Power usage question

Forums › Home Workshop › Power usage question

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

Topic # 182517 19-Oct-2015 12:52

Hello,

I have a question about power usage, this might not be the right place.

Currently I have a double wall socket. One socket is connected by a surge protector, which powers my 48" TV, PS4, PS3, router, modem and home theater. Only one of the PS3 or PS4 are used at once. The other socket I use for charging phones and game controllers.

The other side of the room I have a PC, which uses two sockets, the PC and the 28" monitor.

I am looking at moving my PC to the TV, giving me the option of dual monitors or playing games, while watching TV.

This means at one time I could have TV, PS4, router, modem, home theater, computer, another monitor, controllers and phone charging on a double socket.

Would this be OK? My PC is 2 years old (graphics card and SSD are 3 years old) and my TV about 1 year old so not too old and would presume pretty energy efficient thus not using much power?

Thanks.

ubergeeknz

3343 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1089

Trusted

Vocus

Reply # 1409181 19-Oct-2015 13:01

One person supports this post

A double socket (should) be rated to at least 15A and with that list of appliances you shouldn't even be getting remotely close. Even a single socket at 10A should be able to run all of that no sweat.

Jase2985

7677 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2527

Subscriber

Reply # 1409182 19-Oct-2015 13:01

One person supports this post

you need to know the power draw for each component, which is generally listed on it. total them up and they should be less than 2400 per wall outlet

other way to do it is buy one of those plug in energy meters that show whats being used.

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

Reply # 1409183 19-Oct-2015 13:05

Jase2985: you need to know the power draw for each component, which is generally listed on it. total them up and they should be less than 2400 per wall outlet

other way to do it is buy one of those plug in energy meters that show whats being used.

Cool I'll do that tonight

Jase2985

7677 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2527

Subscriber

Reply # 1409184 19-Oct-2015 13:08

it is my understanding that newer power points/house wiring might be able to handle more power

raytaylor

3209 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 616

Trusted

Reply # 1409487 19-Oct-2015 20:51

Not necessarily - wiring standards vary wildly in older houses.
One aspect to think of is that earlier power consuming devices were power hungry - toasters, irons, vaccuum cleaners, heaters.

So the maximum size consumer heater you can purchase is 2400 watts - I would argue any power outlet, double plug, 4-way plug should be able to handle that amount of electricity flowing through it so as said above, just add up the wattage and if it doesnt go over 2400 watts you should be fine.
If you get close I would be more concerned about what you are doing - thats over 50c an hour of power consumption.

Ray Taylor
Taylor Broadband (rural hawkes bay)
www.ruralkiwi.com

There is no place like localhost
For my general guide to extending your wireless network Click Here

richms

21235 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4271

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1409490 19-Oct-2015 20:56

One person supports this post

Buy a real powerstrip and not a piece of $3 crap before you worry about the draw from all those small appliances. I did see a $4 pink one at the warehouse today. Dont understand how they are still allowed to sell those firestarter cheap powerstrips.

Richard rich.ms

gzt

9931 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1494

Reply # 1409511 19-Oct-2015 23:00

Any suggestions for good ones at reasonable price and where to purchase?

Huchiz

214 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

Reply # 1409535 19-Oct-2015 23:37

2 people support this post

Don't worry.

"TV, PS4, router, modem, home theater, computer, another monitor, controllers and phone charging" together are no where close to the limit of a typical wall socket. Very very far from it.

Unless you have some extreme erotic HIFI setup.

Huchiz

214 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

Reply # 1409536 19-Oct-2015 23:48

richms: Buy a real powerstrip and not a piece of $3 crap before you worry about the draw from all those small appliances. I did see a $4 pink one at the warehouse today. Dont understand how they are still allowed to sell those firestarter cheap powerstrips.

+1

Decent quality 4 ports HPM powerstrip is only 4 dollars something at bunnings/mitre10. I can't understand the crappy warehouse brand either.

Huchiz

214 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

Reply # 1409537 19-Oct-2015 23:52

gzt: Any suggestions for good ones at reasonable price and where to purchase?

A basic HPM 4 or 6 ports powerstrip is very very cheap while still maintains a decent level of build quality.

elpenguino

602 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 220

Reply # 1409538 19-Oct-2015 23:56

Be aware that the surge protectors commonly found in cheap multi boxes are tiny and cant dissipate much energy. They're unlikely to protect anything in a larger surge.

Unfortunately real ones are $500 :-(

Ericom PLFA2-RJ11

Jax

88 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

Reply # 1409550 20-Oct-2015 03:39

Sounds like this could be good for you
http://www.cdlnz.com/index.html?do=viewproduct&p=POW500&code=PT9778

Set the TV on the master socket and when you turn it off, it can automatically turn ooff anything in the salve sockets (so for you maybe PS2/3, HT)

richms

21235 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4271

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 1409567 20-Oct-2015 07:54

I've been getting the hpm 8 ways from mitre 10.

If a socket becomes loose on any of them, smash the thing and throw it out. Otherwise some Muppet will still try to use it.

Richard rich.ms

leo0787sx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 25

Reply # 1409607 20-Oct-2015 09:11

Thanks guys. I have one of these but so far just use it for charging phones and game controllers. Are they good?

https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/accessories-other/powerboards/protection-products/allocacoc-pwcgyusb15m-powercube-4-way-extended-usb-1-5m-surge-protector/prod135313.html

Titan21

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 1411553 23-Oct-2015 10:24

Doesn't say anything about the rated power, so if you go and buy it check the label to make sure it handles the 10Amps / 2400Watts.
But if you want to plug in that many devices why not go with an 8 / 10-plug one?
You can always charge your phone on a dedicated charger / your PC