Trailing sockets....how safe??

HoolyNI

Have about 5 of these in use round the house and most are within the 13 amp range but the one used at "pc socket" has plugs with fuses totaling 31 amps plugged in (2x13 amp,1x5amp and 1x3amp) :eek:......would I be better fitting a 4 gang socket converter or running a spur from the socket?

Also how would I calculate what load is actually being placed on the "pc socket"??

Gloomendoom

Presumably there is a 13A max fuse in the plug on the trailing socket?

HoolyNI

Yes, are they not all fused at 13 amp?

keystone

Not if someone has put a 5A fuse in it.

Cheers

HoolyNI

They are 13 amp, and have never blown, house would have tripped occasionally in the past but not since we got rid of an old chest freezer....

HappyMJ

Mostly it will be something that heats that will use close to 13A such as a heater, dryer, washing machine....etc... A computer won't use anywhere near that much so you should be fine. Look at the power consumption of each device in watts and divide by your line voltage (supposed to be 230V) and you'll get the current in A's (amps). i.e a 3kw (3000W) heater divide by 230V is 13A. A 115W P.C power supply would be a maximum of 0.5A.

HoolyNI

Had a quick look at my tv set up there and total usage on a double socket is 231 watts if everything was on at once and they never are, made the mistake of going by size of fuse in each plug earlier......only thing i've ever notice make a plug heat up a bit was the hoover.

Nilrem

The main thing with trailing socket extensions, is like any power cable to make sure that it's in good condition - no frayed/damaged cabling, the cable is secured properly at both ends (IE the outer insulation is secure, and not pulled out so you can see the individual wires within).

Also it's worth making sure that any devices plugged in have the correct fuses, so you don't have something like a lamp fitted with a 13am fuse that will likely never blow before the 3amp cabling melts in the event of a short

As has been said most devices list somewhere on them, either on a sticker or sometimes imprinted into the actual housing (IE sort of stamped into the plastic moulding) what it's voltage and wattage are.
Most computers only use a few hundred watts max, most LCD TV's only use 100-200 watts (depending on size and if they are LED backlights or older fluorescent backlights), things like DVD players usually only use 20-30 watts max (unless they have surround sound or something built in).
If in doubt you can usually add up the rated wattages of the devices and get an idea of how much they draw in total.

joe134

Nilrem wrote: »

The main thing with trailing socket extensions, is like any power cable to make sure that it's in good condition - no frayed/damaged cabling, the cable is secured properly at both ends (IE the outer insulation is secure, and not pulled out so you can see the individual wires within).

Also it's worth making sure that any devices plugged in have the correct fuses, so you don't have something like a lamp fitted with a 13am fuse that will likely never blow before the 3amp cabling melts in the event of a short

As has been said most devices list somewhere on them, either on a sticker or sometimes imprinted into the actual housing (IE sort of stamped into the plastic moulding) what it's voltage and wattage are.
Most computers only use a few hundred watts max, most LCD TV's only use 100-200 watts (depending on size and if they are LED backlights or older fluorescent backlights), things like DVD players usually only use 20-30 watts max (unless they have surround sound or something built in).
If in doubt you can usually add up the rated wattages of the devices and get an idea of how much they draw in total.

Hi, There,s a limit to how many trailing sockets or fused spurs one can run off a ring main, and presume the OP is ring mained ?trips sound as though it is ?
Surprising how many are not;;especially the older properties.
regs change all the time.
Also, there are a lot of low quality chinese made trailing sockets sold today, just thin cable, not suitable for intended purpose. use them, but, don,t abuse them