TimOnTheRoad
@dweavenetworks.net |  Daisy chaining power strips
| |
|
 
Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
 ·Comcast
1 edit | Re: Daisy chaining power strips The maximum safe number of power strips that can be daisy chained is zero.
Get a larger power strip, but do not daisy chain them. In fact, I believe it's a violation of the National Electrical Code.
--
CheckSite.us | YourIP.us | Reverseip.us | |
|
 | 
Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by Rob  :The maximum safe number of power strips that can be daisy chained is zero. Get a larger power strip, but do not daisy chain them. In fact, I believe it's a violation of the National Electrical Code. Well of course all depends what you plug into the.... a dosen 20 watt wall warts or 20 1500 watt toasters.
Again it gets down to 2 things really what is the house circuit rated for, and the strips remembering load on 2nd adds to first.
But again you can plug 100 15watt things into 15amp circuit.... but not even 2 1500 watt toasters or hair dryers.
--
»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
| |
|
|
|
Randells
@jillyred.net
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips Zero? If I have two power strips, I say, "I daisy chained two power strips together." You don't say, "I daisy chained one power strip together" unless you plugged it into itself (and even then it might not be considered a "daisy chain"). So my point is, what I think you guys are trying to say is that the maximum number of safely daisy chained power strips is 1. | |
|
| | |
TearAbite
join:2001-07-25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Where i work, if the safety officer catches you daisy chaining power strips you will get a little checkmark next to your name on the safety-list.. | |
|
| 51200853
join:2005-09-08
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by TearAbite :Where i work, if the safety officer catches you daisy chaining power strips you will get a little checkmark next to your name on the safety-list.. I am going to take a big guess that he is not doing it at work. | |
|
mbaha
join:2009-03-01 | meh just make sure the first one doesn't get tooo hot and your golden
--
Don't remind of the things I said or I'll be hurt
| |
|
| 
rawwhide
Zer0
Premium
join:2000-09-03
Zero
clubs:
 ·AT&T DSL Service
2 edits | Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by mbaha :meh just make sure the first one doesn't get tooo hot and your golden Make sure you don't draw more wattage than is rated for the first one. I would say zero as well. If anything you should use extension cords. | |
|
| | 
timcuth
Braves Fan
Premium
join:2000-09-18
Pelham, AL
clubs:
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by rawwhide :said by mbaha :meh just make sure the first one doesn't get tooo hot and your golden Make sure you don't draw more wattage than is rated for the first one. I would say zero as well. If anything you should use extension cords. Or for the outlet the first one is plugged in to. 
Tim
--
"Life is like this long line, except at the end there ain't no merry-go-round." - Arthur on The King of Queens
~ Project Hope ~ | |
|
| | |
rawwhide
Zer0
Premium
join:2000-09-03
Zero
clubs:
·AT&T DSL Service
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by timcuth :said by rawwhide :said by mbaha :meh just make sure the first one doesn't get tooo hot and your golden Make sure you don't draw more wattage than is rated for the first one. I would say zero as well. If anything you should use extension cords. Or for the outlet the first one is plugged in to. Tim If he is going to overload the outlet then the question about chaining shouldn't have been asked. If he is going to fry the wall socket and burn the house down he is going to do it without any daisy chaining. 
--
To talk much and arrive nowhere is the same as climbing a tree to catch a fish. | |
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
timcuth
Braves Fan
Premium
join:2000-09-18
Pelham, AL
clubs:
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by Anonymous_ :meh..... i have a Large 30"CRT Trinitron 5.1 system Playstation 3 playstation 2 USA playstation 2 Japan External HDD Cable Box Computer Fridge (full size) another 5.1 system for my computer and one LCD Monitor all pulged into 1 20 amp circuit I wish you luck. You need it.
Tim
--
"Life is like this long line, except at the end there ain't no merry-go-round." - Arthur on The King of Queens
~ Project Hope ~ | |
|
| | | | | 
Gbcue
E.I.T.
