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4 plug adapter says "Total load must not exceed 13 amps"

  • 10-05-2014 07:58PM
    #1
    Worztron
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,049 ✭✭✭


    Hi.

    I have a surge protector/4 plug adapter. It says on it "Total load must not exceed 13 amps".

    So does this mean that I can only plug in 4 plugs of (e.g. 3 + 3 + 3 + 5 = 14) amp plugs?

    What would happen if I had 4 plugs each with 10 amp fuses?

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



Comments

  • #2
    Mycroft H
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,306 ✭✭✭Mycroft H


    Worztron wrote: »
    Hi.

    I have a surge protector/4 plug adapter. It says on it "Total load must not exceed 13 amps".

    So does this mean that I can only plug in 4 plugs of (e.g. 3 + 3 + 3 + 5 = 14) amp plugs?

    What would happen if I had 4 plugs each with 10 amp fuses?

    Have a look at your wattage rating on each of the appliances. Through Ohms law you can have appliances with a combined power rating not exceeding circa 3100 Watts (power=current in amps x voltage). You could have four 750w appliances on that surge protector and not exceed the 13a current rating.


  • #3
    maxfresh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 688 ✭✭✭maxfresh


    Worztron wrote: »
    Hi.

    I have a surge protector/4 plug adapter. It says on it "Total load must not exceed 13 amps".

    So does this mean that I can only plug in 4 plugs of (e.g. 3 + 3 + 3 + 5 = 14) amp plugs?

    What would happen if I had 4 plugs each with 10 amp fuses?

    They fuse in the plug top of the extension lead is 13 amps, if you plugged in say two heavy loads like electric heaters you would blow this fuse.


  • #4
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,423 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Worztron wrote: »

    What would happen if I had 4 plugs each with 10 amp fuses?

    Probably very little would happen. The fuse doesn't determine how much current an appliance will take, its the appliance itself.

    If you have two bed side lamps each with 3A fuses in them, if you place a 20W bulb in one and a 60W bulb in the other, they both don't take 3A cause there's a 3A fuse in the plug.

    The current that will be drawn will be down to the wattage of the appliance.

    20W bulb will draw 20/220 A or 0.09A
    60W bulb will draw 60/220 A or 0.27A

    so the 60W bulb draw's 3 times the current of the 20W bulb as we would expect :-)


  • #5
    Worztron
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,049 ✭✭✭Worztron


    Mycroft H wrote: »
    Have a look at your wattage rating on each of the appliances. Through Ohms law you can have appliances with a combined power rating not exceeding circa 3100 Watts (power=current in amps x voltage). You could have four 750w appliances on that surge protector and not exceed the 13a current rating.

    Hi Mycroft H.

    I have a Desktop PC with a 450 Watt PSU. A 24' TFT monitor, PC speakers and a desk lamp (60W incandescent light bulb).

    I take it that those are well within the amps allowed? I'd say most people don't know what amp fuse to put into plugs. For the items I've mentioned above - would all get by with 5 or 3 amp fuses each?

    Mitch Hedberg: "Rice is great if you're really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something."



  • #6
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,370 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    DublinDilbert wrote: »
    Probably very little would happen. The fuse doesn't determine how much current an appliance will take, its the appliance itself.

    If you have two bed side lamps each with 3A fuses in them, if you place a 20W bulb in one and a 60W bulb in the other, they both don't take 3A cause there's a 3A fuse in the plug.

    The current that will be drawn will be down to the wattage of the appliance.

    20W bulb will draw 20/220 A or 0.9A
    60W bulb will draw 60/220 A or 0.27A

    so the 60W bulb draw's 3 times the current of the 20W bulb as we would expect :-)

    A decimal place out for the 20 watt bulb, just in case anyone is looking at that trying to work it out:)


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  • #7
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,423 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Worztron wrote: »
    Hi Mycroft H.

    I have a Desktop PC with a 450 Watt PSU. A 24' TFT monitor, PC speakers and a desk lamp (60W incandescent light bulb).

    I take it that those are well within the amps allowed? I'd say most people don't know what amp fuse to put into plugs. For the items I've mentioned above - would all get by with 5 or 3 amp fuses each?

    The fuse is there to protect the cable not really the appliance. In the plug top feeding your PC there is probably a 13A fuse.

    Yes all of the above loads would probably be less than 600W, or roughly 3A. In fact although the PC PSU is rated for 450W, that's its peak power, its probably using much closer to 200W in normal operation.


  • #8
    adrian92
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 566 ✭✭✭adrian92


    I suggest you simply plug in as many items provided (to be safe) the total is no more than 2 kW (2000 Watts).

    No need to concern yourself about the fuse size of any individual item marked on the plug.

    Every item you plug in will have a rating plate stating the Watts drawn. (it may say, for example 60 Watts or 60 W)

    Provide you do not exceed 2000 Watts you will be safe to plug in. (pay particular attention of items that produce heat- such as an electric heater)


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