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Running Extension Lead under Carpet

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Old 13-10-2009, 6:05 PM   #1
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Running Extension Lead under Carpet

Hi Everyone,

Not sure this is the right place for this....

I'm ok with hiding speaker cable behind walls and under carpet due to it's low voltage, but what about power cable. How do you all get round the need to run power cable to items where there are no power sockets? I'm sure I'm not the only one to hate power cables being on show.

Secondly, I'm successfully running a couple of extension leads plugged into each other, with a host of av stuff (tv, wii, dvd, stb etc) all plugged in. Since it all works I don't see a problem with it, but I just wondered if anyone had other thoughts?

Thanks
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Old 15-10-2009, 10:43 AM   #2
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Re: Running Extension Lead under Carpet

Quote:
Secondly, I'm successfully running a couple of extension leads plugged into each other, with a host of av stuff (tv, wii, dvd, stb etc) all plugged in. Since it all works I don't see a problem with it, but I just wondered if anyone had other thoughts?
- Add up all the loads for the equipment and see what it comes to. Then check this against the rating of the extension leads.
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Old 16-10-2009, 1:57 AM   #3
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Re: Running Extension Lead under Carpet

Quote:
Originally Posted by supermonkey View Post
I'm ok with hiding speaker cable behind walls and under carpet due to it's low voltage, but what about power cable. How do you all get round the need to run power cable to items where there are no power sockets? I'm sure I'm not the only one to hate power cables being on show.
I'd advise against it. The cables are going to get some abrasion and you won't see this happening. One day they will wear through, short and set the carpet on fire.

Get a proper socket fitted or run the cable above. If you have to do it clip it along the top of a skirting board.
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Old 16-10-2009, 2:21 PM   #4
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Re: Running Extension Lead under Carpet

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Originally Posted by Sonic67 View Post

Get a proper socket fitted or run the cable above. If you have to do it clip it along the top of a skirting board.
may be expensive though!
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Old 16-10-2009, 2:42 PM   #5
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Re: Running Extension Lead under Carpet

I would be more concerned about heat than abrasion. You don't say the weight of the extension cords or if your gear is high current. Chances are, if the power cord is properly insulated even if there is abrasion it's unlikely to wear through the outer insulation then through the insulation of the two inner conductors. Both bare conductors would need to touch to cause a spark. If you plan to keep this setup for a long duration you may want to get heavy gage wire and appropriate length.
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Old 17-10-2009, 9:55 PM   #6
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Re: Running Extension Lead under Carpet

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkP80 View Post
- Add up all the loads for the equipment and see what it comes to. Then check this against the rating of the extension leads.
Been adding up the loads and I'm just a little stuck on the amp. It states a max power of 650w, is this when used at full volume? Would it decrease as volume decreases?

Thanks
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Old 18-10-2009, 7:31 AM   #7
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Re: Running Extension Lead under Carpet

Quote:
Originally Posted by supermonkey View Post
Been adding up the loads and I'm just a little stuck on the amp. It states a max power of 650w, is this when used at full volume? Would it decrease as volume decreases?

Thanks
Add up all the max loads first and see what total you get
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Old 18-10-2009, 11:22 AM   #8
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Re: Running Extension Lead under Carpet

Quote:
Originally Posted by BobTheViewer View Post
Add up all the max loads first and see what total you get
Yep, done that. The total is ok, a little tolerance, but just hoping the amps power consumption would be even lower!
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Old 18-10-2009, 11:55 AM   #9
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Re: Running Extension Lead under Carpet

ok, i've just done a test using my power consumption monitor (a freebie!) and the amp seemed to add between 6 & 8 watts per hour to my total consumption. hardly 650w!

Last edited by supermonkey; 19-10-2009 at 5:36 PM.
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