Premium
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA
clubs:
 ·T-Mobile US
 ·Skype
 ·Dreamhost
·Comcast
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| said by Anonymous_ :said by rawwhide :If he is going to overload the outlet then the question about chaining shouldn't have been asked. If he is going to fry the wall socket and burn the house down he is going to do it without any daisy chaining. meh..... i have a Large 30"CRT Trinitron 5.1 system Playstation 3 playstation 2 USA playstation 2 Japan External HDD Cable Box Computer Fridge (full size) another 5.1 system for my computer and one LCD Monitor all pulged into 1 20 amp circuit When you make it in the paper, send us the link!
--
My BLOG!
Black Friday Ads | |
|
| | | | | TheMG
join:2007-09-04
Edmonton, AB
·TELUS
| Large 30"CRT Trinitron ~240W
5.1 system ~30W
Playstation 3 ~200W
playstation 2 USA ~45W
playstation 2 Japan ~45W
External HDD ~15W
Cable Box ~15W
Computer (assuming a high-end gaming PC under worst load condition) ~500W
Fridge (full size) (let's assume and old power hog of) ~500W
another 5.1 system for my computer ~30W
and one LCD Monitor ~60W
------------------------------
Estimated max power consumption: 1680W
Current draw: 14.6A at 115V
Now this is not taking into account power factor, but assuming that it's not too bad, then if he is using 20A power strips and 20A plugs (the ones with the right angle prongs), he'd be ok under worst load conditions, everything turned on drawing max power, or if the loads are split up between more than one 15A outlets then he's ok too. | |
|
| | | | | | 
Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
4 edits | Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by TheMG :Large 30"CRT Trinitron ~240W 5.1 system ~30W Playstation 3 ~200W playstation 2 USA ~45W playstation 2 Japan ~45W External HDD ~15W Cable Box ~15W Computer (assuming a high-end gaming PC under worst load condition) ~500W Fridge (full size) (let's assume and old power hog of) ~500W another 5.1 system for my computer ~30W and one LCD Monitor ~60W ------------------------------ Estimated max power consumption: 1680W Current draw: 14.6A at 115V Now this is not taking into account power factor, but assuming that it's not too bad, then if he is using 20A power strips and 20A plugs (the ones with the right angle prongs), he'd be ok under worst load conditions, everything turned on drawing max power, or if the loads are split up between more than one 15A outlets then he's ok too. US ps2 system is 95watts max japan is 45 watts max
one of the 5.1systems use upto 250Watts(that is what it shows on the label)
GFCI 20amp
Fridge is pulged into the outlite
the rest is on a belkin power strip
also add 15watts for the Ethernet over powerline yes it works pulged into the surge protector | |
|
| | | | | |
Gbcue
E.I.T.
Premium
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA
clubs:
·T-Mobile US
·Skype
·Dreamhost
·Comcast
·AT&T U-Verse
| said by TheMG :Large 30"CRT Trinitron ~240W 5.1 system ~30W Playstation 3 ~200W playstation 2 USA ~45W playstation 2 Japan ~45W External HDD ~15W Cable Box ~15W Computer (assuming a high-end gaming PC under worst load condition) ~500W Fridge (full size) (let's assume and old power hog of) ~500W another 5.1 system for my computer ~30W and one LCD Monitor ~60W ------------------------------ Estimated max power consumption: 1680W Current draw: 14.6A at 115V Now this is not taking into account power factor, but assuming that it's not too bad, then if he is using 20A power strips and 20A plugs (the ones with the right angle prongs), he'd be ok under worst load conditions, everything turned on drawing max power, or if the loads are split up between more than one 15A outlets then he's ok too. Let's try this again.
Large 30"CRT Trinitron - 240W
5.1 system - 500W
Playstation 3 - 200W
playstation 2 USA - 95W
playstation 2 Japan - 45W
External HDD - 15W
Cable Box - 15W
Computer - 600W
Fridge (full size) - 500W
another 5.1 system for my computer - 500W
and one LCD Monitor - 100W
------------------------------------
Total: 2810W @ 120V AC = 23A
@ 110V AC = 25.5A
Over if all are used at the same time.
