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Subject: converting single to triple socket
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davek wrote:
Are you guessing at the load, or actually measuring it?
Erm... I worked it out by adding up the rating for each device
according to the size of the fuse fitted, which is how I was told to do
it, once upon a time. I haven't actually measured anything. I suppose
that counts as guessing?

Rather drastically over-estimating.

You have to consider the fuse when sizing flex or cable, but as fuses
for plugs only come in 3A and 13A (5A for FCUs) it's a rather crude
measurement, especially as some appliances will consume only a few
hundred watts but need a 13A fuse because of high in-rush current.

LCD monitors are not usually considered to be current hungry. My 42"
plasma screen only uses 220w. I could run around 12 to 15 of these from
a single 13A outlet.
OK, that's good news - the reason I assumed it was current-hungry is
because the plug on the power lead came fitted with a 13A fuse.

The fuse on the power lead really only has to protect the lead, and all
modern power leads should be good for 16A as that's what they use with
unfused plugs on the conninent.

Owain