Audio equipment and power

  • Thread starter Thread starter dainbramage
  • Start date Start date
dainbramage

dainbramage

Well-known member
Does audio equipment like compressors, preamps, interfaces etc draw much power? I currently have a powerstrip with 6 plugged in outlets (preamp, compressor, guitar preamp, a fuel station powering my 3 pedals, computer, computer screen) plugged into one wall outlet. Then one strip with 5 outlets but only 2 plugged in (a lamp and my interface). The amp has its own outlet and so does the radiator oven and speakers. It is not a very old house, but not very new either. I guess 20-30 years old. I am a bit worried about electrical fires and stuff like that, even though I shut everything down when I'm not using it.

I guess my question is: Should I worry about this?
 
arcaxis said:
Some if not all power strips will have a circuit breaker in them that if the amperage for that power strip is exceeded the the circuit breaker will trip and hopefully protect itself. Look at your power strip and see if there is a button on the side or some other indication like the word "reset" marked on it somewhere. The load you have on each strip is not enough to worry about a fire hazard as long as the wires are in good condition. The computer probably presents the largest load of all the gear you have connected and may be about 300-400 watts and the monitor about 70 watts. A small portable heater might be up around 1400-1500 watts as a comparison.
If you have any worry concerning fire it would be a good idea to install a smoke detector in the room if you don't already have one.
Click to expand...

I see no such thing on my power strips except the on/off-button. Does that mean I should get new ones? As for the fire issue, I no longer worry as I think the wires should be in good condition. I was not sure how much power equipment like this draw. I do have a smoke detector here. Thanks.
 
As has been pointed out, the power draw for an electric heater can be up to 2400W - I have one such beast - you're unlikely to draw that much, or close to it, via a power strip worth of audio gear plugged into a single power point. I have two six point strips, plugged into a double power point... never had a problem.

You probably should check the circuit board of the place you're living to understand if there are fuses, circuit breakers and/or an RCD... If it's modern, and you have the latter two, I wouldn't worry too much...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top