I don't know about you guys, but my 5.1 systems are a minimum of 500W RMS.
--
My BLOG!
Black Friday Ads | |
|
| | | | | | |
Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
3 edits | Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by Gbcue :said by TheMG :Large 30"CRT Trinitron ~240W 5.1 system ~30W Playstation 3 ~200W playstation 2 USA ~45W playstation 2 Japan ~45W External HDD ~15W Cable Box ~15W Computer (assuming a high-end gaming PC under worst load condition) ~500W Fridge (full size) (let's assume and old power hog of) ~500W another 5.1 system for my computer ~30W and one LCD Monitor ~60W ------------------------------ Estimated max power consumption: 1680W Current draw: 14.6A at 115V Now this is not taking into account power factor, but assuming that it's not too bad, then if he is using 20A power strips and 20A plugs (the ones with the right angle prongs), he'd be ok under worst load conditions, everything turned on drawing max power, or if the loads are split up between more than one 15A outlets then he's ok too. Let's try this again. Large 30"CRT Trinitron - 240W 5.1 system - 500W Playstation 3 - 200W playstation 2 USA - 95W playstation 2 Japan - 45W External HDD - 15W Cable Box - 15W Computer - 600W Fridge (full size) - 500W another 5.1 system for my computer - 500W and one LCD Monitor - 100W ------------------------------------ Total: 2810W @ 120V AC = 23A @ 110V AC = 25.5A Over if all are used at the same time. I don't know about you guys, but my 5.1 systems are a minimum of 500W RMS. you do not need 500watts to drive speakers
my wal-mart amp drives a 10in subwoofer (4ohms)and two large 2" Air horn Tweeter /8in Woffers-speakers (6ohms)
it's max watt is 55
i tryed Frying the amp by connecting a lot of speakers but was unsuccessful  | |
|
| | | | | | | | 
pnjunction
Teksavvy Premium
Premium
join:2008-01-24
Toronto, ON
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by Anonymous_ :you do not need 500watts to drive speakers my wal-mart amp You might if it's not from wal-mart. :P Sorry couldn't resist.
My Logitech z-5300 set is rated for peak 560W and the z-5500 is over 1000w. That said, there's no way you could sanely crank out all of that power. With a decent source (sources that are weak I have to turn them up) I can't even get close to halfway before it's uncomfortably loud. Full power it would be painful and the cops would probably show up. | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
3 edits | Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by pnjunction :said by Anonymous_ :you do not need 500watts to drive speakers my wal-mart amp You might if it's not from wal-mart. :P Sorry couldn't resist. My Logitech z-5300 set is rated for peak 560W and the z-5500 is over 1000w. That said, there's no way you could sanely crank out all of that power. With a decent source (sources that are weak I have to turn them up) I can't even get close to halfway before it's uncomfortably loud. Full power it would be painful and the cops would probably show up. let's not for get my SubWoofer is a true sub as it rated to 18hz your is only rated to 35hz
yours is a Woofer and not a sub-woofer
sub is rated for 300WATT RMS (1,000MAX PMPO) other two are 150watt RMS each (300MAX PMPO) | |
|
| | | | | | | | | 
Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT
clubs:
·STANAPHONE
·Packet8
| said by pnjunction :said by Anonymous_ :you do not need 500watts to drive speakers my wal-mart amp You might if it's not from wal-mart. :P Sorry couldn't resist. My Logitech z-5300 set is rated for peak 560W and the z-5500 is over 1000w. That said, there's no way you could sanely crank out all of that power. With a decent source (sources that are weak I have to turn them up) I can't even get close to halfway before it's uncomfortably loud. Full power it would be painful and the cops would probably show up. Cool I have the Z-580's
--
It's NOT Ni-kon It's NE-KON!
