3 Power Strips Safely?

[Aquaman6410]

So I'm looking at possibly getting the GHL Profilux which has a 6 outlet power strip. I have another Tripp Lite power strip with individual switches, that has 7 outlets. This gives me 13 outlets. With all the equipment I have and possibly will add in the future, I may need at least 3 more outlets. I have things like cabinet lighting, etc that take up outlets but don't need a controllable strip at all so that's easy. I really only want the one controllable GHL power strip. But anyway, with wanting to future proof and possibly need more outlets, I will need a third strip. Of course, I only have a 2 outlet gfi receptacle near the tank so I'm not sure what the safest way would be. Also, its on a 15 amp circuit but the only other thing on it is my tv setup. What are my best options to be able to plug a third strip in safely? Do I need a different receptacle with more outlets? Do I need another outlet installed?

Side question, is it typically expensive to install a new circuit or upgrade the existing one using an electrician? Does it involve major work like drywall work and opening the wall? I do have a wife that would love me to not go too over the top!

Thanks

 

[Snoopy 67]

Safest route is another separate circuit from the panel.
The other way is to tap into the existing one & piggy back the other one.
However that will NOT increase the amount of power you will have available.
As far as electrical work it depends what has to be done. There are outlet boxes that just need the opening.
What has to be done to get the wire there is the $$$

 

[James77]

Side question, is it typically expensive to install a new circuit or upgrade the existing one using an electrician? Does it involve major work like drywall work and opening the wall? I do have a wife that would love me to not go too over the top!

Thanks

It really depends on your house. If its a first floor living area with basement, it won't be much to run another circuit. Probably a couple hundred. If you have something like my rental prperty, a couple floors up with brick firestops in the wall, a good bit more.

There are "old work" boxes that only require a simple cutout of the wall to install. So likely not major work. You may be able to have an electrician replace the current receptacle with 4 outlets, but you would be running everything off one circuit. Not ideal, but I do it.

Edit....just to add. It also depends how many watts your tank pulls on that circuit(with your TV) that determines how risky it will be to have all on one. There will always be the risk of a circuit breaker tripping and nothing works. But you don't want to be running too much juice on the line. If it is 15 AMP, I wouldn't run it at 14.99 amps if you know what I mean. Shoot for 75% or so of max to allow for surges in draw from lights and what not.

 

[Aquaman6410]

I feel like the tank shouldn't be pulling too much power as I try to use the most efficient equipment but I'll need to check. Any recommendation on the best device to use to measure the total amps?

My house is one story with no basement, just an attic. The electric panel is in the garage and the tank is not too far from the garage.

 

[siggy]

Any recommendation on the best device to use to measure the total amps?

I recommend one of these, it auto ranges AC & DC volts and amps along with a continuity checker and is a quality piece of equipment that wont blow up in your face like the cheap ones can do
Your 15amp circuit probably has more than two outlets. you really should run another circuit if your running that much.
You will also benefit having your entertainment center isolated from the tank pumps, motors and hopefully not a heater that shorts out. ( fluke t5-600 )
If you have no experience you really should hire a professional to install a designated 20 amp circuit for your tank, from the sounds of it, it should be a easy run.
Good luck

 

[tdlawdo]

I had one installed. A separate 20Amp circuit when I did my tank build. I added up the max power from all the stuff I had planned and realized it was probably best. I have no basement just a crawl space so that made it a bit harder. It cost less than a couple hundred bucks and too the guy less than an hour. He of course cut a square into the dry wall for the new outlets. I have the apex with Two energy bars and a separate power strip also. Hope it works for you.

 

[Jay Z]

If you have quick access to add another circuit, that would be the optimal route. That being said, let me stir the pot.

My sump is in the basement, I have a stand alone apc pure sine wave unit in the basement also, not one of the small computer ones, but a 103lbs monster one. It is fed by 1 20 amp circuit. I have all my house audio in a rack down stairs hooked to it, 3 receivers, 6 amps, projector, my high draw items) plus the complete sump system.

Running 32 outlets for the sump. 4 bars, 3 are plugged in separate, 1 is daisy chained. Daisy chained one is pretty much every thing in the sump so I can turn off in one shot to work on.

90% of my aquarium items are low draw. So total draw off my sump is predictable and stable. My tanks are upstairs and the lighting is on separate circuits.

If you look at each tag on each item, they should have a amp draw on them. All you need to do is add those up to see what your drawing. For myself 12-13 amps is max I would like to run off a 15 amp, and that at full pull. 20 amp, 17-18 amps. Thats my personal preference, no scientific data on if that correct or not.

The only down fall I can fathom for daisy chained is, strips are touchy sometimes. One gets a glitch or startup pull it can shut off, turning off the rest with it. Also moisture. 1 drop of water in the wrong spot, all 3 are off. So I try not to daisy chain one after another.

I do put di electric grease on all my outlets just for some extra protection. That won't help if water gets into the power bar, but won't do anything if you get water in a plug end.

Just add up the numbers, make sure your under amps, make sure bars are in a safe place.

 

[Aquaman6410]

It does sound like a dedicated circuit for the tank would be ideal. I'm just hoping its good news and affordable at a couple hundred bucks or so. I know its about $80 just to get an estimate and someone out to look.

I have other outlets on the circuit but only the one receptacle near the tank. I'm hoping I can easily get a dedicated circuit installed with at least 4 outlets so I can have 3 power bars connected. That would easily be enough for all equipment now and future.

I definitely like doing the safest option as I worry a ton and don't want an electrical fire in my home while I'm at work or asleep.

 

[Snoopy 67]

As in my place the wires probably all run above the ceiling so running another line should be fairly easy.
A 20 Amp sounds like a plan.
A Kill-A -Watt meter is not that expensive to check your power draw on each item.

 

[James77]

It does sound like a dedicated circuit for the tank would be ideal. I'm just hoping its good news and affordable at a couple hundred bucks or so. I know its about $80 just to get an estimate and someone out to look.

I have other outlets on the circuit but only the one receptacle near the tank. I'm hoping I can easily get a dedicated circuit installed with at least 4 outlets so I can have 3 power bars connected. That would easily be enough for all equipment now and future.

I definitely like doing the safest option as I worry a ton and don't want an electrical fire in my home while I'm at work or asleep.

If you could provide the electrician pretty detailed info, he could probably take care of it in that one visit, so they don't charge to have to come back.

Take pics of your circuit panel so he sees the open spots. If you can, take a pic of where it will be going down from the attic. Roughly measure out the distance between panel and tank, although he probably has a butt load of wire anyways. It being an attic should be on the easier side, they should only have to drill out a couple spots and fish it down the wall.

A killawatt is what I use to measure power, they are like $20 at sotres and on amazon.