I had two 15Amp circuits run independently (each a homerun) to my AV closet. I purchased a very nice full size MidAtlantic rack and it has a 14 outlet power strip on it. The included power strip though is 20Amp with 20A plug.

Can I switch the plug to 15A and replace the 20A fuse with a 15A fuse?? I would then only use 10 of the outlets or so, which is still more than I need.

Obviously I'm trying to avoid throwing the existing power strip out and buying a new 15A one. Will probably cost me more than the $50 I paid for the lighly used rack!

Thanks in advance

I had two 15Amp circuits run independently (each a homerun) to my AV closet. I purchased a very nice full size MidAtlantic rack and it has a 14 outlet power strip on it. The included power strip though is 20Amp with 20A plug.

Can I switch the plug to 15A and replace the 20A fuse with a 15A fuse?? I would then only use 10 of the outlets or so, which is still more than I need.

Obviously I'm trying to avoid throwing the existing power strip out and buying a new 15A one. Will probably cost me more than the $50 I paid for the lighly used rack!

Thanks in advance

Just cut the plug off and install a 15a plug. Some hacks (not you) will just twist the prong to make it fit. Don't do that, put on a new plug. Remember BLACK to BRASS SCREWand WHITE to SILVER SCREW. GREEN is of course GREEN SCREW. If European color coded wire then BROWN to BRASS SCREW and BLUE to SILVER SCREW.

I wouldn't bother changing the fuse because you have it plugged into a 15a circuit. The breaker in your panel will trip first thus preventing overloading the strip. Also the number of outlets have nothing to do with the maximum current. As long as you don't pull more than 80% of 15a you can use all the outlets. And even though you now have a 15a plug, it's still perfectly safe at 20a on a future 20a outlet or circuit. See below for reason.

A word about 20a plugs and sockets.

A 15a plug will safely handle 20a. Likewise a 15a receptical will also safely carry 20a. It has to support 20a in loop thorugh wiring mode so the metal must be capable of 20a.

So why do we have special 20a 120v plugs then?

The idea is to prevent a device that normally pulls more than 80% of 15a from being plugged into a 15a only circuit. Sure the 15a circuit is protected and the breaker/fuse will trip in this case but it represents a nuisance. The NEC wants to make things as fool proof as possible. So if your product needs a 20aa circuit, they want a 20a plug on it so the end user only plugs it into a 20a circuit. Still even with a 20a branch circuit with the proper 20a receptical there is a potential problem. What if 10a or so is already being pulled off the circuit from another outlet? Well again the fuse or breaker will protect the wiring from overload but the end user still has a confusing quandry!

I think 20a devices should be dedicated twist lock only. You can't branch twistlock outlets per code.

Well again the fuse or breaker will protect the wiring from overload but the end user still has a confusing quandry!

Great post Glimmie...

Although I don't see how overloading a ciruit is all that confusing. Regardless of how little you have plugged into the circuit physically. I guess the only answer would be to have every recepticle have it's own protection which would include a home run back to the panel. (and the masses believe electrical costs too much as it is...lol)

You can't branch twistlock outlets per code.[/QUOTE]

i was just curious where in the NEC it says this. what section?

I think 20a devices should be dedicated twist lock only. You can't branch twistlock outlets per code.

I used to work in theatrical lightitng, and that's exactly what we used to do.

Frank

I used to work in theatrical lightitng, and that's exactly what we used to do.

Frank

I work in the TV/Film industry too. I have never seen a stage electrical system that is even close to code! And I'm not sure but there may be variances for special applications like that.

You can't branch twistlock outlets per code.

i was just curious where in the NEC it says this. what section?[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure. A contractor once told me this. He was an industrial class electrician and knew his stuff.

Glimmie just about covered the topic! But one very small nit, the 85% rule is for continuous power (like space heaters and projectors) audio equipment use's full power very intermittently.

I work in the TV/Film industry too. I have never seen a stage electrical system that is even close to code! And I'm not sure but there may be variances for special applications like that.

Haha...uhhh, no. Not to code, and yes...there are variances. Places like houses of worship do have to be to code though, which presents a whole bunch of challenges.

Frank

Glimmie just about covered the topic! But one very small nit, the 85% rule is for continuous power (like space heaters and projectors) audio equipment use's full power very intermittently.

That's funny... Around here, heaters are the only thing that we can spec at 100%.

Fixed electric space heaters are calculated as continuous load, i.e., 80% branch circuit rating (NEC 424.3(B)).

Portable space heaters, like the kind you stick under your desk, are not continuous loads.

CEC 62-112
(6) Where a service, or feeder, or branch circuit is used solely for the supply of energy to heating equipment, shall not exceed
(a) 100% when service box, fusible switch, circuit breaker, or panel board is marked for continuous operation at 100%

Awesome response Glimmie, thank you very much !

Just get one of these nifty little plugs from Furman:

http://qualityelectronics.stores.yahoo.net/fuadadco.html