power strips - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: aqstephenson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2017, 08:22:25 pm
content: is it ok to plug in the bigger tools, like oscillators and power supplies, into power strips near the bench? can you plug them all into the same power strip? i'm considering buying a 10plug strip. what things do we need to be aware of in terms of safety (besides daisy chaining strips). thx!

author: neo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2017, 08:36:44 pm
content: Well let me first say, i take no responsibility for your safety.I do it. I can't outright say if you should or not it depends on the amps and quality of the strip, ideally you would have one with decent thickness wire inside. Use common sense and best judgment and it should be fine.

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2017, 10:41:18 pm
content: Look up the spec.s on both what you want to plug-in [ do not exceed the combined load { at the same time } ] & the power strip - they have ratings that should not be exceeded , if fact , a 10-20% head room is a good idea .

author: GoneTomorrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 12:34:24 am
content: In general you'd have a hard time hitting current issues with general electronic lab equipment. Most of it is under a couple of hundred watts.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 12:45:57 am
content: This:Quote from: KD0CAC John on May 02, 2017, 10:41:18 pm... remembering that all loads accumulate up to the wall socket and that the load limits apply to every point in your setup. (I know this is obvious, but some people have plugged a power board rated at 10A into another power board and think there is suddenly an extra 10A capacity - ignoring everything else.)QuoteI second this. It's like any electronic circuit ... you don't run them with components operating at 100% of their ratings.Quote from: GoneTomorrow on May 03, 2017, 12:34:24 amQuite true - but it's good to do the exercise so that you have a feel for what you are actually drawing. Everyone's bench is different.

author: CCitizenTO
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 01:13:16 am
content: You need to know the specs of the power strip and general building codes.In North America the standard wall socket will do about 110V at 15 Amps means the wall socket will deliver about 1800 watts. As long as all your tools combined do not exceed the amount of wattage that your circuit breaker can handle it should work because the power strips should generally be capable of handling the amount of watts the standard wall socket can provide on any individual socket contained within if they have the proper certifications like UL approval and stuff.

author: whitevamp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 01:26:49 am
content: I use one similar to this.https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Network-Grade-Rackmount-DRS-1215/dp/B00006B83A?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00006B83A

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 01:57:07 am
content: You can't pull 1800 watts from every outlet at the same time because most wall outlets will not be the only ones on a circuit. You have to keep in mind the total for all the outlets connected to each circuit breaker. Also keep in mind that if you have any ceiling lights, wall lights, ceiling fans, etc. those will probably be sharing a circuit with the wall outlets. The only standard outlet in my apartment on a dedicated breaker that is shared with nothing else is the one for the microwave over the stove.

author: neo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 03:05:30 am
content: In hindsight i should have expanded on what i meant by common sense. I meant basically all the major points mentioned here.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 03:17:40 am
content: This is the beginners section and, as such, we never know just how much knowledge is possessed by the person who asks the questions - so we tend to expand on the detail a bit.Common sense is only ever a fair reference when there is sufficient knowledge and understanding. Assuminganylevel of this is a dangerous thing.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 04:19:48 pm
content: I have 5 Belkin 6 outlet power strips plugged into an APC SmartUPS 1500 on my workbench. 4 of them at the back of the bench has everything plugged into them with a couple of outlets left over. There is a 5th mounted at the front of the bench if I need to quick power something up. I have no issues, but I never power everything up at once.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 07:28:47 pm
content: All of the power strips I have are protected by built in circuit breakers so it's pretty hard to overload one. The fire inspectors at work don't like it when power strips are daisy chained although in practice I don't think you're likely to have issues. Most test gear is not particularly power hungry, especially modern stuff.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 07:51:30 pm
content: You can daisy chain as many things as you want, the breaker won't let you draw more than what is safe. Idealy, use 14 or 12 gauge strips/extensions rated for 15 amps (or 20 if the outlet is a 20 amp) that way your entire circuit is rated for max amperage of the breaker. Of course the more stuff that is daisy chained the more connection points there is, so if you're going to do it I would avoid having too many levels and ensure it's nice and tight.A server PDU across a desk is not a bad idea too if you just want lot of outlets.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 08:01:28 pm
content: That is true in theory, although I suppose there must be some reason it's not permitted, at least in commercial environments. I've worked at several companies and they all had that mentioned by the periodic fire safety inspections, we were told we had to remove any daisy chained power strips or could face fines. That's unlikely to be a problem in a domestic situation though.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 09:05:39 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on May 03, 2017, 08:01:28 pmThey're probably worried about them being a possible trip hazard.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2017, 09:27:11 pm
content: No, it was nothing to do with tripping, these were all located under benches. They specifically stated that fire code prohibits daisy chaining of power strips. There are rules on extension cords too, my friend's shop has had to remove some to please OSHA, an extension cord is defined as a temporary device and cannot be used "permanently" to deliver power to a stationary appliance.

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2018, 09:17:34 am
content: SO, connecting 200 devices into 4 dual outlet receptacles which all reside on a single mains 15Amp circuit is not a good idea? say a major NO NO?Even if total draw at any one time is less than 15AMPS?How about a 12 AWG 25 foot outdoor extension cord behind shelves and filings cabinets to get power to the diagonally opposite side of the room?There are buildings old enough to have only one breaker for all receptacles and one breaker for all the lighting. just charging all the 5v devices alone uses ten or so outlets. computers and peripherals? then comes an electronics lab, local lighting. video lighting. Photo Lighting power packs, A/V equipment, (kitchen and bath outlets on separate GFCI circuits), and more in this age

author: mvs
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2018, 11:08:31 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on May 03, 2017, 07:51:30 pmIts not that easy... In short circuit event magnetic part of circuit breaker may fail to trip, if loop resistance is too high. In some homes you may find C16 breakers securing wall outlets, meaning in worst case they need 160A short circuit current to trip.

author: spec
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2018, 11:13:56 am
content: Hi aqstephensonThis is not directly an answer to your question and is more of a general point. Make sure that you get a good quality power strip because the quality varies quite a bit and the lower quality power strips are suspect.