ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Overloaded Circuit or what? :eek:

In my bedroom (I still live with my parents so don't laugh ) Computer side of my room. 8 Outlet strip - Computer,Monitor,Cable Modem,Linksys Router,Printer,Scanner,Speakers,6 outlet tap(non surge pluged into surge strip to get surge protection),Digital Camera recharger.

Entertainment Center in my room. 8 Outlet surge strip TV,VCR,Cable Box,Receiver,DVD Player,CD Player,Playstation 2

All on one 15 AMP Circuit (Have not tripped a breaker yet.)

Damn meant to post in "Does the code keep up with technology?

Circuit breakers have been known to malfunction, that is, to not trip at their rated current.
You could check by measuring the current at peak load.

I like fuses. There is very little that can go wrong with them when used properly.

Ed

take an amp reading with a clamp on ammeter. You will find your actual use load if everything is on. Probably you will find a load a lot less than you think. Most modern electronic equipment like you described draws little load.

It's when some wise-guy goes to plug in a heater that you have a problem.

Do your power strips have fuses/circuit breakers on them?

What do y'all think of those mini-breakers on plug-strips? Are they reliable?

I've only seen one blow so far....because I plugged a heater and a vacuum cleaner and a computer into one to see what would happen.

It did trip....but I've known two instances (one personally) where a brand new strip shot sparks as soon as it was plugged into the floor receptacle.

I also prefer fuses (non-tamp type), but when the three dedicated 20 amp circuits were added to my apartment, the EC changed the existing fuse panel (two 15 amp circuits) for a breaker box.

Yes 15 AMP resetable circut breaker
don't know if they are reliable as I never had one trip

Man is that ever true? See that situation all of the time in commercial buildings. Seems everyone wants one under the desk !

Yeah, and then they complain when the breaker trips and they lose an hour's worth of work because they did not hit the save button.

Save early, save often.
Scott

I doubt you have any potential overload situation there. Just taking some power consumption figures out of thin air, and being very liberal with them, let's say:

Computer 300W (unless it's a big Unix server or a Kray!)
Monitor 100W
Receiver (powerful amplifier?) 100W
TV 200W (big screen color).

Let's go crazy and allow 50W each for modem, router, printer (unless it's a laser type), scanner, computer speaker/amp, camera charger, VCR, cable box, DVD, CD, and Play-Station, even though with modern equipment they'd be unlikely to use anything like that much power.

That would still be only 1250 watts total, or a little over 10 amps.

I'd bet that in practice and assuming this is all fairly average modern equipment, even with everything on that list running flat out you'd be unlikely to see even half that much current flowing


[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 04-16-2003).]

"What do you mean it's bad? It works doesn't it?"