Connecting power cables - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: niky518
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 11:40:37 am
content: Hello, I'm curious if is safe to connect power cables like on image bellow? Assuming that used wattage is not greater than specified (I think that is around 3-4 kW). And what should I take care of if such connection is done. Thanks in advance.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 11:47:13 am
content: Increased force on the wall socket. Especially when bumped.Limited 1500 Watt rated timer switches. Cheap quality splitters.EU plugs can actually melt and burn.Also, the splitter will most likely cover the timer screen and buttons.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 11:49:44 am
content: Generally NO unless the first splitter or wattmeter is fused at less than the socket's rating.

author: niky518
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 12:08:57 pm
content: Quote from: Ian.M on October 23, 2015, 11:49:44 amCan you please explain in more details? Write some numbers? ty

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 03:50:26 pm
content: Double adaptors are normally not fused or breakered. Power board normally are. Here in australia power boards are breakered at 10 amps, so if you have a power board with heaps of double adaptors plugged into it, the power board will stop any overloads.If you run a double adaptor there is no overload protection and you run the risk of overloading the socket.Most of our power circuits are 16 amps even though the sockets are only rated at 10.If you are wanting to measure lots of things through a power meter, plug the power meter in, then the power board in, then do what you want provided the power board is overload protected.

author: Halvmand
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2015, 03:55:10 pm
content: 4 kW at 240 V is 16.6 A, at 110 V thats 36 A. What kind of circuit protection does your house installation have?Here in Denmark the wall sockets is fused with 10 A. I guess this is doubled up in countries with 110 V installations.So if you plan to hook this up in a residense the circuit protection / fuse will break before you reach 3000 / 4000 w.But as long you dont pull more amps than the circuit protection allows you should be fine, provided that the cables, watt meter and socket boxes are rated for the power you plan on drawing.

author: JacquesBBB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2015, 01:12:17 am
content: I would suppress the first splitter and put the two 8 sockets multinplugs in series.If you respect the limitations of the counter , i would say its ok.Stay way below 3kw. Maybe limit to 2.5 kw (10a)

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2015, 09:21:00 am
content: Safe in the UK and other countries that use the UK style plugs and adapters that are all fused but no where else in the world.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2015, 12:20:41 pm
content: Buy a DIN rail mounted power meter, a small DIN fuse box to hold it and the appropriate value breaker, and wire in a line plug and an inline socket using some properly rated cable and cable glands. $25 incl postage from China for the meter, and you will get the rest locally. Safest way to do that, and you can have 2 output trailing sockets or more, provided you have the appropriate number of glands and space for them.

author: jitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2015, 04:41:31 pm
content: Quote from: niky518 on October 23, 2015, 11:40:37 amCuriously, you're showing three different types of sockets (all "weird ass sockets" as Dave would say). I take it you've used them for illustration purposes only and that the socket in the top of the pic is the type you actuallly use.Officially it's designated asCEE 7/3 socket(for CEE 7/4 plug). Also called IEC type F or Schuko. Rated for 250 V / 16 A. If you're in the EU, that would mean a max. of 3680 W (@ 230 V).I would not call your setup safe if you were to make it permanent. A (temporary) test setup of some sort is another matter, though. However, don't use splitters like that, they're rubbish.Also note that for 16 A you will need at least 3x1.5 mm2wiring. And is your meter capable of measuring the full 16 A continously?