How Many Plugs Per Outlet?

[Keebler Elf]

So in my computer room I've got a power bar with 12 plugs and it's full so I need to get another bar. I'm going to plug the other bar into another outlet but it got me thinking...

Does it matter if it's on another outlet when they're both within about 6 feet of each other and so probably on the same circuit.

1) How many plugs should you have per outlet?

2) Does it make a difference if you split the number of plugs between two outlets in the same room rather than having most of the plugs on one or the other?

 

[Ceiling Cat]

Its not how many plugs you put on a circuit that matters, it is not safe to draw more than 15 amps total from one circuit. Electronics do not draw huge amounts of elctricity, things with motors and elements for heating draw the most.

1) You can have many plugs on a circuit, as long as you do not exceed 15 amps.

2) If there is only one circuit in the room, it does not matter if you use 2 outlets. If you do split them into two outlets it will decrease the clutter.

 

[rhuarc29]

Does it matter if it's on another outlet when they're both within about 6 feet of each other and so probably on the same circuit.

1) How many plugs should you have per outlet?

2) Does it make a difference if you split the number of plugs between two outlets in the same room rather than having most of the plugs on one or the other?

CC already answered the main question. Unless an electrical madman wired your house or your room has a large number of plug outlets, all the outlets should be wired to the same circuit, which means it probably doesn't matter if you spread the load among outlets in the same room. If you plug everything into a single outlet and the load is too much, the breaker should trip before you experience any other problem.

 

[Tangwhich]

Code is a max of 12 devices (plugs in this case) per circuit. In theory that's 24 things running at once. Whatever circuit you're using you almost certainly have other plugs using the same circuit. If you computer demands more than 12 plugs you really should have at least one circuit dedicated to it.

 

[rhuarc29]

Code is a max of 12 devices (plugs in this case) per circuit. In theory that's 24 things running at once. Whatever circuit you're using you almost certainly have other plugs using the same circuit. If you computer demands more than 12 plugs you really should have at least one circuit dedicated to it.

That would be some computer to require more than 24 ports.

 

[Cassini]

It is surprisingly easy to gobble outlets. Firstly, some of the walwart power adapters use 2 or 3 outlet positions per adapter. Secondly, if you have multiple components and a variety of them, then walwart clutter can increase dramatically.

For example, a musician's PC / music mixing center might include:
3 Plugs - Monitor, Keyboard, Printer
1 Plug - Scanner
1 Plug - Wireless Router
1 Plug - Internet ADSL Modem (assume Wireless Router and Modem are two different devices)
2 Plugs - Musical Keyboard(s)
1 Plug - Mixer
2 Plugs - Effect Devices
1 Plug - Amp
1 Plug - Receiver (to listen to radio)
1 Plug - Cell Phone
1 Plug - iPod Touch / MP3 Player

Total: 15 Plugs, mostly walwarts. This requires about 30-45 single outlet receptacles. It all adds up. It is common for even a moderately sophisticated PC user with wireless modem, cell phones, and MP3 player to fill a 12 outlet power station.

 

[Gentle Ben]

It is surprisingly easy to gobble outlets.......

my main setup
modem
router
cpu
monitor
scanner
2 printers plus 2 specialized printers (4 in total)
powered usb hub
speakers
poweed external hard drive
then add
cordless telephone
charger for laptop
desk lamp
charger for camera batteries
cell phone charger
fax machine
telephone answering machine
c

Anyone remember the computer power cords for the 386/486 computers where they were stack able ? they were great , I have a bunch of them that I've acquired over the years from places like Value Village , seldom see them any more. They are great because you can keep stacking them on top of each other without using additional outlets . like this , but they were full length power cords http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=392778&CatId=945