Plug Sockets/Power/Fuse Questions.

[Dave_07]

Hey All

Some quick general q's

* How many things you can run off one plug socket ?
My Tipical stuff: computer (with 550w psu), tv, printer, speackers, adapter for plamtop thingy, mi old computer (monitor/psu) etc etc there's lots more..
And a adsl modem is soon to be added.

* How much power (in watts) dose a single plug socket get in the average uk home ?

* Is better to have sommet pluged into an adapter rather than just into the wall plug socket, as eg more fuse's between the appliance and the wall, the better the appliance is protected from power jumps/over-loads etc ?

* Which is better a 13a fuse, 5a fuse or a 3a fuse ?

* Can appliance's interfer with each other when pluged into the same power splitter, eg mi 6 way adapter ?

* Finaly, I'm thinking of pluging my 550w psu computer into a powerlead exstention cable which runs from the plug socket on the other side of the room, to take some of the load off the socket near the comp.
But, that powerlead exstention is quite long, and I was wondering if any of the power will be lost in the length of the cable and affect the amonut of power the comp gets ?

Also, if any of these questions seem abit stupid, it's because I figure if speakers and power cables and... water < for god's sake, can interfear with monitors, then anything go's..

Cheers, Dave.

[5lab]

fuses come in amps mate, not volts

ive run all my kit off a single plug in the past - had 2x10 way adapters, 1x4 and 2x6 with only 3 spare sockets. admittedly it was rare that everything was on, but it still worked. a 550w psu is a bit ott (its not a horrid qtec is it?) but should be fine...

[Dave_07]

Opps sorry I got the A number & the V numbers mixed up..
The text on these plugs is ultra ultra small ! hard to read.

The psu is a GloBalWin psu. I don't know what make the psu is on the old comp, but I think it's about 250/300 watt.

Dave

[Byatt]

Well, considering the maximum that can run through any plug socket with a 13A fuse, the most wattage you can get from a single socket is something like 240x13, which is over 3kW.

As for which fuse to use, that very much depends on the appliance, you might only need a 5 amp fuse to power something that only needs 1kW, or a three amp fuse for lamps, etc, which rarely need more than 500W

Fuses won't really help that much in power surges/spikes, but your equipment is certainly better protected if the splitter you use has surge/spike protection (worth investing in, can save your expensive PSU and equipment from uncertain death)

Plugging devices into the same splitter shouldn't let them interfere which each other, as far as I know, unless the power they consume together exceeds the maximum power the splitter can give out.

Running a cable across a room won't harm the supply your computer gets.

[Jiff Lemon]

Little bit off topic, but spotted something in Maplins that I thought was quite cool.
An intelligent 6-way extension block. You have a master socket that you plug your PC into, your monitors printers and everything else go into the other 5.
The clever bit comes when you switch off your PC - the extension senses the drop in voltage on the master socket, and shuts off power to everything else!

[unrealrocks]

I don't think you got a problem with running alot of stuff off one socket, in my room I have 2 sockets TOTAL. One socket I run a fan heater and use it for soldering irons etc.

The other I run ...
Amp, CD player, Tuner, desklamp, 2nd amp, clock, intercom, PC1, 2, 3, 4, two monitors, networking gear, scanner, and probably many more acessories ... and all off a 3A fuse

[Howard]

Two PCs in here running off one socket (two monitors, two towers, speakers, printer, hub, USB hub, cordless phone, numerous rechargers.

In my bedroom I've got my Amp, DVD, TV, VCR, Freeview, signal booster, Remote sender, Subwoofer amp, remote control charger and clock radio all from one socket.


Anyway,

P = IV

Power (W) = Current (A) X Voltage (V)

So 1000W will be 4A x 250V

Not sure what use that all is, but hey

[Twigman]

* How many things you can run off one plug socket ?
My Tipical stuff: computer (with 550w psu), tv, printer, speackers, adapter for plamtop thingy, mi old computer (monitor/psu) etc etc there's lots more..
And a adsl modem is soon to be added.