| |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by Subaru :said by pnjunction :said by Anonymous_ :you do not need 500watts to drive speakers my wal-mart amp You might if it's not from wal-mart. :P Sorry couldn't resist. My Logitech z-5300 set is rated for peak 560W and the z-5500 is over 1000w. That said, there's no way you could sanely crank out all of that power. With a decent source (sources that are weak I have to turn them up) I can't even get close to halfway before it's uncomfortably loud. Full power it would be painful and the cops would probably show up. Cool I have the Z-580's just do not play woofer cooker song on the logitech LOL as you will blow that 6.5" mid-woofer | |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
1 edit | Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by Gbcue :said by Anonymous_ :said by Subaru :the heat sink got nice and toasty that means you over heated it my sub stays cold even with max power and highest setting on the EQ No it doesn't. A warm HS means it's working. My subs HS gets warm as well. Your subs are just cheap underpowered pieces of crap. meh 10watts to a 10" subwoofer will move more air then a 6.5" subwoofer at 10 watts | |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT
clubs:
·STANAPHONE
·Packet8
| said by Gbcue :said by Anonymous_ :said by Subaru :the heat sink got nice and toasty that means you over heated it my sub stays cold even with max power and highest setting on the EQ No it doesn't. A warm HS means it's working. My subs HS gets warm as well. Your subs are just cheap underpowered pieces of crap. Any amp I've seen and felt when not being underpowered will get warm when playing music.. mindyou when you say "Sub stays cold" it's not the sub but the amp and the amp provides amplification not only just to the sub but the other 5 speakers.
--
It's NOT Ni-kon It's NE-KON!
| |
|
| | | | | | | | | SmokChsr
Who let the magic smoke out?
Premium
join:2006-03-17
Saint Augustine, FL | Re: Daisy chaining power strips If you have any audio equipment that is rated in "Peak" power, rest assured it's a "inexpensive" substitute for the real thing.
All serious equipment is rated for "RMS" power.
| |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
·Time Warner Cable
·Time Warner VOIP
2 edits | Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by SmokChsr :If you have any audio equipment that is rated in "Peak" power, rest assured it's a "inexpensive" substitute for the real thing. All serious equipment is rated for "RMS" power. the wal-mart amp has a toroidal core transformer as i opened it up to *see * what cheap parts are used
80 (95)VA to 120 (145) VA toroidal core transformer | |
|
| | | | | | | | | TheMG
join:2007-09-04
Edmonton, AB
·TELUS
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by Anonymous_ :the wal-mart amp has a toroidal core transformer as i opened it up to *see * what cheap parts are used 80 (95)VA to 120 (145) VA toroidal core transformer Which means jackshit. Any manufacturer could decide to stick a toroidal transformer in and claim the amp is high quality. Toroids aren't really a sign of quality, but they do have some advantages, mainly smaller size and weight compared to their E-I core counterparts. Traditionally they were more expensive, but I'm not sure if that's the case anymore.
The only way to tell if the amp is a good design and lives up to its expectations is to put it through its paces in a series of bench tests.
For one this means running the amplifier up to its rated power output into a dummy load and measuring distortion using a distortion analyzer. That's the most basic test, and the one where poorly designed or overrated amplifiers will fail.
Distortion in excess of 1% THD at the amplifier's maximum rated power level could be considered a failure. Many consumer grade amplifiers tend to have distortion levels as high as 10% at their max rated power. | |
|
| | | | | | | | | srr2
join:2001-12-20
Bethlehem, PA
·RCN CABLE
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips The greatest advantage to a toroidal power transformer is its lack of an external magnetic field. That can yield enormous advantages in the design of low-noise circuitry that has to be positioned physically close to it. I've never seen a size advantage to a toroid, but maybe those who have are using really expensive core material. | |
|
| | | | | | | | | public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA
·DSL EXTREME
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by srr2 :The greatest advantage to a toroidal power transformer is its lack of an external magnetic field. That can yield enormous advantages in the design of low-noise circuitry that has to be positioned physically close to it. I've never seen a size advantage to a toroid, but maybe those who have are using really expensive core material. Toroids still leak just a bit less. The shape is preferred for switching transformers because of significantly lower parasitics.
