Max Power from a single socket.....

[Carlvtr88]

....with a multi-plug extension.


Just wondering, at what point do you need to start worrying about blowing a fuse or tripping a breaker in the UK.

When I do gigs, I've often worried about this, as many function rooms give you one socket to use and expect you to draw power ( using extensions) for 2 or more large speakers, a big sub, 5 + lights. 2cdj's, a mixer and what other gear you have, i.e laptop etc.

Also taking into consideration whatever the venue are using themselves. Like dish washers and stuff.

Would it take a shitload more than that to cause problems ?

[ericvtr]

all sockets are rated to 13amps, anything over and theres a chance of melting/setting fire to the socket outlet.

if you want to find out how much current all your equipment pulls, you can work it out easily

Watts = Volts x Amps

id imagine most of your equipment has a wattage written on it somewhere so all you need to do is

Watts/230(volts) = amps

[Carlvtr88]

I think - based on the fact ive done gigs and been OK so far, I'll be ok.

Most of my lights are low power LED's so shouldnt be much of a problem, however I will check and do the math to see how much power i'm drawing, because I imagine my speakers, sub and audio gear is the most demanding.
Am i right in saying if i DID overload the socket, the first thing to go would be the extensions fuse that is plugged into the wall ?

[ericvtr]

yup it should do

lighting is extremely low current, however i havnt a clue what sort of current the rest of your stuff might pull.

[Brettles1986]

My father is both and electrician and a mobile DJ and he uses a shed load of stuff, 2 speakers, a mixer, laptop, 2 led lights, 3 lasers and a fog machine (sometimes a star cloth aswell) and he has never had any issues.

[Bedford126]

My mate set his garage on fire using in-fared lights and a duel action sander plugged into the extension.

just make sure you have the cable fully out and not still coiled up on the reel.

[Carlvtr88]

Nice one peeps. Ill bear that in mind.

I do tend to prefer LED lighting for the fact the bulbs last years. So i think i'll probably be ok.

Worth checking though.

I got to a gig once and the place was a bit old and the socket was slightly crumbly, i was like " what the...f " Luckily it was OK.

[MJ05LLY]

Each appliance can have a max of 13amp
The breaker of the sockets can be more, depends on how they were wired (ring, radial) and size of cores. Could be low or even as high as 32amps etc

[m4tt274]

you will blow the fuse in the plug. No big deal.
I blew a few the other day, never had a single issue then 3 fuses in an hour!

That was just running two Wharfdale pro's and a single 2x750 Amp. Im not really sure what i was doing differently!

[Sam]

If the place is wired correctly the kitchen will more than likely be on a separate ring. As said before the fuse will pop before you trip the mcb unless you have an earth fault, then it will trip the rcd.

You can have up to 2990watts on a 13amp socket, using the formula:

Volts x Amps = watts
230 x 13 = 2990WATTS.

[Carlvtr88]

If the place is wired correctly the kitchen will more than likely be on a separate ring. As said before the fuse will pop before you trip the mcb unless you have an earth fault, then it will trip the rcd.

You can have up to 2990watts on a 13amp socket, using the formula:

Volts x Amps = watts
230 x 13 = 2990WATTS.

Thanks man, pretty damn sure i'm not no where near that so i rekon it will be OK.