Wall Wart's, Power Strips & Cords (Oh My)!

[Omega-TI]

Time for a fun oddball poll!

 

There is one thing that goes together with classic computer hardware like milk & cookies, that's lot's and lot's of cords, plugs, transformers and power strips!

 

So this poll is a little different, it's to determine how many of each is 'AVERAGE' in the classic computer hobbyists game room/den/man cave.

 

 

POWER STRIPS

 

 

 

 

WALL WARTS / TRANSFORMERS

 

 

 

EXTENSION CORDS

 

 

 

MULTI-TAP

 

[jedimatt42]

I don't really have a 'den', just everything crammed onto one desk. 1 PC, 1 Mac-Mini, 1 TI/PEB, and 1 raspberry pi, 1 40" TV, and 1 20" Monitor.

It is almost all plugged into one big long powerstrip ( about 12 outlets ) that is mounted to the backside of the desk. The spacing is great for all the wall warts. I did the same for the home-entertainment shelf.

[wyerd]

What's the difference between a power strip and a multi tap, besides the layout? Being from the UK, multi tap isn't a term I'm familiar with.

[SIO2]

I just wanted to note since many people who will find this post will not be students of electrical power systems that these outlets and cords should be used with caution since they make it easier to overload a circuit.

 

I do use them but I only plug in what I am using and I unplug them when not in use.

[Omega-TI]

I just wanted to note since many people who will find this post will not be students of electrical power systems that these outlets and cords should be used with caution since they make it easier to overload a circuit.

 

I do use them but I only plug in what I am using and I unplug them when not in use.

 

Yeah, most wall warts now day's are between 5-18 volts and very low amperage, so I don't worry much about overloading anything. The biggest power hog I have in the den is the oldest... the TI's P-Box, then maybe the big screen TV.

 

One of these day's just for the sake of curiosity I may buy a KILL-A-WATT meter just to see what the draw is on all the equipment in standby mode.

 

[ovalbugmann]

The Kill-A-Watt units are cool - I have two of them - lots of good info on them, they last, as I have had mine 3-4 years now and they still work great.

[SIO2]

Yeah, most wall warts now day's are between 5-18 volts and very low amperage, so I don't worry much about overloading anything. The biggest power hog I have in the den is the oldest... the TI's P-Box, then maybe the big screen TV.

 

One of these day's just for the sake of curiosity I may buy a KILL-A-WATT meter...

True. A few flashbacks aren't much of a load but I know of an incident where my daughter's boyfriend felt he could use a power strip to plug in a plasma TV, an Xbox 360, a fridge, a microwave and an electric space heater plus maybe some other things too. He was renting a home with an old wiring system (fuses not breakers). Before the fuse blew he cooked the insulation pretty well.

 

There are a lot of people out there who think that if an outlet is available and the plug fits then it is all good. Not necessarily so.

 

I have one of the Kill-a-watt meters. They are nice.

Edited August 23, 2015 by SIO2

[Omega-TI]

 

 

Slightly off topic here... I like your Avatar with the Atari 7800 system matching the joystick.

That's pretty slick looking!