110V Outlet

[b1tchm4gn3t]

Just for curiosity sake, just how much crap can be plugged into a single outlet. My example is I have a computer, LCD monitor, Home Stereo (300 watt), Printer, Video encoding box, 2 small desk lamps, Kodak Camera dock, speakers powered by 110V, cordless key/mouse (this is plugged in as well), a 19" TV, and a VHS/DVD combo player on my computer desk. I rarely run all of it at one time, but I was just wondering if thats too much. I know someone will suggest plugging in some of it into another outlet but where my desk is at makes it impossible, and theres NO way I want to use crappy looking extention cords all over the place.
So I guess my question is, if I dont use all at once...am I safe here?


EDIT...oh..I forgot about the router and the hub...thats another 2 things plugged in!

[Xylob the Destroyer]

ah, that's nothin'...
one box = 2 sockets, though both on the same ciruit breaker, right?

I've got 1 monitor, 1 cassette deck, 1 S-VHS, 1 PC (500W), 1 receiver (500W), 1 DVD player, 1 VHS, 2 subwoofers (100W each), 1 VHS rewinder, & 1 36" TV (CRT). All plugged into 2 surge protectors...
the whole room is on the same circuit breaker
in addition to all that, I've also got 1 more PC (300W), 1 more monitor, 1 scanner, 1 printer, 1 halogen lamp (300W), 1 broadband hub, 1 ceiling fan, the ceiling light, and the light in my closet....

the only time I ever had a problem was when I also had a refrigerator and a microwave in the room as well.
I was popping some popcorn in the micro when the fridge decided it was time to cycle. I was authoring a DVD on one PC while my girlfriend was surfing the net on the other and the TV & receiver were on because we were getting ready to watch a movie on the DVD player......
when the fridge cycled on, it was just too much for the circuit.....

[b1tchm4gn3t]

LOL...guess Im safe then! And yes...all on the same breaker so that would include my light in this room.

[ZAPPER]

Well it's like this. It depends on what size the breaker is and what size the wire is and how good the craftmanship is. I haven't crunched the numbers, but will say that you may be getting close. I would say that your monitor and TV are the two biggest draws.

If it is your own place you could just do a little rewiring to make things more conveinent. Depending on the distance to the panel you could add another circuit for less than 50 bucks. I didn't have an outlet in a conveinent place either so I just added a quad box, ran about 20' of wire and added a breaker. It is an isolated ground but I do kind of wish that I would have went ahead and made it two circuits instead of one.

My general rule of thumb is that if it works don't fix it. But if anything feels hot to the touch you may want to upgrade. The important things are breaker size. wire size and that the device or receptacles are of the right size. As long as the breaker is the weakest point you are safe. Oh yea, the receptacles that have the push the wire in holes in the back are bad JuJu because they sometimes don't make good connections use the screws on the sides.

[zzyzzx]

Put it all on a power strip that has it's own built in 15A breaker and if it doesn't trip then you probably have nothing to worry about.

[jackal70058]

Oh yea, the receptacles that have the push the wire in holes in the back are bad JuJu because they sometimes don't make good connections use the screws on the sides.

That is true and you could start a fire. Many electricians use the push-in of the type of installation of the outlet but it not reccomended.

I would not suggest having all the things plugged in at one time. Plugging it in at another outlet no good but if the outlet is actually on a different circuit.

Since it seems to work, but don't plugin anything in any of the plugs on the same circuit!

Do not put more than 20 Amperes through one outlet!

Always replace with the same type fuse! Putting higher rating fuse in makes for no protection of having a fuse.

[garman]

Generally if you have a 15amp breaker/fuse you cannot exceede 1875W. that's why if your hair dryer is on the same circuit, you will likely trip the fuse/breaker. Find another circuit in the house. If not put a penny in the fuse panel to complete the circuit and call the fire dept. garman

[b1tchm4gn3t]

ah, that's nothin'...
one box = 2 sockets, though both on the same ciruit breaker, right?

I forgot to answer you...yes it is one box which is actually 2 places to plug in at and I have one power strip plugged into each one (which makes 2 power strips).

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I totally forget to mention the 4 video game systems that are all plugged into the same circuit as the rest of that shit!

we're looking at having a house built, you can bet your ass I'll be having some custom wiring done in a couple of the rooms -- especially the 'theatre' room.
i think I'll go with 3 dedicated circuits on one wall: 1 for the TV, 1 for the PC & monitor, 1 for all the other crap.
and then a 4th circuit for the rest of the room (fridge, lights, etc.)
the 2nd PC will be in a totally different room when we move, along with my girlfriend's PC
ethernet will definitely be a must for the house's wiring as well!

[b1tchm4gn3t]

Im on a 12-2 w/ground on a 20 amp breaker...I think Im safe. I thought a TV (especially a 19") didnt draw much power? And I also have checked to see if things are getting hot, an nothing seems to be. The power adapters for the router and hub seem a lil warm, but barely. I have come to the conclusion that as long as I dont run absolutly everything..I think Ill be alright. Im saying this because my power strips are also protected. Also...I thought a LCD didnt use as much power as a CRT? Im just guessing on that one though.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

i don't know... all I have are CRT's.