Depends what they are. Its the Amps that they draw that is important

* How much power (in watts) dose a single plug socket get in the average uk home ?

Its 13 Amps. (230 x 13 = 2990W if you have to know the Watts). This is pretty much standard. A standard ring will be 30Amps in a home.

* Is better to have sommet pluged into an adapter rather than just into the wall plug socket, as eg more fuse's between the appliance and the wall, the better the appliance is protected from power jumps/over-loads etc ?

No, doubtful really. One fuse (as long as its the right one) will be fine. If there is a problem it will blow. More fuses wont really help the matter. If you are bothered about power surges etc, you can get those multiway adapters from DIY and computer stores, that are built with extra protection, and insurance for £30k of equipment etc.

* Which is better a 13a fuse, 5a fuse or a 3a fuse ?

None are better. It depends on what you are putting it in. Low power devices will only need a low fuse and higher ones need a higher fuse. It should say which one you need on the appliance.

* Can appliance's interfer with each other when pluged into the same power splitter, eg mi 6 way adapter ?

Yes, if you suddenly turn on a kettle, hoover, and hair drying on the same adapter as your computer they will draw more current and this may cause problems to delicate electronis in your computer etc.

* Finaly, I'm thinking of pluging my 550w psu computer into a powerlead exstention cable which runs from the plug socket on the other side of the room, to take some of the load off the socket near the comp.
But, that powerlead exstention is quite long, and I was wondering if any of the power will be lost in the length of the cable and affect the amonut of power the comp gets ?

No not really. They are electricity cables, they are designed to take power down them. There should be no problems unless it is some 99p bargain basement B-grade reject.

Hope that helps

[Howard]

You can go for miles with 240V cable before you start getting degradation. Lol. You won't have any problems at all with length/plugging lots of things in/etc. The amount under my desk and in my room is ridiculous and nothing's caught fire yet.

Just remember when coiling wires up... Do them in a "figure of eight" long shape, NOT wound up circularly. You won't get any inductiveness and possible heating up this way.

[Dave_07]

Phoww, who knew all this stuff could be so complicated
Cheers for all ya post guys
Well here goes...

Posted by Twigman

you can get those multiway adapters from DIY and computer stores, that are built with extra protection, and insurance for £30k of equipment etc.

insurance ? How would that work ? If the comp went bust due to a fault with the adapter then is it the adapter maker who pays out ?
Somehow I can't see that happening.

Posted by Twigman

Its the Amps that they draw that is important

How are they important ? say if the total some of all the things running off an 13A adapter block is more than 13a then will their be probs ?

Posted by Twigman

One fuse (as long as its the right one) will be fine.

So each appliance should be protected by the fuse in the plug then ?
COOL, This is good, as if basically each thing, from a small 2v adapter, all the way upto a 550w computer will protect it's self. I don't need to worry about anything beyonde that then? As the adapter blocks im using atm are pretty much el'cheapo ones. So there isn't realy much point in splashing out on a new adapter block (£2,000 insured) then.

Posted by Byatt

you might only need a 5 amp fuse to power something that only needs 1kW, or a three amp fuse for lamps, etc, which rarely need more than 500W

Lamps use about 500W? that is very close my comps psu's 550w.
Really ? So my whole base unit uses roughly the same amonut of power as a lamp ? lol fact is stranger than fiction

Posted by Byatt

Fuses won't really help that much in power surges/spikes

But aren't fuses meant to stop more than eg 5a/3a/13(depending on the use) flowing through them ?

Cheers again all, Dave.

[Twigman]

Just remember when coiling wires up... Do them in a "figure of eight" long shape, NOT wound up circularly. You won't get any inductiveness and possible heating up this way.

