Tanks, Extension Leads And Safety

[lilacamy931]

Hello All!
I am now getting my final and fifth tank and having a little trouble placing where sockets lie. I currently have 4 plug extensions and was thinking of getting a 8 plug extension rather than attaching an extension to an extension. Are the 8 plugs safe? Me and my partners only concern is it will be in use 24/7 to operate to tanks with at least 6 plug sockets used. Sorry if silly question but not very technical or electrical minded...
Thanks for any help

 

[mixmaster jay]

yeah it should be fine just make a drip loop so if any water deos go down the cables it will drip off the bottom of the loop (which is lower than the plug board extension) and it would be a good idea to get a plug in rcd (residual current detecter) this will kill the power intsantly (to the plug board extention) if there is a short of any kind on any of the hardware on the tanks or spend some money and get a plug board with built in rcd and surge protectors but they do cost quite alot lol

 

[Richard22b]

as long as your useing a good quality high rating lead you shouldnt have any issues

 

[meguro]

If you're already using a lot of powerboards why not look at getting some advice/quote from an electrician at adding more powerpoints to some of your walls? If this is what your question is about.

As long as your not daisy chaining powerboards and drawing a lot of current from them with energy heavy appliances, you should be fine to use 4 or 8 socket boards.

Make sure your circuit breakers/fuses are up to scratch lol

 

[Geoff1991]

Its not how many plugs youre using, its how much current theyre drawing. Youd know if it was overloaded anyway.

 

[mixmaster jay]

and how much amps too

 

[Geoff1991]

Yeah, if youre worried get an electrician to install more outlets on new or different branch circuits.

Edit: If you know your house wiring, you could work out if your overloading or not, as usually house circuits are designed as 15-amp/20-amp branch circuits and each 15-amp branch circuit should carry no more than about 1500 watts. And each 20-amp branch circuit should carry no more than about 2000 watts. So you could figure out whats on what circuit and add all the wattages up if you really wanted to...

 

[mixmaster jay]

depending on how many you have allready got in the room (4 doubles is normally the limit per room) you will have to get the consumer unit either upgraded or there might be a couple of spare places in there to to such add ons best bet get an electrician in if thats the route you want to go down otherwise it should be fine

 

[lilacamy931]

This is the only thing, we rent so there would be no option for me to make additions to the flat. In terms of amps etc, no idea! We have...6 sockets as it is a double spaced room. Two used for one tank and computer. Two used for one tank and TV and two used for two tanks each with light, filter and heating. As this is sounding dangerous I may bite bullet and just have it in another room (this would be a shame as our double space is where we generally revolve around but in terms of safety and overloading sockets...Only other thing can think of is there is a spare socket in the ktichen that can lead aorund door to following wall but would be scare being a kitchen this are just for small amp kitchen appliances.

p.s. thanks for all the replies guys appreciate, prob get partner to read when get home and see what he thinks and he is more electrical/techinical minded than me.

In total the tanks in our double spaced/open room is 11 plugs in total for lights, heaters and filters, 3 more coming into play with new tank. Computer takes up probably two and the tv with xbox and dvd takes up 3-4 plug wise. (We have about 4 extensions, only one per socket I think!) Sorry to be so technologically bad!

 

[jmkgreen]

Eight plugs in total for your tanks in a single room? If so, not a problem. Unless you're running marine, in which case I imagine you'd use many more amps. Just remember if you're plugging into a double wall-socket (or quad for that matter), the 13A rating is shared between the plugs. Two sockets in the same plastic does not mean 26A total capacity. Chaining the extensions should be fine too just ensure the plugs are 13A rated (they should be on all bar the cheapest). I am not an electrician but have looked at this matter in the past!

 

[Geoff1991]

I dont suppose you have a wiring diagram do you? lol: Just by chance...) I could tell you your best option then

 

[lilacamy931]

I dont suppose you have a wiring diagram do you? lol: Just by chance...) I could tell you your best option then

Wiring diagram? Looking at example on Google probably not! LOL I could draw a plan layout with sockets in place and what is attached to each this evening if that is of help? To get general view of room (sorry to make way more complicated than should! lol). I can also check the plug situation with TV and computer end and maybe something inspirational will happen

Really appreciate all this help!


p.s. will check for a wiring diagram as we have a manual for the flat and you never know!

 

[Geoff1991]

Nah, wouldnt really help. Youd need to draw in all the circuits and all sorts so i could see what the situation is... Be better to get an electrician in i think. (im not qualified *yet*)

Edit: If youve got one (which i doubt) PM me, as ill be at work in a bit so ill be able to have a look when i get the email, but i cant keep checking the thread.

 

[lilacamy931]

LOL thanks for all your advice anyways Geoff! Wow! Not qualified yet? Cannot imagine how complex it must be to be an electrician especially with older wiring etc

 

[Geoff1991]

Not yet, got about another year of hard work yet.