Protect Your Circuits: Watt Your Outlets Can Safely Power
Each room in a home offers a limited number of outlets, but in an age where all of our tools and gadgets need to be plugged in, many feel the need to get creative to power up countless devices. With only two receptacles to plug into per wall outlet, you may try to hack the system with a surge protector or power strip.
This workaround may be tempting but heed the warning that an overloaded outlet places your home at greater risk for a fire. For the safety of you and your home, it’s crucial that you understand maximum wattage capacities for your outlets.
How many appliances can you plug into one outlet? Our team has the answers you seek! Keep reading to learn more.
Watt Can a Single Outlet Handle?
The wattage limit of a single outlet depends on the circuit’s capacity and how many individual outlets are powered by that particular circuit. It’s usually safe to assume your home has 15-amp circuits unless you are certain of a different value.
In older homes, it’s likely the electrical system was not designed to handle the power-hungry demands of modern devices. Newer homes, however, are frequently built with 20-amp circuits, allowing homeowners to plug in more without the risk of overloading the outlet.
Uncertain of your home’s circuit capacities? Call our pro electricians at Axiom Power for an electrical inspection — (813) 484-5481!
While the electrical systems in older homes are not designed to handle today’s power-hungry devices, newer homes are often built with higher capacity 20-amp circuits for homeowners to plug into.
How Many Devices Can You Plug-In?
As a general rule of precaution, don’t exceed a maximum load of 1,500 watts per circuit. To understand the specific number of devices you can fuel with one outlet, you need to know the wattage on each piece of technology you intend to power up. Typically, the plug label or manufacturer’s instructions should have this information, allowing you to calculate the total combined wattage.
Larger appliances such as washing machines, HVAC units, and ovens typically individually exceed 1000 watts and should therefore have their own dedicated circuit.
Ohm’s Law
If your circuits have a higher amperage- particularly if you have a newer home or electrical system, you can use Ohm’s Law to calculate their capacity. In order to calculate with this principle, you will need to know the amperage and voltage of the circuit to decipher how much it can handle.
The wattage capacity can be determined by multiplying the amperage by the voltage. For example, a 20 amp circuit running on 120 volts of electricity will power 2,400 watts (20 amps x 120 volts).
Are you unsure of how many devices your electrical system can safely power? Axiom Power is here to provide the solutions to all of your powering problems! Schedule an appointment with our team today!
Stay Safe > Prevent Electrical Fires in Your Home
Dangers of an Overloaded Outlet
Overloaded outlets are a leading cause of house fires, which is not surprising based on how many power-hungry devices we have plugged in! When more appliances are plugged in than a circuit can handle, the outlet can overheat and damage the wiring. This hot and damaged wiring significantly increases the risk of an electrical fire.
Call an electrician for a professional inspection if you notice any of the following issues:
Circuit breaker keeps tripping
Fuses frequently blow
Lights flicker while using several appliances
Overloaded outlets are a leading cause of house fires, so it’s vital to take the proper steps to avoid putting your home and family at risk.
Learn More > Safety Tips to Protect Your House
Power Strip Hacking Tip
A power strip can be a sneaky way to hack your outlets, but it’s important to still take the proper safety measures in order to prevent damage to your electrical system or even house fires. The number of devices you can plug into a power strip depends on the strip’s amperage. You can once again use Ohm’s Law to calculate the maximum wattage.
Normally, low-wattage tools such as phone chargers can be safely plugged in without overloading the outlet, but it is still best practice to add up the wattage of each device. Heavy-loading appliances, such as refrigerators or dishwashers, should never be plugged into a power strip.
Two surge protector power strips can be plugged into the same outlet, but you still must avoid exceeding the maximum wattage for the circuit. No matter the case, be sure to always add up the wattages of each device to guarantee safe operation.
Power Up Safely with Axiom
In a world of endlessly evolving tech, it’s important to stay educated about safety practices in order to avoid damage to your items, home, and family. While it’s possible to calculate the safety limits of your electrical system on your own, it’s always best to consult a professional if you are uncertain.
If you’re in need of electrical work from a team of reliant, efficient, and friendly professionals, reach out to Axiom Power for all your residential and commercial needs in the Tampa area! Call (813) 484-5481 to schedule your appointment!