Am I overworking my power outlets?

[Tinnerito]

Hello! If you didn't know, all of my tanks, not just saltwater, but freshwater, and terrestrial enclosures are running in my bedroom since my parents don't find them fancy like I do:thinking-face::thinking-face::thinking-face:... But pretty soon I'd like to start a quarantine tank, which makes me wonder if I am overworking the outlets in my room... I have 2 wall mounted outlets, with 4 total power strips plugged into them (3 to 8 outlets per). My power strips now are filled up, meaning I'll have to add another one upon setting up my qt (5 strips). Do I pose any risk of burning them out or causing my parent outlets to break or anything? I don't know anything about that kind of stuff, but as far as I'm concerned, I may have to start paying my dad for electricity.

 

[Red_Beard]

2 steps to answering that question.
1, what is the amperage rating of the circuit breaker feeding those outlets
2, what is the total amp draw on the circuit

The answer to 1 is going to be 15 or 20 amps. You dont want to keep sustained loads over 80% of that rating. Also bear in mind that the breaker likely feeds more than just your bedroom.

To answer 2, you really need some way of measuring current. Best method is to use an amp clamp and a multimeter at the main panel on that circuit, but For you i would recommend using a smart outlet. Look on Amazon or wherever for usage monitoring plugs, plug your strips in and get an average.
The other way to guesstimate 2 would be to add up all the wattage ratings of everything you plug in. Ex, 200w heater, 250w light, 100w pump, 150w wavemaker add up to 700w. You take your watts and divide by 120(voltage of the outlet) and you end up at 5.83 amps. This method will ALWAYS be more than actual load though(example, 250w light only running at 80%, or the pump at 100w will really be 80w once it is flowing), but give you an idea of what is there.

Good luck and dont get shocked!

 

[Red_Beard]

Also, better add: please talk with your parents before doing any of the above

 

[Tinnerito]

2 steps to answering that question.
1, what is the amperage rating of the circuit breaker feeding those outlets
2, what is the total amp draw on the circuit

The answer to 1 is going to be 15 or 20 amps. You dont want to keep sustained loads over 80% of that rating. Also bear in mind that the breaker likely feeds more than just your bedroom.

To answer 2, you really need some way of measuring current. Best method is to use an amp clamp and a multimeter at the main panel on that circuit, but For you i would recommend using a smart outlet. Look on Amazon or wherever for usage monitoring plugs, plug your strips in and get an average.
The other way to guesstimate 2 would be to add up all the wattage ratings of everything you plug in. Ex, 200w heater, 250w light, 100w pump, 150w wavemaker add up to 700w. You take your watts and divide by 120(voltage of the outlet) and you end up at 5.83 amps. This method will ALWAYS be more than actual load though(example, 250w light only running at 80%, or the pump at 100w will really be 80w once it is flowing), but give you an idea of what is there.

Good luck and dont get shocked!

Thanks for the thorough reply! I will follow your tips!

 

[Red_Beard]

Hit me up if you have any questions :)

 

[jsmkmavity]

Ditto what @Red_Beard said.
I would add 1 thing that is often unknown/overlooked. Even on a 20 amp circuit each outlet is almost always only rated for 15 amps each. So 15 amps x 80% =12 amps maximum on any one outlet and 16-17 amps max on one 20 amp circuit.

 

[jsmkmavity]

"BEFORE" doing this please check with your parents to see if turning off breakers will affect anything they are running!!!
You can find the breaker that powers your bedroom if its not marked by turning off one at a time until you see the light on your tank(s) go off. Then go around with a hair dryer and plug it into other outlets in the house to see if anything else is on the same breaker. Sometimes lights and outlets are on the same breaker too.