Our teacher at school did this once in a loop, and it all melted the wires and fused together into a platic/copper mush thing, and was terrible. He was a physics teacher...lol. Mind you he was a legend...I could write a book on the cool things he did. Spilling mecury on the carpet and managing the get the hospital onto a medium orange warning and 2 fire crews in breathing apparatus out...Ever dipped your fingers in mecury? No I dont think your allowed to wither...unless he's teaching you...lol. Shame he has retired really he was really intelligent like 2 degrees etc...anyway back on topic...

insurance ? How would that work ? If the comp went bust due to a fault with the adapter then is it the adapter maker who pays out ?
Somehow I can't see that happening.

they are so confident with their equipment that if it does fail they will pay up whatever it says on the box for damaged equipment. I have never actually seen one fail and anyone try to fail but it sounds good.

How are they important ? say if the total some of all the things running off an 13A adapter block is more than 13a then will their be probs ?

yes, they will draw more than the fuse will cope with and the fuse will blow.

So each appliance should be protected by the fuse in the plug then ?
COOL, This is good, as if basically each thing, from a small 2v adapter, all the way upto a 550w computer will protect it's self. I don't need to worry about anything beyonde that then? As the adapter blocks im using atm are pretty much el'cheapo ones. So there isn't realy much point in splashing out on a new adapter block (£2,000 insured) then.

er yeah the fuse will help, but these multiway ones are not that expensive, and you might as well get one as it will save you the hassle if something does go wrong. If you are at all worried about your computer equipment then get one to be on the safe side.

Lamps use about 500W? that is very close my comps psu's 550w.
Really ? So my whole base unit uses roughly the same amonut of power as a lamp ? lol fact is stranger than fiction

Well that depends on the lamp really. You can buy most bulbs in 100W, 60W and 40W "sizes".

But aren't fuses meant to stop more than eg 5a/3a/13(depending on the use) flowing through them ?

Yes they do, but a sudden surge of electricty and it wont "burn out" quick enough.

To me this sounds like you are slightly worried.
http://www.johnlewis.com/stores/prod...rsid=1379&m=-1
is what I have, not really sure how good it is, but for under £10 I'm not that bothered.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...307767-2923031
for £23 you get Lifetime £100,000 Connected Equipment and to insure protection for your connected equipment.
This isn't very expensive really, so just buy one for the peace of mind
Also with all these items, try and spread the load over loads of wall sockets.

[Dave_07]

Cheers twigman I guess your right.
tho, I only just bought these spliters last week lol
The guy at the store is gonna think i'm some kind of
weird adapter collecting idiot lol
Anyway, I've picked out some new adapters from a catalog:
These should be ok right ?

*1x Superior PC Masterplug 4-way trailing socket with built
in telecom circut & Surge protection.
- 4 13amp sockets
- Neon surge indicator
- 2m cable
- £2,000 connected epuip warrenty
- Liftetime guarantee

*1x Superior PC Masterplug 6-way trailing socket,
- Which is exactly the same as the 4 way socket
except for having 6 sokects insted of 4.

I figure i'll spread the load over the two blocks, and
plug em both into different wall sockets.
Man this place is gonna be better protected than
fort nox lol.

ps. what is/are a RFI filter & Safety Thermal fuses, as there
are some other adapters in the catalog that have said features,
but cost alot more.

Cheers, Dave.

[Big RICHARD]

Little bit off topic, but spotted something in Maplins that I thought was quite cool.
An intelligent 6-way extension block. You have a master socket that you plug your PC into, your monitors printers and everything else go into the other 5.
The clever bit comes when you switch off your PC - the extension senses the drop in voltage on the master socket, and shuts off power to everything else!

It won't detect the DROP in voltage, it will detect the INCREASE in voltage across the live and neutral terminals.

What if you go into hibernate or STR? Do you lose your work?

[Howard]

Or it might detect the decrease in load/current drawn from that particular socket..?

[Big RICHARD]

Or it might detect the decrease in load/current drawn from that particular socket..?

Yup!

[directhex]

at a guess, "radio frequency interference filter" for things like mobile phones causing problems, and thermal fuse so that if there's a LOt of heat (e.g. a fire) then power stops