extension sockets

[mgurrin]

Moved into a new house and only have 1 socket in the room where i run my TV and PC's but i need 10 plugs, is it ok to plug in a 2 port extension cable then plug into that 2 extension leads to give me the 10 sockets i need for 2 pc's and monitors etc and a tv with sky and dvd?

cheers
Miles

 

[davy_owen_88]

Technically you can, but its a really bad way of dealing with the issue.

You understand that all the current will be flowing through the first extension lead you connect to the plug and that will be fused with a 13A fuse. Which means 13 amps will have to be sufficient for all the appliances you will plug into the 10 sockets available. Its very easy to overload when using this extension lead method. Plus the use of extension leads adds to the earth loop impedance which you rely on to disconnect the supply in the event of a fault.

Just get in an electrician to add a couple of extra plugs, or if you think you can do it safely, then you are allowed to add a spur from the original socket.

Davy

 

[mgurrin]

thx

ok what is a spur? and how do i get it put in place?

 

[Steve]

Stick with the extension leads. I have heard of more dangerous things. Your PC and TV setup are all low power appliances, mostly drawing less than an amp.

I was at The Range in Doncaster today, they have a "santa's grotto", basically a big display in a blacked out gazebo to show off their xmas lighting range. Its a 9x3 gazebo, completely stuffed with christmas lights, trees, fiber-optics. All running off 2 x 13 amp extension leads. I lost count of the number of 4-way leads in there.

 

[davy_owen_88]

Stick with the extension leads. I have heard of more dangerous things. Your PC and TV setup are all low power appliances, mostly drawing less than an amp.

I was at The Range in Doncaster today, they have a "santa's grotto", basically a big display in a blacked out gazebo to show off their xmas lighting range. Its a 9x3 gazebo, completely stuffed with christmas lights, trees, fiber-optics. All running off 2 x 13 amp extension leads. I lost count of the number of 4-way leads in there.

A few christmas lights doesn't really compare to 2 PC's and a TV with all the accessories but like I said, it is possible, but its not good practice to power a whole room from extension leads. 'Santa's grotto' is using a temporary solution to an unusual demand for lots of sockets, not a long term solution to a permanent demand for the sockets.

The price of a couple of double sockets and a few metres of t&e isn't going to break the bank but you get the peace of mind that you don't need to worry about fusing the plug and losing all your work which could easily happen if an electric heater was used or when another extension lead is connected to the extension lead that is connected to the extension lead ...

Just my opinion of course, but the demand for sockets is only going to increase with time so you might aswell add a few sockets around the room and be done with it.

Here are some useful webpages if you decide to wire in some sockets...

//www.diynot.com/pages/el/el018.php
//www.diynot.com/pages/el/el012.php
//www.diynot.com/pages/el/el013.php

If you don't think you can do this safely then continue using the extension leads or get in a competant electrician.

Davy

 

[Pensdown]

My solution would be

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48036&doy=11m12&C=SEO&U=strat15

(with a 7amp fuse in the plug )

 

[mgurrin]

Thanks for all the replies, as i am a total dunce with electrics i have gone with the 10 plug adaptor from the above post.

Cheers
Miles

 

[RF Lighting]

I used to install shopping centre christmas lights, grottos etc. (All temporary setups for obvious reasons) The amount of four gangs used on that job is unfathomable. 8-10 4 gangs daisy chained was not uncommon