Linking Power Strips

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by mikey1120, Apr 27, 2004.

  1. mikey1120

    mikey1120 Private E-2

    Recently my friend had his computer go out, so I checked it out. The power supply was dead so I replaced that, but then the motherboard was also dead as well as the CPU, so he had to replace those. Now, I noticed that he had two power strips, one connected to the wall outlet and the other connected to the first power strip. The computer and speakers were the only thing connected to the second strip. Is it bad to connect a strip to another strip? Thanks!
     
  2. Mistic

    Mistic Private E-2

    In short, yes it is bad. Allways try to use a different socket whenever possible. Im not saying that is what caused the problems (probly 70% chance it was) but allways try to use more than one socket.
     
  3. ChrisC

    ChrisC Private First Class

    How can it be bad? unless you start to suck more power then that socket can take, then it should be fine.
    My computer, 2 monitors (17 and 15inch CRT's), laptop (P2 400), and ps2 are all on the same power bar (well, 2 power bars, one of which is attached to the other).
    But I live in a brand new (sweet ass) university residence, so we have pretty decent power here.
    Besides, cant a 'normal' wall outlet take up to 20A? that would be about 2400 watts.
     
  4. goldfish

    goldfish Lt. Sushi.DC

    That is, if youre running everything at 120V AC. Most plug fuses are rated at 13A, and most domestic power rings can take 20A per outlet, and have a 6A/13A power-breaker (if you short somthing). Right now, im running a simelar setup, with my amp, printer, computer, monitor, TV and gamecube spread over two power strips, and the rest of my room running on another "heavy duty" power strip. Ive only got 4 sockets in my room total, and my stuff is spread out over the whole area, being the geeky guy i am ;)

    Anyway... if its putting over 13A, you are in trouble. Unless the power strips are too lowly rated, and melted through... :eek: and shorted the breaker, which could have caused large current to go through the stuff connected before the breaker went...

    Dont have an electric heater attached to it as well? :p
     
  5. Mistic

    Mistic Private E-2

    All I have is cheap power bars so I dont dare put to much stuff on one bar. I guess I need to go buy some good ones. I guess I got lucky with my Pc room which I have 7 outlets in there so I try to spread everything around.
     
  6. RexNoctis

    RexNoctis Corporal

    The house I live in has a shoddy power setup. All the sockets, both upstairs and down are on one circuit. If too many large power using appliances, (2 laser printers, tumble drier, 17" and 19" monitors, gf's bloody hairdryer!) are on at the same time, the breaker will go pop.

    Thank God the electric shower is on a different circuit.
     
  7. WobblesRArt

    WobblesRArt MajorGeek

    @Goldy I know that I've been away from England for 20 years, but I thought that they use 240 lines, at least they did in 1976.....wobbles
     
  8. Fw190

    Fw190 Lt. Anti-Social

    he may have said 120 so as not to confuse us Americans
    Personally I don't see a problem as long as you're not overloading the circuit itself. Of course that's in theory, in practice, it's not something I would do.
     
  9. goldfish

    goldfish Lt. Sushi.DC


    I did try to put my brain into americain mode working on 120V, and also its much like industrial power supplies here (with the large circular male/female sockets, which a few of my bits and pieces run on in fact). We did used to use 240V AC, but the rating has now been adjusted to 230V (as a RMS) since its more accurate to current output. Commercial/Industral rings have stayed the same (3000V? i cant quite remember really) since its the step downs that have changed (sub stations).
     
  10. RexNoctis

    RexNoctis Corporal

    We changed to 230V to bring us in line with the rest of Europe which used to run at 220V. Although because of the way the tolerances were decided, our grid is still allowed to put out 240V if it wants to.
     
  11. goldfish

    goldfish Lt. Sushi.DC

    Blahh.. thats what i meant to say :p the 230V value is a RMS so obviously the can change the amplitude of the AC current within a certain bound.

    But all this talking about power I cant remember what the first step down from the grid is to commercial/industrial land is. Its somthing like 3kV i think... stepped down by a ratio of 5:1 from 15kV in the overhead lines in the local grid. But i have no idea and it doesnt seem to be on the net :rolleyes:

    I'm no electrician just interested in stuff like this :D so dont take my word for it ;)
     

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