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Electrical Wiring

Outlet danger?

16 years ago

Our tv area has one outlet with two powercords. These two cords have 7 items plugged into them. You know, tv, cable box, recorder, kids gameboy thingys, etc.

Our computer has one outlet with 2 power cords with 7 items plugged into them.

I think this is dangerous but my husband doesn't. I am having an electrian install some lights outside next week and I think he should add an addition outlet to both the tv area and the computer. Am I right? Is it dangerous?

Don't worry fellows if your answer yes... my hubby and I aren't fighting over it. I just want to know before electrian gets here.

Thanks!

Comments (3)

texasredhead
16 years ago
Are you speaking of surge protectors when you ask about power strips? The computer I'm using for this reply has seven items plugged into the surge protector. The surge protector with my TV and related equipment has six items plugged in to it. None of these items pull a lot of current. If a circuit was overloaded it would trip the breaker. This is standard operating procedure for this type of equipment.
joed
16 years ago
If you are not having a problem with breakers popping it would not concern me.
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davidandkasie
16 years ago
just to give you an example, in my office here i have 2 20 amp duplex outlets side by side. EACH of these feeds power strips that have up to 2 dozen outlets on them. no crap, last time i counted there was 48 devices plugged into these 2 circuits. most of them are very low current items, 10-20 watts at most, and then there are the 8-9 computers and monitors in here at at one time running. counting the other couple of 20amp circuits, i cannot run my office, and i mean JUST my office, on a 5kw Honda generator. i have to use a 5kw and a 3kw to run everything.

as long as each circuit is not overloaded current wise, you are fine. you don't want to plug a strip into a strip that is plugged into a strip and so on, as each plug in connection does build heat. think of teh Dad plugging up the lamp in A Christmas Story, too many strips/multi outlet adapters plugged into strips/MOAs can be be a fire hazzard. but just pluggin in power cords into a coupel is fine for light loads.

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