Max amount of watts to draw for a standard house plug

euser1984

Hi,
I plan to be using about 5kwh. What is the best way to connect this up in the house?

Thanks.

Dardania

Firstly - is it 5kW or 5kWh? 5kWh is consumption, whereas 5kW is instantaneous power.

Presuming it is 5kW, that is approx: 5kW/230V = 21.8A - which is greater than a standard socket circuit (the socket itself is 13A rated, and the supplying RCBO is 20A)

It should come from a dedicated breaker in your consumer unit - most likely a 32A MCB or RCBO.

If the device is non moveable, you can supply it from a 32A MCB, wired to an ioslator beside the device. If the device is moveable, or has parts in contact with water, or if you want to be extra safe, you must supply it from a 32A RCBO (which combines an MCB with and RCD/ELCB), through a 32A single phase cee-form commando plug/socket.

What type of a device is it?

How long is the run from your consumer unit to the device, in metres?

Also, maybe ask a mod to move this to Rec>DIY>Electrical - there are very knowledgeable types there

euser1984

Hi,
No it's 5kWh. At the moment I only have two plugs available from a standard wall socket.

Thanks for you reply.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

What is the device? It is crucial to any answer.

Oh and this is the wrong forum. This is for Electric Ireland issues - as in the supplier of your electricity and gas.

euser1984

Sorry I thought the ESB would be able to advise.


Four computers drawing 1172 watts per hour. One powered fan that's about 230 watts.


Let me know if you need anymore info.

Thanks.

Arius007

Dardania wrote: »

Firstly - is it 5kW or 5kWh? 5kWh is consumption, whereas 5kW is instantaneous power.

Presuming it is 5kW, that is approx: 5kW/230V = 21.8A - which is greater than a standard socket circuit (the socket itself is 13A rated, and the supplying RCBO is 20A)

It should come from a dedicated breaker in your consumer unit - most likely a 32A MCB or RCBO.

If the device is non moveable, you can supply it from a 32A MCB, wired to an ioslator beside the device. If the device is moveable, or has parts in contact with water, or if you want to be extra safe, you must supply it from a 32A RCBO (which combines an MCB with and RCD/ELCB), through a 32A single phase cee-form commando plug/socket.

What type of a device is it?

How long is the run from your consumer unit to the device, in metres?

Also, maybe ask a mod to move this to Rec>DIY>Electrical - there are very knowledgeable types there

I'd agree, more or less, with all the above. Your typical domestic 3 pin plug/socket is rated for approx 3kW i.e a Kettle / Tumble Dryer. For something rated higher than that, think electric shower 8-9kW or some ovens (maybe 3-5kW) - that's the type of install required for a fixed appliance of that rating. There's an industrial plug/socket option (e.g. http://www.gwsupplies.co.uk/p/5442/industrial+plug+240v+2pin+%2B+earth+32a+blue+ip44+iec309.htm) that you won't typically find inside most homes, and the circuit for it will be a special installation - you can't just hook it up to something you have already (such as your 3 pin socket).

Arius007

euser1984 wrote: »

Sorry I thought the ESB would be able to advise.


Four computers drawing 1172 watts per hour. One powered fan that's about 230 watts.


Let me know if you need anymore info.

Thanks.

You can run these off your normal 3 pin sockets. It would be advisable to try to spread them across different circuits - i.e. different MCB's. If you try to run them all on one circuit you may experience MCB trips/cables overheating and the likes.
Don't hook them up to multiway sockets!

euser1984

Arius007 wrote: »

You can run these off your normal 3 pin sockets. It would be advisable to try to spread them across different circuits - i.e. different MCB's. If you try to run them all on one circuit you may experience MCB trips/cables overheating and the likes.
Don't hook them up to multiway sockets!

I currently have two of the computers connected via multiway belkin surge protector into one socket.

Arius007

euser1984 wrote: »

I currently have two of the computers connected via multiway belkin surge protector into one socket.

2 x 1200W is still under the 3kW so it should cause any problem. You can always check the plugs for overheating when in use.
If you can find an alternative circuit for the other two it would be best.

Electric Ireland: David

Hi euser1984,

Unfortunately we wouldn't be in a position to advise you here; it's always best to consult a registered electrical contractor concerning technical matters related to your internal installation (plugs, wiring etc). The Home & Garden -> Electrical forum might also be a good place to pose this question.

However if you have a query about your bill/energy efficiency we'll be happy to help!

Thanks,

David

Dav

And so it's been moved from the Electric Ireland Talk To forum

Bruthal

euser1984 wrote: »

Sorry I thought the ESB would be able to advise.


Four computers drawing 1172 watts per hour. One powered fan that's about 230 watts.


Let me know if you need anymore info.

Thanks.

Where did you get the 1172 watts from, a pc with monitor will likely be less than 200 watts with hard drive going, and monitor on. I cant see any way 4 pc`s will be using 5kw or anything remotely like it. All 4 will be less than 1 kw.

euser1984

robbie7730 wrote: »

Where did you get the 1172 watts from, a pc with monitor will likely be less than 200 watts with hard drive going, and monitor on. I cant see any way 4 pc`s will be using 5kw or anything remotely like it. All 4 will be less than 1 kw.

There not PC's.

Bruthal

euser1984 wrote: »

There not PC's.

I see, what sort of computers are they? The rating on the back of a pc i use here says 4 amps, which is just under 1kw. In actual use though, it uses 0.6 amps, so the rating plate is a bit deceiving.

euser1984

robbie7730 wrote: »

I see, what sort of computers are they? The rating on the back of a pc i use here says 4 amps, which is just under 1kw. In actual use though, it uses 0.6 amps, so the rating plate is a bit deceiving.

PSU's are 30amp. 1200watts. There data processing machines.

Bruthal

euser1984 wrote: »

PSU's are 30amp. 1200watts. There data processing machines.

The machines are unlikely to be using 1200 watts just the same. But if you want to power them as if they are, then 2 dedicated socket circuits would be a way of doing it, each circuit doing one twin socket, and that will give you about 4kw at each twin socket, 2kw from each actual plug outlet.

One of the twin sockets can have a single socket looped from it for the fan also. Or another circuit for that.

euser1984

robbie7730 wrote: »

The machines are unlikely to be using 1200 watts just the same. But if you want to power them as if they are, then 2 dedicated socket circuits would be a way of doing it, each circuit doing one twin socket, and that will give you about 4kw at each twin socket, 2kw from each actual plug outlet.

One of the twin sockets can have a single socket looped from it for the fan also. Or another circuit for that.

Ok that's cool. Thanks for the advice man!

danjo

Seems a little unusual to have servers running directly from the mains i.e without a UPS. Have you considered the impact of power outages?

Bruthal

They would normally have UPS systems alright if continuity of running is important, or at least to give the time for controlled shut down.

mycomment

i think that this thread is going nowhere near the eye of the needle, and should have the plug pulled on it.