On 17/03/2017 14:44, NY wrote:
I have a room that I use as a study. It has only one single mains socket
(the other is on the opposite side of the room and would require a long
trailing cable to reach the desk area).

I currently have a PC and LCD monitor, and wall-warts for various
low-power devices (router, phone, security camera, headphones etc)
plugged into a series of multi-way socket blocks (there is a 6-way with
two 4-ways plugged into it).

Obviously the overriding factor is that the total current does not
exceed 13 A, and when I measured it, it was about 3A.

But is there any safety issue with lots of plugs, via multi-way socket
blocks, all going back to a single wall socket? Is there any advantage

In terms of total load its fine.

There is a more general danger with cascaded extension leads that the
earth loop impedance can rise too much, and then in the event of a fault
(say crushing a flex under a chair leg), the fault may not be cleared
fast enough to prevent something getting too hot and catching fire.
Having said that, with short leads that's unlikely.

in having the single socket changed for a dual one and plugging half the
appliances (via socket blocks) into one socket and half into the other?
Is a single socket block with 12 sockets in any way safer than a 6-way
with two 4-ways plugged into it?

It would be neater (and possibly less of a trip hazard). It would also
arguably be safer - but its hard to quantify how much. Its probably only
worth doing for neatness.


--
Cheers,

John.

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