power socket load - advice needed

londonTiger

I have lots of tiny low power consumption devices plugged into my home office.

Computer & monitors = 250W (takes 3 sockets, 2xmonitors)
speakers =9w
router = negligible
voip phone = negligable

(all connected on a 6 gang connection)

Just added an aquarium to the office. so at the moment I'm connecting it up using an extension from the hallway.

lights = 3w
filter = 2w
thermostat = cycles on/off 240W at on.


Now, I need to connect all of this equipment up to the single mains socket in the room. Sounds crazy I know.

I dont want to overload. I know that the maximum per socket is 230 X 13 = 2990W and any more than that it becomes a fire risk.

Does it also mean that if I exceed 13 amps (even if watts are ver low) I have a risk of overloading?

E.g. suppose I try to connect 10 iPads, At 2A each with 5.5V onto one power extension will it be overloaded?

penrhyn

From your example 10 ipads, 2A @ 6 volts.

Watts = Amps x Volts so 2 x 6 = 12 watts, therefore 10 ipads will consume 120 watts.

Assuming the iPad transformers are 100 % efficient then that eqates to 120 w/ 230 v = 0.5 amps approx.

molerat

How will you exceed 13A with low watts ? 230v x 13a = 2990 watts, as long as you do not exceed this there is no problem. A 2amp iPad charger does not use 2 amps at the mains input. My 2.1 amp one is rated at 0.45 amps, I was going to meter it but I have not got a discharged iPad handy.

marlot

As already said, amps at 230v are what matter. Probably easiest to work in watts. Most of the appliances will have their input power ratings marked on them.

Transformers are not 100% efficient, but I'd be surprised if you are anywhere near 13A with that lot.

securityguy

londonTiger wrote: »

E.g. suppose I try to connect 10 iPads, At 2A each with 5.5V onto one power extension will it be overloaded?

No. 110W = ~0.5A at 230V.

yangptangkipperbang

On paper, you are not in any danger of overloading your primary socket - even more so, given that the UK mains supply is actually 240VAC anyway.

The main problem with plugging lots of items into a single source is the use of poor quality multi-way adapters (especially !) and extension leads. If connections between plug pins and sockets are not good, overheating can occur at at quite low currents.
Plus - people tend to forget exactly what they have actually connected to a circuit. That spare 13A socket on that 3 way adapter fed from a 4 way extension is handy to plug the fan heater into....................

It is up to the individual to decide when it all become a bit silly - unfortunately "silliness" varies from person to person.

PS: It might be worth seeing if you can replace your single 13A socket with a double or triple unit - it does reduce the amount of "daisy chaining"