Overloading a single NZ wall power socket? Daisy-chaining x2 power boards?

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RolemasterGM

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#251356 20-Jun-2019 21:47

We are moving things around our small 40’s built house, and that means bringing my large desktop PC and my wife's decent sized PC into the same room. The problem is that the room has very few power sockets on the wall and we will have to “daisy chain”; (ie connect) firstly (1) an extension cord from the socket to (2) x6 socket powerboard then and second (3) shorter extension cord to a final (4) x3 socket powerboard.

I will be using x2 power boards with Surge Protection (something like this https://www.bunnings.co.nz/hpm-6-outlet-powerboard-with-surge-protection_p00101825 or will I need something tougher?)

The equipment that we will be using on that socket include;

x6 socket powerboard:

1xPC (650W PSU)
1x LED monitor
1x inkjet printer
X1 desk lamp (40W)
(+ the second extension cord plugged in to “daisy-chain” to the second powerboard)

x3 socket powerboard:

1xPC (760W PSU)
1x LED monitor
1x free standing floor lamp (40W)

I'm wondering whether the power draw on a single wall socket will be too much?

Is there a way to work out the power draw/capacity of the socket?

Look forward to your thoughts and thanks very much in advance. 😄

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Sideface

9354 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#2262132 21-Jun-2019 18:51

I have an 1918-vintage villa with antique single power points.

Instead of using nasty powerboards, I self-installed quad switch socket outlets throughout the house ...

horizontal:

vertical:

These are of good quality, they are widely available, and are designed for Australian/NZ conditions and voltages.

I have five of them in my geeky computer room (= 20 power points). No powerboards at all.

[5-switch versions are also available]

Sideface

andrewNZ

2487 posts

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Inactive user

#2262264 22-Jun-2019 00:06

Daisy chaining is never great, maybe this board instead.
You're not coming close to max load. I'd be genuinely surprised if you draw more than 1000w (4ish amps).

I'd expect your PC's to draw maybe 250-300W fully loaded probably only 100-150w most of the time.
Lamps are stuff all, and could be totally insignificant if you put LED lamps in them.
Monitors are probably going to draw less than the desk lamps
Printer is part time load and is insignificant.

I'd recommend against changing the sockets yourself. Despite how easy it seams, old houses can have some nasty traps, including wiring that falls apart when disturbed.