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Rules of using Surge Sockets.

I have a 6 socket surge protector (now surge protectorless due to the amount of power shortages that have fried the fuse shield which I cant be bothered to replace) which I am using to full capacity and need more sockets.

I do not know the rules or safety requirements of these extension sockets, but would it not be a good idea to put another 6 socket extension into my current 6 socket extension. Whereby I will be left with a total of 11 useable plug spaces.

I cannot see a problem with this as most of the plugs are low power devices apart from the computer system. However Im fearing the sockets might just blow up if demand is too high.

Example of what I have plugged in which may be on or off (ad hoc).
Some items are on simultaneously (e.g. when computer is on printer is on)

Desklamp
Wireless Router
Monitor Power supply
Computer System power supply
5.1 speaker power supply
Printer
Phone/console charger
Clock/radio
electric toothbrush charger
air purifier/ioniser

As you can see, I need to constantly switch plugs. Its not worth buying an 8 socket extension since 2 more plugs is not really going to makea difference.
 
Hi,
The best rule to follow on any type of extenstion is not to exceed the maximum ampage of the fuse in the plug the extention is connected to.

Most extension leads are fitted with a 13 amp fuse and therefore will blow should there be a an uptake greater than that. This if you are unfortunate could lead to some of your equipment being rendered useless.

I would recommend that 1) you replace your surge protecter and 2) if you need to use further extensions plug them into a socket on the wall.

Further to this overloading can lead to fires being started by an electrial fault, of which is advisable to avoid.

regards Ian
 
i confirm with all the above most of your plugs will be fitted with 3amp fuses so in theory you can load 4 items within the 13amp fuse of the main plug on the surge protector extension.

when sticking to the pc items ie power supply monitor and router no problems getting 4 units together but the dehumidifier and desk lamp may push you over the limit.

be safe be alive and still be on this forum
 
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Things like the Desk lamp and the clock should only have 3 amp fuses in their plugs. Should you overload I would expect them to blow first!

But as IGS says, do you really need things like the toothbrush charger in the same socket?? Can't you re-house them somewhere else? Or get fitted for dentures!! :rolleyes:

:D

Edit: SOOooo ...... nodrog can type faster than me ..........
 
Thanks for the advice. I dont think Ill take the risk of pluggin in another extension. Guess Ill just have to live with changing plugs all the time.

I do have another mains socket, but its hard to get to and buried under a lot of junk. I may dig it out if I get desperate.
 
I do know Belkin Surge Protectors should not be plugged in to any adapters, mine is an 8 way.

I suspect that with the minimal load that you have described your problems are far more serious than just the surge protector.

I would urge you to seek expert advice.

Something is causing that problem !!
 
find the hidden wall sockets and extend them to a more prominent place using 4 gang extention with say 1m or 2m cable and use this for telephone charger, toothbrush charger ioniser etc keep surge protector for the important pc peripherals.
 
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:crap: Inactive, what do you mean by "something is causing that problem".
What is that problem!!! You;re scaring me. What do I need expert advice for?

Erm.. does anyone know how to replace the MOV ( I think its called that) within the surge protector? Since the "surge" green light has gone out.
 
You can get a 10 way socket with surge protection, but that's one hell of a lot of appliances to have hooked up to one wall socket (and a mess of cables) and you must not exceed the 3120 watt maximum load.

I would suggest the same as Gordon, dig up that burried socket and divide your stuff sensible between them. If it was me I'd get out my trusty SDS hammer/drill and fit a double socket in the wall, mind you with the new electrical regulations I guess that's not on anymore :rolleyes:
 
Darkspark said:
:crap: Inactive, what do you mean by "something is causing that problem".
What is that problem!!! You;re scaring me. What do I need expert advice for?

Erm.. does anyone know how to replace the MOV ( I think its called that) within the surge protector? Since the "surge" green light has gone out.

The ones I've got that have green protection lights are only supposed to light up when there actually is a surge (that or I was sold several duds and hadn't noticed :eek: ), are you sure the varistor or whatever it is is foobed? You'll probably need a solder sucker and soldering iron to replace them. If you've got a Belkin one it may have a lifetime waranty

There's a 10 way adaptor available here http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=96834&criteria=10 way adaptor&doy=22m4 first place I thought of looking, so it probably is neither particularily cheap or especially good.
 
Last edited:
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LOL Mel. When I first got my 6 way surge socket, it had a bright green light. End of last year it kept flickering, especially noticable when something is drawing power.
Eventually at the beginning of the year, the power was cut with a nice ten minute warning from the electricity company and the green light finally died out.

Anyway, thanks for the link to that Maplin socket protector. Ill pick it up when Im on Tottenham court rd on saturday, I think I've seen a Maplins there. Only cause its damn cheap:rolleyes:

Surely it would be hard for me to exceed the 3120 watt maximum load?
If we imagine that the maximum power that any device i plug in can draw is 100, then 10 sockets x 100watts is only 1000. Some units such as the monitor only draws <50.

No reason to be worried then right? Or does the power that the devices draw, fluctuate a lot?
 
Read the rating on the devices - they should all have a rating on them.

Make sure it doesn't add up to 13A and you'll be safe.

If a rating is given for the surge protector (such as max current or power which can be drawn - work to that)

Some device can have spikes in useage due to Ohms law (things like lamps suffer most from this) but most the type of devices you'll have on a surge protector are unlikely to cause a big enough spike to cause a real problems (CRT's possibly if you really push things)
 
Are the sockets rotatable?

Since it looks like putting in large sockets, e.g. desklamp or router power supplies will be really awkward and take up the space of a nearby socket, due to the diagonal positioning,
 
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Darkspark said:
I have a 6 socket surge protector (now surge protectorless due to the amount of power shortages that have fried the fuse shield which I cant be bothered to replace) which I am using to full capacity and need more sockets.
.

Under normal circumstances, that should not happen.

" Power shortages " which I presume means power cuts will not adversely affect a surge protector unless there is a a very serious spike which will render the surge protector useless, but all things being equal, will save the connected items from terminal damage, that is the designed purpose of the surge protector.

If that happens with a Belkin unit; ie; the unit is spiked and killed, simply cut off the mains plug and return to Belikn for a free replacement, also there is £30,000 of insurance should any connected equipment be damaged.

A " fried fuse shield " indicates an excessive heat build up which in the worst scenario could result in a fire., this has to be caused by a fault, simply, it should not happen.

So by all means get a replacement surge protector, but you really need to identify the cause before getting one, otherwise the fault will just translate to the new protector.

I suspect that your home wiring doesn't meet modern standards because a fault as you have described should have tripped out the mains supply before getting to that stage.

I hope that doesn't sound too alarmist, but it really is better to be safe than sorry where mains electricity is concerned.

Hence my earlier comments/advice.
 
Mel said:
................... If it was me I'd get out my trusty SDS hammer/drill and fit a double socket in the wall, mind you with the new electrical regulations I guess that's not on anymore :rolleyes:

Sounds like I've missed something Mel, what reg'?? :hrmph: :(
 
I'm not so sure on that law, the use of statistics doesn't help either - the deaths more than likely came from things this law doesn't cover (water in the wrong place, drilling into wires, badly done plugs etc..)

Its a pain in the arse in fact. I know lots of people (including myself) who can easily do a simple wiring job. I mean its not that hard to do, heck if even done some 3 phase stuff in the past.

To date the worse wiring I have seen has in all cases been done by someone who was meant to be qualified.

Don't get me started on the 3 phases colour scheme changes either.........
 
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