The smaller size of 60 Hz units means higher design flux, and hence higher inrush current. Toroids designed by an idiot can blow huge cartridge fuses on power on, and can easily burn socket strips.
| |
|
| | | | | | | | | An_Onymous
join:2009-10-24
Canada
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips >The shape is preferred for switching transformers because of significantly lower parasitics.
Parasitic is determined largely by how the coil is wounded and core material. Can you please elaborate?
R - your magnetic material, copper losses etc
C- how you overlap the windings make more difference.
Aside from the geometry of the material (toroid vs EI cores), leakage inductance is also determined by the amount of coupling between windings. Bifilar windings has lower leakages etc. | |
|
| | | | | | | | | public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA
·DSL EXTREME
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by An_Onymous :Parasitic is determined largely by how the coil is wounded and core material. Can you please elaborate? Aside from the geometry of the material (toroid vs EI cores), leakage inductance is also determined by the amount of coupling between windings. Bifilar windings has lower leakages etc. Parasitics have little to do with the material. Mainly configuration. Bifilar is good, shell even better.
Main point is that with no gap high flux 60Hz designs the inrush current can be destructive. | |
|
| | | | | | | | | An_Onymous
join:2009-10-24
Canada
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips >Parasitics have little to do with the material.
Core losses etc does not exist in your Universe of high frequency transformers!?
>Mainly configuration.
And yet you suggested that toroids have lower parasitics for switching transformers... Coils configuration are different than core geometry. :P
>Main point is that with no gap high flux 60Hz designs the inrush current can be destructive.
That part I did not argue with. Toroid material can have internal air gaps based on the mix.
The inrush current only last a few cycles and the current decay exponentially. This happens when the current is switched on at zero crossing and saturated the core. Also a matter of picking a slow/time delay fuse correctly.
An idiot could wired up the center tap incorrectly i.e. connect 2 windings in series backwards etc too. ;P Nothing is fool proof. | |
|
| | | | | | | | | SmokChsr
Who let the magic smoke out?
Premium
join:2006-03-17
Saint Augustine, FL
| said by Anonymous_ : the wal-mart amp has a toroidal core transformer as i opened it up to *see * what cheap parts are used 80 (95)VA to 120 (145) VA toroidal core transformer Quite a bit of newer equipment is using toroid wound transformers, it's primarily for size reduction, it fits better. If it's rated at 145VA then you pretty much know it'll only be capable of about 100W RMS power Max, more likely close to 35W power out. | |
|
| | | | | 
Mdoc
Ehh... munch munch... what's up, Doc?
join:2007-03-27
Sterling, VA
4 edits | i have a
Large 30"CRT Trinitron
5.1 system
Playstation 3
playstation 2 USA
playstation 2 Japan
External HDD
Cable Box
Computer
Fridge (full size)
another 5.1 system for my computer
and one LCD Monitor
all pulged into 1 20 amp circuit
Sure, I believe that can be done safely. But you can't add much more in the same circuit branch in the room, unless you want to blow a circuit breaker.
I wouldn't do the daisy-chaining of power strips for aesthetic reasons, but I've done this at work to "bridge" the distance gap. As someone already mentioned here, just pay attention to the total current draw. But sometimes you don't know what it is until you actually sit down and do the calculations for not just the power strip current draw, but also the current draw of the entire circuit branch from the breaker box that the power strip(s) is connected to.
And yes, I have connected equipment in daisy-chained power strips and have blown a circuit breaker because of it. There was no fire. If there's nothing but one or two equipment connected to a daisy-chained power strip, there's no hazard esp. if they don't draw too much power. However, I don't implement daisy-chained power strips as a permanet application, even at work. It's strictly a temporary application.
And I've even turned everything on in my basement den except my laserprinter; and when I turned on my printer, the circuit breaker tripped and the room went dark. And I didn't use no stinkin' power strip.
And I think both the zero daisy-chain opinion and the entire discussions in this thread are ridiculous. Got a few laughs, though.
