Electrical Genius Wanted!

[Silent Bob]

I asked this question a while ago and got an answer only i forgot what it was, and i could do with sorting this out today.

I have a surge protected 4 gang with a 1.5 metre lead attached, which i use for my PC, now i really need to plug the extension in a different socket but the next available socket is quite a distance away. Could i swap the 1.5 metre lead for the much longer lead from a reel type extension (2 socket)?

I've looked at both leads wiring, each have the same wires only the "Surge" one is slightly thicker, both plugs run off the same power 250V 13Amps.

Cheers for any help. ;)

(IS this the right forum for this....who knows?)

[MikeK]

Originally posted by Silent Bob
I asked this question a while ago and got an answer only i forgot what it was, and i could do with sorting this out today.

I have a surge protected 4 gang with a 1.5 metre lead attached, which i use for my PC, now i really need to plug the extension in a different socket but the next available socket is quite a distance away. Could i swap the 1.5 metre lead for the much longer lead from a reel type extension (2 socket)?

I've looked at both leads wiring, each have the same wires only the "Surge" one is slightly thicker, both plugs run off the same power 250V 13Amps.

Cheers for any help. ;)

(IS this the right forum for this....who knows?)

Yes, just swap them.
You don't actually "need" a surge protected extension for a PC.

The only thing to remember about reel type extension leads, is that they should be unwound fully before use (although if just powering a PC, which will probbly pull less than 2A anyway, even that's probably unnecessary).
Some reel extensions give two ratings on them - 5A when wound, and 13A unwound for instance.

[Silent Bob]

Cheers m8.

The reel one is already unwound and removed from the big sockety thing :p at the end, top stuff i can now finally get on with re-hanging the door between the kitchen/living room...long story, but the PC extension as been preventing this for a few months.

[bobwindy]

Only thing to note is to make sure that the reel type extension has an earth wire in (all new ones do....you'd be suprised how many of the old ones dont) as this is essential for a PC

[APPRIA40WR]

MikeK: You don't actually "need" a surge protected extension for a PC.

:D Well we don't need our PCs either but we used to get quite a few surges and spikes here so I was more than happy to spend £20 to protect everything (including the phone line that went into it).

I realise the stuff's insured (and the electricity compamy has some liabilty) but I don't fancy the bother of claiming.

[Silent Bob]

Everything up and running fine. :)

Earth wire was present at the change over bob. ;)

[MikeK]

Originally posted by APPRIA40WR
MikeK: You don't actually "need" a surge protected extension for a PC.

:D Well we don't need our PCs either but we used to get quite a few surges and spikes here so I was more than happy to spend £20 to protect everything (including the phone line that went into it).

I realise the stuff's insured (and the electricity compamy has some liabilty) but I don't fancy the bother of claiming.


The problem is, that £20 soon turns into £100 when , by the same logic, you put a surge protector on your TVs, VCRs, STBs, DVDs, stereo systems, washing machines, dishwashers and so on - where do you stop? (out of all those incidentally, a PC is proabably the easiest one to repair in the unlikely event of permanent damage from a supply surge).

There's no harm in using a surge protector if anyone wants to - all I was saying is that you don't need to if you don't want!

[APPRIA40WR]

Funny you said say that Mike :D

I use 3-4 protectors (although not on white goods -yet) :D

[AndyWilson]

Originally posted by APPRIA40WR
Funny you said say that Mike :D

I use 3-4 protectors (although not on white goods -yet) :D

http://www.numbertwo.freeserve.co.uk/Condoms.gif

(couldn't find any "APPRopriate brands quick ;) )

[APPRIA40WR]

Are those balloons? :confused:

:D

EDIT: I had to re-edit this cos I forgot how to spell 'balloon' http://members.tripod.co.uk/uploadimages/goby.gif