plug overload!

[ccole]

hi everyone

I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and manged to sort it out!

I have 14 plugs coming from two tanks that sit next to each other, on the same wall. The problem being that i have only one plug socket in the wall.

I am unable to get an extension lead that has more than 10 sockets, so am having to attach one extension lead to another... which is a fire risk that i am not happy about but i have no other option that i am aware of.

Has anyone got any ideas that would help?

 

[Brengun]

Make sure you primary power board has a safety cut off switch so if it draws more than 2400 watts of power, it will turn itself off.

Further boards plugged into the original are ok, just make sure you don't have a heat build up around them and there is good ventilation.

I once had an entire fishroom and 13 powerboards all originating from one point. I did pay extra money though to make sure that primary board was exceptional quality and yes if I did overload the circuit, that powerboard would click itself off.

 

[ccole]

cheers bre- how do i know if it does have a cut off switch- actually the electric does cut off if we turn on to meny lights some times, would this be the cut off your talking about?
sorry for being simple!
cc

 

[Theus]

I work with electrical a lot and electric cutting off with to many lights on should be your circuit breaker. What Bre is referring too I think if having your power strip with a built in safety breaker such as a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter).

Just for an example -
http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/model.cfm?txtModelID=3673&gclid=COzY3bbT_q8CFcIUKgodYVcHcg

I have 12 plugs all running off one outlet, but the cord coming from the outlet is a thicker 10 gauge cord to prevent overheating and then plugged into my power strip. If your running off any smaller cords like a normal household extension cord..you will want to change that. Smaller the cord, better chance of overheating. Hope this helps.

 

[ccole]

thanks theus-
i think i'm getting it- only problem being when i look on the internet at in formation about ground fault circuit interrupter's it's all american and im in the uk.
any idea what the uk version would be?
again this may be silly question so apologies!

 

[Theus]

I could be mistaken but I believe in UK they are called residual-current device or RCD.

Example?

http://lucia1003.en.ec21.com/Power_Strip_with_RCD--2099488_3939596.html

 

[ccole]

is this the same thing?
http://www.mr-resistor.co.uk/item.aspx?&t=844&r=846&i=7366
thanks again

 

[Theus]

Same principle, plug that into your outlet and plug your power strips into that I think you'd be fine.

 

[ccole]

I had a look at some sites about the power you can put through a singal socket and A British 13 amp electrical socket is designed to work on loads of up to 13 amps. As the voltage is 240 volts, that works out at 3120 watts. (240v x 13a = 3120w). That's the available capacity, so for most practical purposes you can plug in anything so long as the total power of all the appliances plugged in at once isn't more than 3120 watts.

i found a Belkin SurgeMaster, 1-Way RCD SurgeCube and will be buying that just in case!!

Thank you so much for your help. Can finally stop the other half having a break down!

respects
cc

 

[Lornek8]

I had a look at some sites about the power you can put through a singal socket and A British 13 amp electrical socket is designed to work on loads of up to 13 amps. As the voltage is 240 volts, that works out at 3120 watts. (240v x 13a = 3120w). That's the available capacity, so for most practical purposes you can plug in anything so long as the total power of all the appliances plugged in at once isn't more than 3120 watts.

i found a Belkin SurgeMaster, 1-Way RCD SurgeCube and will be buying that just in case!!

Thank you so much for your help. Can finally stop the other half having a break down!

respects
cc

It depends on the fuse/circuit breaker in the breaker panel. If the socket design only handles 13A then the circuit breaker is probably 10A or thereabouts. Its not typically the wattage but the amperage that causes the breaker to trip. Thus the rating on the fuse/breaker.

 

[ccole]

:fr::fr::fr::re::fr::huh:hmy:hmy::-/:-/:-/:wacko::s:blink::blink::blink::blink:

totally lost me- so how would what you said be able to be applied practically... or what should i look at to confirm or deny what you said, or doeswhat you say mean it is pointles buying the product?

:fr::fr::fr::re::fr::huh:hmy:hmy::-/:-/:-/:wacko::s:blink::blink::blink::blink:

like i said electric is not really my thing

thank you so much for all input....i need the help as i am sure you have figured out!!!

 

[Lornek8]

:fr::fr::fr::re::fr::huh:hmy:hmy::-/:-/:-/:wacko::s:blink::blink::blink::blink:

totally lost me- so how would what you said be able to be applied practically... or what should i look at to confirm or deny what you said, or doeswhat you say mean it is pointles buying the product?

:fr::fr::fr::re::fr::huh:hmy:hmy::-/:-/:-/:wacko::s:blink::blink::blink::blink:

like i said electric is not really my thing

thank you so much for all input....i need the help as i am sure you have figured out!!!

Okay so then simple answer is to call someone who is. Playing with electricity around water is super dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Even consulting the input of a forum or the Internet isn't exactly ways if you don't know enough to decipher the info. No offense meant but really the safest method.

 

[Lornek8]

It depends on the fuse/circuit breaker in the breaker panel. If the socket design only handles 13A then the circuit breaker is probably 10A or thereabouts. Its not typically the wattage but the amperage that causes the breaker to trip. Thus the rating on the fuse/breaker.

Okay not exactly right. It is wattage but as voltage is fixed it depends on amperage which can vary.

Those products are both good means of protection.

 

[Brengun]

If you want to see if it will cut off, plug in all your fishy stuff, then go plug in one of those lovely big vaccum cleaners of about 2300w. They really chew some watts and if I put one of those in the fishroom it will clik off the safety switch every time. At least I know it works.

 

[ccole]

Okay so then simple answer is to call someone who is. Playing with electricity around water is super dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Even consulting the input of a forum or the Internet isn't exactly ways if you don't know enough to decipher the info. No offense meant but really the safest method.

Bre- calm down clam down. lol.
I respect your passion for safety and totally understand it. This was my first port of call because i was wondering if there was an straight forward solution.
Money is always an issue and before i called an electricion i wanted to make sure he wasnt going to say ''you can buy this, from there for £5. Here is a bill for £50 for 5 minutes of my time'' i would of course spend anything it takes to be safe.
Again no offence taken but i am glad i was sitting down because you might have blown me over! :lol:

thanks again for the advice
respects
cc

 

[Lornek8]

That was me not Bre.
No electrician friends? That who I consult when I have questions.
Daisy chaining extension cords is dangerous as you know. The products mentioned will work but you need to understans what's going on if you are going to buy them. For instance, the power strip that Theus linked, yes it will work. However if you look at the specs, its got a 15A breaker. Should you use this, theoretically you could overload the 13A sockets according to your research. Thus you need to be able to hash out whats going on and the products you're using.

 

[ccole]

lol apologies to bre in that case
no afraid no lecki friends- only builders!
I totally see your point.......ummmmmm- guess it's the expensive choice!
i thought the same about linking extension leads together.

thanks
cc