Keep in mind that some strips have resetable fuses built into them--typically no more than 2 amps (for short strips). Any overcurrent will trip that fuse instead of the breaker box.
edit: corrected quoting problem | |
|
| |
| | |
wolfy339
join:2005-04-30
Edmonds, WA
3 edits | Quoting a flyer on compliance.gov:
quote:
The supply of readily available electrical outlets is inadequate in some buildings, especially older ones. To meet power supply needs, extension cords or surge protected power strips are often interconnected, or “daisy chained,” to readily provide more outlets and/or to reach greater distances. Another common solution is to create a “mixed daisy chain,” interconnecting extension cords and power strips. However, interconnecting these devices is a violation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and the National Electrical Code because doing so can cause them to become overloaded, leading to their failure and a possible fire. (See the Office of Compliance “Extension Cords” Fast Facts for more information).
(»www.compliance.gov/forms-pubs/er···ains.pdf)
Thus I have to agree with Rob and Gbcue in saying that the maximum number of powerstrips/surge protectors that can be safely daisy chained is Zero. The obvious concern being that the more power strips you daisy chain the greater the risk that you may go over the rated current capacity of one or more of the strips (or the circuit breaker) or cause one or more of the strips to overheat causing a fire.
--
Computer: PIII/733, 512MB DDR RAM, ATI Xpert2000, 60&320GB HDDs, Windows XP PRO SP3, Mcafee 2009 AV/FW, Creative SB Live, Samsung SyncMaster 2443BWX, Verizon DSL 768/128 w/ Westell 6100 C90 | |
|
psafux
VIP
join:2005-11-10
| said by TimOnTheRoad :
Hey guys, what is the maximum safe number of power strips that can be daisy chained. Thanks.
Ø
--
Yes. the cat in my avatar is indeed mine. | |
|
Selenia
I'm a PC running Linux, so sue me
Premium
join:2006-09-22
Pittsfield, MA
·RoadRunner Cable
·Verizon Online DSL
| Meh. My setup in my study has a daisy chain of 2 not for more outlets, but to have a couple on each side of the room. The first one is a ups with a display that shows my load and I never plug in much. I'd say I'm pretty safe. I just use common sense and also don't invite inspectors over tea, although I had an electrician visit recently who said my setup was more than fine. He was there to evaluate adding more outlets, among a few other things. So no more daisy chaining soon. I did it for years though. | |
|
| 
SLD
Premium
join:2002-04-17 | Re: Daisy chaining power strips AHHHRG! | |
|
|
TheMG
join:2007-09-04
Edmonton, AB
·TELUS
1 edit | I must confess that I am guilty of plugging a power strip into another power strip.
I do take precautions to stay on the safe side though:
-purchase only good quality strips rated 15A or more, with 16 AWG wire or better, and with outlets that grip firmly
-strips should have their own circuit breaker built-in, especially if you're using 15A strips and your building has 20A circuits!
-calculate the maximum load all the devices you intend to connect to it will draw in the worst case scenario, an ensure this does not exceed 15A or the rating of the lowest rated strip
One note about the wire gauge, I open up the strips and check them visually. After seeing many cords and strips where the actual wire gauge was much smaller than the rating I am very cautious about it and always check any new strips I buy no matter what the intended usage is.
Stick to that and connected one strip to another is pretty safe, however it remains and always will be a violation of some rule. | |
|
|
See 7 replies to this post |
|
aurgathor
join:2002-12-01
Lynnwood, WA
| Usually, it's too much current that creates fire hazard, but bad contacts can play an important role, too.
As long as you don't exceed the rating of any single outlet or pair of wire, and the connections are good, you should be OK. (you will probably violate fire codes, though)
--
And the winner is: | |
|
SirMeowmix_I
@windstream.net
| Be careful. I did this once and the other one went critical and melted. Seriously. Someone was building another computer at a LAN party install Linux and the power strip melted and smelled horrible. I think it was because they were running a dual monitor setup and there was too much current over the 14/2. | |
|
| 
NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by SirMeowmix_I :
Be careful. I did this once and the other one went critical and melted. Seriously. Someone was building another computer at a LAN party install Linux and the power strip melted and smelled horrible. I think it was because they were running a dual monitor setup and there was too much current over the 14/2.