[lordsmurf]

Well it's like this. It depends on what size the breaker is and what size the wire is and how good the craftmanship is. I haven't crunched the numbers, but will say that you may be getting close. I would say that your monitor and TV are the two biggest draws..

That about covers it. 8)

[Doramius]

Just as Zapper (and Lordsmurf reiterated), It depends on what's in your wall. If you're worried about fire, as long as the craftsmanship is good and your home's wiring wasn't done back before the 1970's, you should be pretty decent, until you draw too much current and blow your breaker. I'd be more worried about you power bill for just having that many items plugged in and on at once, for any given period of time.

I run $112 for A/C, 2 32" fans, 5 PCs w/monitors, 29" TV, several pieces of audio equipment, ceiling fan and 2 table lamps. Of course, I do use flouescent twist bulbs which draw only about 25w, that have a candle power output similar to 60W incandescent bulbs, which may save me a whopping $25-30 a month. That cost is for my computer room alone.

[rant]Yes, I do have it on a separate meter. It can be set up very easily and doesn't cost too much to have it inspected. I did it mostly so it had it's own breaker system isolated from the rest of the house. It also keeps my wife from badgering me about how my computer wastes so much power in the house. It's her and the goddamn regular A/C system. She has to keep the temperature freezing at 65 farenheit. I'm not a friggin polar bear. The computer room stays at a comfortable 70 degrees, where the A/C vents are near wherethe PCs are.

FYI - the rest of the house is $256 a month for just under 2000 sq ft. The computer room is just larger than 100 sq ft. [/rant]

[smearbrick1]

Just as Zapper (and Lordsmurf reiterated), It depends on what's in your wall. If you're worried about fire, as long as the craftsmanship is good and your home's wiring wasn't done back before the 1970's, you should be pretty decent, until you draw too much current and blow your breaker. I'd be more worried about you power bill for just having that many items plugged in and on at once, for any given period of time.

I run $112 for A/C, 2 32" fans, 5 PCs w/monitors, 29" TV, several pieces of audio equipment, ceiling fan and 2 table lamps. Of course, I do use flouescent twist bulbs which draw only about 25w, that have a candle power output similar to 60W incandescent bulbs, which may save me a whopping $25-30 a month. That cost is for my computer room alone.

[rant]Yes, I do have it on a separate meter. It can be set up very easily and doesn't cost too much to have it inspected. I did it mostly so it had it's own breaker system isolated from the rest of the house. It also keeps my wife from badgering me about how my computer wastes so much power in the house. It's her and the goddamn regular A/C system. She has to keep the temperature freezing at 65 farenheit. I'm not a friggin polar bear. The computer room stays at a comfortable 70 degrees, where the A/C vents are near wherethe PCs are.

FYI - the rest of the house is $256 a month for just under 2000 sq ft. The computer room is just larger than 100 sq ft. [/rant]

I think if my electric bill was that high, I may just have to kill myself.

[Doramius]

Believe me, it's been among debate. :P

[b1tchm4gn3t]

Im not worried about a bill...I leave 2 computers on all the time...central air on all the time (like at 65 degrees) all electric 2 bedroom apartment (cathedral ceilings) and my bill is NEVER over $120 a month winter or summer. I dont know the square footage but I do know this is a huge apartment. At those prices I could care less if things run alot.

[ZAPPER]

Back to the original post. I don't now where my answer books are but I was figuring that a 20 amp breaker should hold 2000 watts+/- I asked an electrician at work the other day and he said at 100 volts 100 watts is equal to 1 amp, but we are talking 110 to 120 volts so only 1600 to 1800 watts is what he is guessing.

As far as the electric bill WOW! I get all bent out of shape and threaten to go off grid when mine hits like $180 once or twice a year!

[Doramius]

My wife is probably the sole reason for the rolling brown-outs we've been having in the area. Damn woman can't turn a light off when leaving a room. Body temperature is 150F in the summer and -50F in the winter. 85-87F is what I can handle in the summer, and 68-70F in the winter. Woes of being married, owning your own homes and having to share the same bedroom.

[ZAPPER]

147.53(service)+10.86(outdoor lighting)=158.39 my biggest this year. Three window AC units (mostly in the evening when we are home) and a host of electronics,washer,dryer,two fridges,deep freeze and a well.

Gas bill $34. of which only $11. is for the gas

[smearbrick1]

My wife is probably the sole reason for the rolling brown-outs we've been having in the area. Damn woman can't turn a light off when leaving a room. Body temperature is 150F in the summer and -50F in the winter. 85-87F is what I can handle in the summer, and 68-70F in the winter. Woes of being married, owning your own homes and having to share the same bedroom. :shock:

You're preaching to the choir my friend. My wife has an affinity... no, it's more like a phobia of turning off lights. Same thing with door knobs. Apparently, if she built her dream house, there would be no doors and only light switches stuck in the "on" position. Must somehow be related to that whole leaving all of her crap on the kitchen table thing. Still, with the central air set to 68 during the summer and the heat set at 75 in the winter... my electric only runs about $95.00/month max.

[Doramius]

My wife leaves everything on the table, in the car, and laying all over the floor. The thing I find fascinating is that she still insists it's 'OUR' mess and we need to clean it up together.

I think energy bills would be more expensive during the season of menopause. It don't matter what the temperature is, the thermostat has to be adjusted every 5 min. at an opposite extreme.