Maxima Electrical Engineering

Overloaded power strip

I know we have all done it from time to time and it will probably happen again. That's right, I'm talking about overloading a circuit or drop cord with too many devices. Instead of us running another circuit or extension cord to a different circuit to split the electrical load, we just keep adding devices until the circuit breaker trips.Electrical circuit overloads happen when more amperage is put across an electrical wire or circuit than it can handle.

For instance, a #14 wire can safely carry 15 amps and should be protected by a 15-amp breaker. If it happens to get connected to a 20-amp breaker instead, the breaker will allow 20 amps of current to flow through a wire that can only handle 15 amps. The wire and breaker start to heat up and could cause start an electrical fire.

Ampacity can be calculated by dividing the amount of wattage by the voltage. Let's say you have a 1,000-watt hair dryer that runs on 120 volts. Divide that out and you'll get 10 amps of current draw. On a 20-amp circuit, that's half of the circuit used already.

Now, think about having a meal at your house. You plug in a couple of crock pots that each draw 1,000 watts of power and you can see how the circuit is at maximum capacity. The problem is, that likely there are other things plugged in also and undoubtedly the circuit will trip. In this case, the only way to solve the problem is to plug one of the devices into another outlet on a different circuit.

As a rule of thumb, remember that anything with a motor needs its own circuit. That way, you'll always have enough circuit for the device being plugging into it. Likewise, things like portable heaters need to each have their own individual circuits. This is extremely dangerous if more than one portable heater is connected to the same circuit.

Cable selection is guided by two main principles. First, the cable should be able to carry the current load imposed on it without overheating. It should be able to do this in the most extreme conditions of temperature it will encounter during its working life. Second, it should offer sufficiently sound earthing to (1) limit the voltage to which people are exposed to a safe level and (2) allow the fault current to trip the fuse or MCB in a short time.
To meet these requirements requires consideration of the circuit load current, the ambient temperature, installation technique, cable thickness and length, and the over-current protection device. In some cases you may need to consider factors that are outside your control, like the external earth loop impedance. Typical 'worst-case' values for these factors are given in the article. For your Electrical problems call on us 0266962980/0209098715 we well always be at your service ME engineers always the best

An uninterruptible power supply, also uninterruptible power source, UPS or battery/flywheel backup, is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source or mains power fails. Call us if u need one on 0266962980/0209098715