Serious gamers are driving computers that can pull over 1000 watts nowdays. Monitors (LCD)'s generally use less than a standard lightbulb. | |
|
| | Selenia
I'm a PC running Linux, so sue me
Premium
join:2006-09-22
Pittsfield, MA
·RoadRunner Cable
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by NOCMan :said by SirMeowmix_I :
Be careful. I did this once and the other one went critical and melted. Seriously. Someone was building another computer at a LAN party install Linux and the power strip melted and smelled horrible. I think it was because they were running a dual monitor setup and there was too much current over the 14/2.
Serious gamers are driving computers that can pull over 1000 watts nowdays. Monitors (LCD)'s generally use less than a standard lightbulb. My most power-hungry box draws about 450 watts peak(even though its PSU is 750), total with OpenGL 3D graphics running. My point here is that modern CPUs draw less juice versus the work they do than older high-end machines. Most also scale thei9r clock speed these days with the work being done. Of course a CRT would probably push any of my machines over 500 or 600. Some gamers prefer a CRT. I'm not one of them. | |
|
Locutus65
Honk if you love peace and quiet.
Premium
join:2001-05-24
Houston, TX
clubs: | Just go to your local big home supply store and get a power strip with more outlets. I have one I bought for $30 that has 18 outlets.
--
The only thing we have to fear is Fear itself...... and spiders. | |
|
|
Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips Either way you need to keep a tally on the current draw.... you still couldn't plug 18 toasters into that thing without blowing or starting a fire.
--
»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
| |
|
| | |
| | |
Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
4 edits | Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by Locutus65 :said by Hayward :Either way you need to keep a tally on the current draw.... you still couldn't plug 18 toasters into that thing without blowing or starting a fire. Thank you, I should have mentioned that  And by the way the 18 toasters would blow for sure.... but the MOST dangerous thing you can do is push a circuit right to its limit.
Creates a lot of heat and breaker or fuse a little off spec can lead to fire.(But major overload/short would have blown) In my case only burnt the cartridge fuse block.... could have been much,much worse.
--
»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
| |
|
yjfgdfgdfsgs
@comcast.net
| "Just go to your local big home supply store and get a power strip with more outlets. I have one I bought for $30 that has 18 outlets."
Ummm... That would solve half the problem (not enough outlets) but the load must still be under what the wiring in the building / wiring of the strip can safely carry....
On a side note, if my house burns down, the firefighters will probably freak out.....
I have a UPS at the end of an extension cord, and six outlet strips plug into that! 36 outlets total!!!!
Actually, theres only one item plugged into each outlet strip.... I use them for the switches, so I can shut off each item independently..... (for example my router is on its own strip, so If I am not using it, I turn it off.... instant effective firewall!)
I think I have measured my consumption at around 100W or so.....
| |
|
dfasdfghdf
@comcast.net
| Well say the fuses have a rating, eg. 20A......
If the fuse gets a short, then it should blow immediately.....
However, it could get 20A - 22A of current and take forever to finally blow.... but in the mean time heat is generated in the wires..... and if any of those wires are not rated at 20+A (in this example) then it could have plenty of time to melt / catch on fire....
So you have to be careful and measure your loads and put some on different circuits if you are getting too close to the rating of the "weakest link" in your setup. | |
|
|
| patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by cowboyro : Even the cheap power strips have overcurrent protection. No.
I just took a UL power strip. Plugged 2 space heaters into it, its on 20 amp circuit, amp meter says 24 amps are going through, 30 seconds go by (it could have gone longer, I'm not running this experiment any longer), no power strip trip. Then I turn on a hair dryer (hair dryer, 2 space heaters total), amp meter jumps to 38 amps, 6 seconds later the power switch of the power strip snaps off. Hair dryer and space heater, 28 amps, 16 seconds to trip.
