Domestic 13amp sockets

[Margaret Rothwell]

I need to know whether I am creating a hazard by plugging in too many
appliances into one socket- please advise.:-
500 watt convector heater,
14"TV,
Freeview tv box,
tv signal booster,
tv headphones,
adjustable bed,
2 small lamps @25watts each
I am a pensioner living in a council flat - I would like to be able to watch
Tv in my adjustable bed in a warm room- can I - without worrying about
overloading the socket?

 

[Gareth Magennis]

Hi Margaret,

A single 13 Amp socket can safely supply about 3000 watts. With the heater
and lamps taking 550 watts, that gives you 2450 more to play with. The
freeview box and headphones will take practically nothing, the television
will be less than 100 watts or something thereabouts. That just leaves the
adjustable bed. This is not going to use anything like 2000 watts, but you
could double check its real consumption by finding the printed label that
should be somewhere around where the mains cable goes in. (marked for
instance 75W).

You don't have anything to worry about.


Gareth.

 

[Margaret Rothwell]

Thank you - peace of mind is invaluable - you have made an old lady happy

 

[loedown]

It's good to see that the elderly generation is getting into the internet /
email.

Paul

 

[Gareth Magennis]

Margaret,

one thing to watch out for in the future though. If you are using extension
leads or 4-way mains blocks, you need of be aware of their maximum capacity.
Many (the cheap ones) will only be rated at 5 amps, which will only allow
you to use 1200 watts. So if you get a 2000 watt heater you will not be
able to use it with these extensions. The cable is not fat enough and it
could overheat and be a fire hazard.


Gareth.

 

[hotkey]

reasonably speaking, you should be safe