i can do about it, it's how the house came and it's not going to change anytime soon. also, do you have any links for good products for price?

@dullard: well the goal was to have it spread out as equally as possible. i'm pretty sure that they are all on the same fuse...

thanks for your help guys

 

[Kwatt]

Originally posted by: Raybdbomb

@iwantanewcomputer: they're on the same fuse. nothing i can do about it, it's how the house came and it's not going to change anytime soon. also, do you have any links for good products for price?

@dullard: well the goal was to have it spread out as equally as possible. i'm pretty sure that they are all on the same fuse...

thanks for your help guys

If you have standard house wiring each outlet is rated for 15 amps.
With a total of 20 amps for all outlets on that circuit.
You should not carry a full time load more than 80%.(20 * 0.8 = 16)

6 computers and 5 monitors are going to need more than that.

I recommend you add one more circuit (at the very least) to the area.

If you have to use all that on 1 circuit:
1. Spread it among the 3 outlets as much as possible.(this may postpone your coming problems)
2. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
3. Make sure your fire insurance is paid up.


The wiring in the wall is being over heated if carrying the load listed.
It is going to fail. Maybe tommorow,maybe next week, maybe next year, or maybe tonight while you sleep. If you have a fuse box you may be a little safer. If you have a breaker box don't depend on it to save you. Like hard drives there are only 2 kinds of breakers, those that have failed and those that are going to.




Kwatt

 

[Raybdbomb]

Thanks for the advice. They're not all on at the same time, I usually have 2-3 on at any one time. The only time they're all used is Sundays, and we're all there in case of fire.

So maybe I'll just do that. Get some power strips and split it up equally.

thanks

 

[LeadMagnet]

You can get these 6 foot long (not including cable) powerstrips from HomeDepot for $18 with a dozen or so plugs on it.


24 outlets ,15amp, 6feet long


A bunch of differnt ones

You may want to think about plugging the PC's into a UPS(s) and the rest into one of the above power strips.

 

[Raybdbomb]

thanks for the suggestion. I think i'll pick up 3 of the first one today, along with some twist ties today.