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Power Strip

194 31 May 10, 2021 at 08:21 PM
Am an electronics dufas and just learned I have too many things (6) plugged into an older power strip. I think it important to have surge protection but I plan to buy two and split it up. Any recommendations or are they all pretty similar? Thanks
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jfgary
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jkee
05-10-2021 at 10:17 PM.
05-10-2021 at 10:17 PM.
Joule rating and clamping voltage are the specs that matter for surge protectors. It is a good idea to proactively replace surge protectors every 5-10 years. You can use the old ones for things that you don't value as much.

Too many things plugged in is a relative thing. What matters is how much power they draw. Plug a microwave and rice cooker into a power strip and run them a the same time you'll have a problem. Plug in 6 modern laptops and you'll be fine. You just need some idea home much power the devices you're using need. Power strips typically have a 15A circuit breaker / fuse to protect against overloading, but you still need to be mindful of what's on that circuit in your house so you don't overload it. There isn't some rule to only use half the outlets in a power strip.
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Last edited by jkee May 11, 2021 at 09:09 AM.
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komondor
05-11-2021 at 07:19 AM.
05-11-2021 at 07:19 AM.
very different in the ability to manage surges, do you need protection or just more outlets.

This might help
https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/g3062/best-power-strips/?utm_source=google&utm_m... [popularmechanics.com]

I have purchased several UPS in the 100 buck range like this to use

https://www.staples.com/american-...gKcyPD_BwE

this one
CyberPower 1350VA/810Watts Simulated Sine Wave UPS Battery Backup with Surge Protection Model CST135XLU is 99 bucks at costco
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Last edited by komondor May 11, 2021 at 07:21 AM.
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DC
05-12-2021 at 09:21 AM.
05-12-2021 at 09:21 AM.
Quote from jfgary :
Am an electronics dufas and just learned I have too many things (6) plugged into an older power strip. I think it important to have surge protection but I plan to buy two and split it up. Any recommendations or are they all pretty similar? Thanks
Serious question, how did you learn this?
What happened?

We might be able to better answer your question knowing those answers.
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handyguy
05-12-2021 at 06:30 PM.
05-12-2021 at 06:30 PM.
Get one with USB ports
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jfgary
05-13-2021 at 08:43 PM.
05-13-2021 at 08:43 PM.
Quote from handyguy :
Get one with USB ports
Thanks to all who replied. Very helpful.
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jkee
05-13-2021 at 10:41 PM.
05-13-2021 at 10:41 PM.
Quote from DC :
Serious question, how did you learn this?
What happened?

We might be able to better answer your question knowing those answers.
Agreed, if the OP supplied a bit more context we'd be able to offer some less generic advice.
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jfgary
05-17-2021 at 11:07 AM.
05-17-2021 at 11:07 AM.
Quote from jkee :
Agreed, if the OP supplied a bit more context we'd be able to offer some less generic advice.
The TV would not power on. When removed from the power strip and directly plugged in it worked. When a lamp was plugged into the cell the tv was in it worked as did the other things continued to that were plugged into the strip .
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zzyzzx
05-18-2021 at 07:32 AM.
05-18-2021 at 07:32 AM.
I like mine to be in metal casings and to have switches on them.
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jkee
05-18-2021 at 09:10 PM.
05-18-2021 at 09:10 PM.
Quote from jfgary :
The TV would not power on. When removed from the power strip and directly plugged in it worked. When a lamp was plugged into the cell the tv was in it worked as did the other things continued to that were plugged into the strip .
That doesn't sound like "too many things plugged in" which could result in tripping the circuit breaker inside the power strip. Could be an issue with a particular socket on the power strip maybe the TV just needed a hard reset (aka unplugging).

Regardless, it is a good idea to replace surge protectors every 5-10 years.
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jfgary
05-19-2021 at 08:56 PM.
05-19-2021 at 08:56 PM.
Quote from jkee :
That doesn't sound like "too many things plugged in" which could result in tripping the circuit breaker inside the power strip. Could be an issue with a particular socket on the power strip maybe the TV just needed a hard reset (aka unplugging).

Regardless, it is a good idea to replace surge protectors every 5-10 years.
Thanks.
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jfgary
05-19-2021 at 08:59 PM.
05-19-2021 at 08:59 PM.
Quote from jkee :
That doesn't sound like "too many things plugged in" which could result in tripping the circuit breaker inside the power strip. Could be an issue with a particular socket on the power strip maybe the TV just needed a hard reset (aka unplugging).

Regardless, it is a good idea to replace surge protectors every 5-10 years.
Your comment about the TV needing a reset is something I did not think about. Good to know for the future.
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BerMM2
05-19-2021 at 09:39 PM.
05-19-2021 at 09:39 PM.
Quote from jkee :
That doesn't sound like "too many things plugged in" which could result in tripping the circuit breaker inside the power strip. Could be an issue with a particular socket on the power strip maybe the TV just needed a hard reset (aka unplugging).

Regardless, it is a good idea to replace surge protectors every 5-10 years.
I'm not disagreeing but before we diagnose this as a worn socket, we should know which country it is because advice for US sockets doesn't necessarily apply to cells in other countries.
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jkee
05-19-2021 at 09:58 PM.
05-19-2021 at 09:58 PM.
Quote from BerMM2 :
I'm not disagreeing but before we diagnose this as a worn socket, we should know which country it is because advice for US sockets doesn't necessarily apply to cells in other countries.
I think power cycling the tv is more likely to have been the fix.
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