Need advice

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Pabs81

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United Kingdom
London
Hi guys.

Was hoping someone could help me.

I wanted to run 3 monitors but only have 1 power outlet on my wall in room and am a bit worried about overloading it with equipment.

Is it safe to have the 3 monitors, a wheel, pc, surround sound and a lamp plugged into 1 socket via an adapter or will I need to buy something special?

Sorry if this is a stupid question

All the best
 
Sounds like a bit of juice to flow through one outlet, I would consult an electrician for the most reliable advice.
 
This really depends on how much amperage your equipment draws and how many other outlets are on the same breaker. If you don't blow the circuit breaker or fuse you are safe as long as it doesn't malfunction. Each outlet should be safe to run 15 amps max for a short period and the breakers are usually 15 amps. If you want to be completely safe stick to closer to 10-12 amps and you will have no problems. Around 80% of rated load is a safe guideline to stick to.
 
eKretz
Each outlet should be safe to run 15 amps and the breakers are usually 15 amps.
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Partially true. While each outlet can handle up to 15 (or possibly 20 depending on the receptacle, wire size and breaker) amps, the entire circuit (which could include the receptacles from the next room, hallway, etc. or the lighting) can carry a maximum of 15/20 amps. You also shouldn't carry more than 80% of the rated capacity so as to not blow the circuit. Also, also be mindful of turning everything on at the same time as inrush current can double the draw to get everything going before it settles back down to it's normal state.

Take a look at the labels on every device on the circuit and add them up. If it's too high, you'll have nothing but problems.
 
I'd buy a medium-heavy duty surge protector. I use this, but I know in England you use a different kind of outlet.
 
TB
Partially true. While each outlet can handle up to 15 (or possibly 20 depending on the receptacle, wire size and breaker) amps, the entire circuit (which could include the receptacles from the next room, hallway, etc. or the lighting) can carry a maximum of 15/20 amps. You also shouldn't carry more than 80% of the rated capacity so as to not blow the circuit. Also, also be mindful of turning everything on at the same time as inrush current can double the draw to get everything going before it settles back down to it's normal state.

Take a look at the labels on every device on the circuit and add them up. If it's too high, you'll have nothing but problems.
Click to expand...

Right, I was still tweaking my post as you were writing yours apparently. We are in agreement.
 
ildd
I'd buy a medium-heavy duty surge protector. I use this, but I know in England you use a different kind of outlet.
Click to expand...
A surge suppressor will give you receptacles to plug more things in but it won't do you any good if you're overloading the circuit.
 
Pabs81
Hi guys.

Was hoping someone could help me.

I wanted to run 3 monitors but only have 1 power outlet on my wall in room and am a bit worried about overloading it with equipment.

Is it safe to have the 3 monitors, a wheel, pc, surround sound and a lamp plugged into 1 socket via an adapter or will I need to buy something special?

Sorry if this is a stupid question

All the best
Click to expand...

In Europe we use 230v and you should be able to get about 10 Amps total. But, as TB said, it depends on what else is running on the same fuse/circuit. But you can safely use up to 2400w total. If you live in and old place there can be much less available. Check the fuse cabinet to see what's hooked up on each fuse. If it's labeled properly.
 
TB
A surge suppressor will give you receptacles to plug more things in but it won't do you any good if you're overloading the circuit.
Click to expand...

But neither will plugging it into a bunch of different outlets in a single room. One receptacle or three, it's still all drawing from the same fuse. So it's more about not running extreme hardware than anything.

For reference, my 120hz Asus monitor draws 20 watts (that's properly calibrated so it's not in eye cancer torch mode). It's probably around 40 watts with the brightness turned to 100.

The T500 can spike to 45-50 watts, but usually averages around 25 watts.

A computer is a variable, but 200 - 400 watts is about average under load unless doing something crazy with the hardware. If you're running triple GPU and each has a TDP of 200 watts, then yeah, you should buy a kill-a-watt to measure what your actual draw is. My 4570k/660TI peaks out at about 250 watts draw when things are under absolute load.

EDIT: Oh, and if you're using a lamp, make sure it's a normal lamp. There are some crazy halogen lamps that can draw 300 watts. An LED lamp, on the other hand, will draw less than 10 watts.
 
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Thanks for all the in-depth information everyone..

My house is about 100 years old but I think the electric was updated around 20 years ago. I'll have a closer look at things
 

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