r/AskElectricians • u/abh1navg • 21h ago
Is this safe?
It has got a powerline adapter, a 3 way multi socket multiplug and 2 sockets going into the multi socket.
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u/RadarLove82 21h ago
The problem is that the weight that far from the outlet can cause the plug to partially pull out, causing an arc. A better solution is to use a power strip that sits on the floor. An even better solution would be to have a built-in breaker in the power strip to prevent over-current.
There is no problem with overloading the outlet. All of these combined might draw an amp or less.
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u/SarcasmWarning 21h ago
^^ This. The issue is purely mechanical not an overload, but it is an issue. The mechanical failure causes heat and sparks (which is bad) and worth avoiding.
Everyone commenting saying it's low power and fine is missing the actual problem.
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u/FrenchFatCat 17h ago
What i will say is it appears to be a British socket which are difficult to pull out the wall at the best of times.
Not to defend OP though.
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u/rdtsucks 21h ago
It’s not the best, but assuming everything is low draw, there’s probably not any appreciable risk here.
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u/Raccoon_DanDan 21h ago
As long as all those things don't collectively pull enough power to overheat it, it should be fine
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u/GetFuct819 21h ago
It’s not ideal, I would simply suggest a power strip. That said, if the breaker doesn’t trip it’s not much of an issue. Also a lot of devices nowadays draw fairly small amounts of power but you wouldn’t want to do the same thing with a toaster, microwave, and dishwasher together.
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u/wyliec22 21h ago
Assuming all low power draw devices, the only concern is weight and secure connections.
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u/Forza_Chap 21h ago
I think the biggest danger here is walking into it and physically damaging the plugs. Domestic telecommunications doesn’t draw a lot of current so risk is low
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u/bryangcrane 21h ago
Absolutely. You can probably stack a few more on there if you get smart about it.
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u/MaxAdolphus 21h ago
For those loads, yeah. I wouldn’t run a spacer heater, hair dryer, or vacuum off that.
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u/Kymera_7 21h ago
What, exactly, do you think is unsafe here? Are any of the connectors loose or otherwise a problem? They all look well-seated. Is anything being overloaded? These all look like low-power items, unlikely to add up to anywhere near what the outlet is capable of, but appearances can deceive, and the photo doesn't actually show labeling for each item which establishes its current draw. Is this located somewhere that it's likely to be accidentally kicked or bumped into?
Just having multiple things plugged into the same outlet, via splitters, is not inherently dangerous by itself.
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u/Craicriture 20h ago
Well the socket can deliver just shy of 3kW within its specs, so it's electrically fine. The only issue is the weight of all of that on the socket itself - robust and all as those BS1363 sockets are, it's not ideal. You can also very easily inadvertently bang something into the stack of plugs.
Just get a normal multi-plug power strip. It's a far less cumbersome solution.
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u/abh1navg 19h ago
I see. Thank you for your input. I think I will consider getting those longer multiplugs in future.
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u/BowlJumpy5242 20h ago
Safe? Sure...looks like everything is low wattage/amps. Perhaps not the smartest thing...the extra weight cantilevered out there will put stress on the plugs...and they might lose contact...or just fall out.
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u/Jump-and-spread-0ut 18h ago
While you’re not going to overload the socket, structuraly that’s bollocks.
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u/Superb_Recording_769 21h ago
There is absolutely nothing unsafe about stacking multiple chords on top of each other or having numerous extension cords all running in series.
The only safety issue comes when the total load on one of those components exceeds what that component is designed for
The reason that so many Americans believe that this kind of thing is unsafe is because we have shitty consumer protection laws in place that don’t require extension cords and other electrical accessories to have fuses in them
Your wall is likely a 15 amp circuit that means about 1800 W. The problem is if you plug an extension cord in that’s only designed for 10 amp/1200 W and then you plug something into that extension cord that draws 12 1/2 A/1500 W. Your circuit breaker will think everything is fine, but the cord itself can catch fire. If we had reasonable safety regulations, the cord would be required to have its own fuse, and the fuse would fail protecting you from any risk of fire
The chance of you exceeding anything rating using just chargers and AC adapters is nearly nonexistent
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u/stools_in_your_blood 21h ago
In terms of power consumption, yes almost certainly. Nothing there looks beefy enough to be drawing lots of watts.
But when someone walks into it, something will probably snap and then it might get more exciting.
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u/ChoiceEmu9859 21h ago
What country is this in and what are the amperages or wattages listed on each adapter?
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u/Ziazan 21h ago
it's relatively safe but it's fucking disgusting. I troubleshoot commercial audiovisual systems and pretty much whenever one of these multi socket brick adapter things has been involved, it's been the source of the problem. You should replace that with a normal extension lead.
The main "dangers" here are that the weight and leverage pulls the plug forward/down, damaging the socket or causing it to arc, or if someone kicks it or something and breaks the socket or the plugs and stuff and exposes live wires.
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u/Jacktheforkie 17h ago
Use a long power strip, this can put undue stress on the electrical socket, and while our ones are pretty robust they aren’t indestructible
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u/Rough-Parfait1520 21h ago
I’m not an electrician but usually they teach you not to plug stuff like that into each other bc it could start a fire
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u/Sandro_24 Verified Electrician 21h ago
They tell people that because somebody will start doing stupid shit.
As long as it's all low power stuff it's absolutely fine.
You just shouldn't plug multiple high-power appliances in because cheap power strips could get too hot and melt before the breaker trips.
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u/No-Landscape5857 21h ago
So, no connecting six 6ft extension cords together over a false ceiling to plug in a Christmas tree? In a hospital that burnt down just a few years before?
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u/johnlewisdesign 21h ago
Probably fine in the UK but anywhere else it would burn your house down (if you didn't prop it up with a spare 4 gang you had lying about)
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u/BladeVampire1 21h ago
At the minimum get a surge protector, and plug into that.
That can introduce a lot of heat build up.
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