I recently moved into a new place, and the room where I keep my PC only has two nearby outlets. My current setup includes a PC, three monitors, a desk lamp, and a Z623 speaker system with subwoofer. I may add another lamp because the room has no ceiling lighting.
Using the maximum ratings, I estimated the total at about 1,150W:
- PC power supply: 650W maximum
- Speaker/subwoofer system: 400W maximum
- Acer VG270 monitor: 48W
- HP EliteDisplay E231: 36W
- ASUS VG249Q: 16W
- Lamp: depends on the bulb
At 110V, 1,150W would be about 10.45A. I know household voltage is usually closer to 120V, but I used 110V to be conservative. I'm considering a Belkin 12-outlet surge protector rated for 3,780 joules and 1,875W, but I'm nervous about putting the PC and subwoofer on the same strip. Is my calculation reasonable, and is this amount of equipment safe to run from one surge protector? Should I be checking what else is connected to the same household circuit?
2 Answers
That setup is probably nowhere near the combined maximum in normal use. The 650W rating on the PC power supply is its capacity, not necessarily what the computer continuously consumes, and the speaker system’s maximum rating is also unlikely to be reached constantly. A properly rated 15A circuit and a quality 15A surge protector should handle this load, assuming other appliances on the same circuit aren’t using much power. APC is one solid brand, though the important things are the amperage rating, safety certification, and a functioning circuit breaker.
The bigger question is what else shares that circuit. The two outlets in your room may be connected to other outlets, lights, or appliances elsewhere in the home. A 1,875W strip rating corresponds to a 15A circuit at 125V, but it’s better not to run a continuous load right at the breaker limit. You can identify the circuit by switching breakers off one at a time and checking which outlets and lights lose power. Don’t use a power strip as a substitute for additional household wiring, and never plug one surge protector into another.
I’m not sure what else is connected yet. I’ll map the outlets by turning off the breakers and checking what stops working before deciding how much equipment to run there.
I still prefer to plan around the worst case, so I’ll check the breaker rating and avoid assuming the listed maximums are harmless.