Have a 2 plug socket in bedroom. Want to plug in 4 plugs from hifi stack system and one from electric heater via a 10 plug extension lead.

[FountainSprings]

Hi. Am new to this forum and i have an urgent question. Have a 2 plug socket in the bedroom and want to plug into one side of it an upright extension lead holding 4 plugs from a hifi stack system and one from an electric heater, making 5 plugs in the lead. Is this safe to do? Can one socket and lead take the requirements of these appliances? Not to be impatient but i need an answer asap as the hifi is on the bed and i'm gonna have to pull a bookshelf away from the socket to get access before i need to go bed. Thanks.

 

[mainline]

Hi. Am new to this forum and i have an urgent question. Have a 2 plug socket in the bedroom and want to plug into one side of it an upright extension lead holding 4 plugs from a hifi stack system and one from an electric heater, making 5 plugs in the lead. Is this safe to do? Can one socket and lead take the requirements of these appliances? Not to be impatient but i need an answer asap as the hifi is on the bed and i'm gonna have to pull a bookshelf away from the socket to get access before i need to go bed. Thanks.

It should be fine.

 

[brianmoooore]

There's only one high power appliance there, and that's the heater. If the two sockets aren't required for anything else, it would probably be best to plug the heater directly into one, and the extension lead, with all the other stuff, into the other.
Some extension lead sockets are a bit 'iffy' for things that draw a high power for long periods.

 

[FountainSprings]

There's only one high power appliance there, and that's the heater. If the two sockets aren't required for anything else, it would probably be best to plug the heater directly into one, and the extension lead, with all the other stuff, into the other.
Some extension lead sockets are a bit 'iffy' for things that draw a high power for long periods.

Yes, thanks for responding. Had, this morning, took a chance and set up the hifi system, then plugged the 10 plug lead into the 2 plug socket connecting only 3 plugs into the lead. The 2nd socket I put in a 2 plug lead for the electric heater and a dehumidifier.
I have yet to learn what volts do and watts. Another point is: when the extension lead says: "total load must not exceed 13 amps maximum" , I don't get that cos each plug must be a 13amp and the lead holds up to 10 plugs. Probably ought to have put all this to the forum rather than loading this onto you.

 

[brianmoooore]

Watts is the important one. They are what heats up the cable and plug. The heater will be about 2000 Watts and the dehumidifier possibly around another 500. The maximum load for a good quality 13A plug and socket is just under 3000 Watts, but not all sockets, especially those on extension leads, and plugs are of good quality.
The stuff on the other lead isn't likely to add up to 100 Watts in total.

 

[mydigitalhome]

Hi. Am new to this forum and i have an urgent question. Have a 2 plug socket in the bedroom and want to plug into one side of it an upright extension lead holding 4 plugs from a hifi stack system and one from an electric heater, making 5 plugs in the lead. Is this safe to do? Can one socket and lead take the requirements of these appliances? Not to be impatient but i need an answer asap as the hifi is on the bed and i'm gonna have to pull a bookshelf away from the socket to get access before i need to go bed. Thanks.

Hello, Please never use a heater from an extension lead as generally they are not rated for this and are a big fire risk, extremely dangerous. So plug heater directly into wall socket only. A socket is designed for 13A maximum load. Hifi equipment generally is low load so it should be ok. Without seeing it impossible to say. Look at the equipment and write down their loads and do a calculation. If you are still in doubt ask a local electrician to have a look. They should not charge you much to do that.

 

[Peter8518]

Yes, thanks for responding. Had, this morning, took a chance and set up the hifi system, then plugged the 10 plug lead into the 2 plug socket connecting only 3 plugs into the lead. The 2nd socket I put in a 2 plug lead for the electric heater and a dehumidifier.
I have yet to learn what volts do and watts. Another point is: when the extension lead says: "total load must not exceed 13 amps maximum" , I don't get that cos each plug must be a 13amp and the lead holds up to 10 plugs. Probably ought to have put all this to the forum rather than loading this onto you.

Hello 'FountainSprings'
I not quite following your drift regarding the 13amp plugs and the allowable total load. If your logic is saying '15amp per plug' therefore a 10 socket extension will allow 10x15 (a load 150 amp for the total extension lead) If I read you correctly then I'm afraid you're wrong.

Each appliance connected to the extansion will have a fuse designed to protect the appliance (5amp, 13amp etc) and the extension lead will have its own protective fuse (in your case 13amp)

If you load the extension lead with more than its designed rating load then it's likely that your consumer unit will trip (hopefully), thereby protecting the circuits).

Others have mentioned the unsuitabilty of extensions leads for 'high load' items (room heaters) etc and things can get even messyier if also connection through some 'timers' on the market.

I hope this helps and your happy with you end configuration.
Pierre