The fact it didn't trip at 24 amps is very scary. The trip curve of the power strip "15 amp" breaker seems more liberal than the 20 amp circuit breaker's trip curve. This is totally unsafe  Only thing that power strip breaker might do is stop a short or 3 space heaters, it won't stop a small overload from melting the power strip or its 14 gauge cord over many minutes/hours.
Test was done with a clamp amp meter and special extension cord to break out the conductor. Power strip tested was E89769 model BB-06, "relocatable power tap", hologram UL sticker says "transient voltage surge suppressor 99K8". | |
|
| | SmokChsr
Who let the magic smoke out?
Premium
join:2006-03-17
Saint Augustine, FL
| Re: Daisy chaining power strips said by patcat88 :I just took a UL power strip. Plugged 2 space heaters into it, its on 20 amp circuit, amp meter says 24 amps are going through, 30 seconds go by (it could have gone longer, I'm not running this experiment any longer), no power strip trip. Just about any breaker will be slow to trip at 160% of it's rating. A typical 15 amp breaker will let you get away with 16 amps for over an hour. | |
|
| | |
|
d25m03p
Premium
join:2007-12-26
Langley, BC
·TekSavvy Solutions..
·Bell Sympatico
| Two answers;
1. You can daisy chain infinitely.... Just make sure that the first strip in the chain is not plugged in!
2. Probably (as others have said), zero, none, nada. One strip per power outlet.
Realistic answer; Probably one or two maximum. Watch your total current load load though. Put the heavy current appliances on the first strip, and the low power appliances (e.g. cell phone charger) on the subsequent strip. | |
|
ws27
join:2005-08-30
Hemet, CA
| Speaking of people changing out breakers, I once saw someone piggy back there spa wiring into the air conditioner wiring. They then placed a much larger breaker into the main electrical panel and wondered why the spa didn't work right. The wiring leaving the panel was noticeably burnt. | |
|
dipweed23
join:2009-07-21
Ypsilanti, MI
| I have two chained together, but it's mostly because wall warts take up 2 spaces or more. I don't have a lot plugged in, and the ones with wall wart spaced plugs only have 3 or 4 and cost 3 or 4 times as much.
Plug in the computer and monitor in the first one and use the second one for wall warts. Just don't push the first one to near its max capacity, and you should be safe, even if not in compliance with labeling.
YMMV and if you over load it and burn the place down, you can't say you haven't been warned of possibilities. | |
|
Hydraglass
Premium
join:2002-05-08
Kingston, ON
·Bell Sympatico
| The simple solution to this is to buy a "pretty good" or better rated UPS that is rated for your expected load. You can then safely plug outlet strips into each of the outlets on the UPS to run your loads. This is far safer than daisy chaining. Why? Each and every outlet on the UPS is "rated to carry" up to the rated level of the UPS, but the sum of all the outlets on the UPS shall never exceed the total rated capacity of the UPS, and if it does, the UPS will shut off or pop its integrated breaker.
So - if you figure your total load will be 1500W (12.5A) - purchase a 1500 or 1750 VA rated UPS. Plug your 4 or 5 power strips into 4 or 5 of the outlets on the UPS. Maybe you need 6 devices with battery back-up protection? Put that strip or maybe 2 strips if you have a bunch of wall-warts that take up a load of strip space into the battery backup protected outlets. Then maybe you have 9 other devices - put them on 2 or 3 other strips plugged into the "surge/breaker protected only" outlets.
Now if you push your load on any one strip to 1500 watts, but nothing on the other strips it'll keep running, and that strip will not be overloaded, nor will the UPS. If you put 500 on each of three strips, you won't be constantly pushing 1500 watts through the cord on the first strip - you will be pushing 1500 watts through the UPS, but if it's rated at 1500VA, it'll be designed to easily handle that through its primary circuitry, breaker, and wiring.
And yes, I am an electrician (journeyman). | |
|
|
|
|
