I have 1 outlet in my entire room so my tv, computer, and other electrical devices get there power from this one outlet, now my question is I recently bought a electric heater because i have no heat in my room, now can i run that heater and the other devices safetly at the same? I have the heater plugged into a surge protector because my outlet isnt 3 pronged.
2007-11-10 14:11:03 · 8 answers · asked by GambitJSC 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
As of right now i just run the heater and nothing else, if it comes to that its no big deal. I might end up returning this for something with less wattage.
2007-11-11 01:46:32 · update #1
I would add another outlet. Electric heaters draw a lot of energy (1500W commonly). Even if you add another outlet the problem is going to be at the breaker, you're going to want to have at least 20 amp breaker service to your room if you're running that much, I'm guessing right now you probably have a 15 amp breaker going into your room. Another thing you could do is take out the exsisting outlet and put in a 20 amp outlet (the actual plug port on the left side top has a --[ looking opening to it), otherwise you're going to melt your current outlet. Hope this helps. To change the breaker service all you have to do is this:
Go to your breaker box and start turning off the individual breaks individually (to find which breaker you room is on) if its 20 you're set to go and skip the rest
After you found the breaker turn off the main breaker (the big one on the top) this will turn off power to your house
Then take the cover off the panel, screw the black wire out of the breaker you found to be your room breaker and place it where its not contacting any other metal
the breaker should pop out by pulling it away from the centerline
you can now turn the main breaker back on or leave it off
take the breaker to a hardware store and ask someone to give you the kind that you need but a 20 amp breaker
turn the power off and put the breaker in screw the back wire back in and put the panel back on, turn the main breaker back on and you're set to go!
2007-11-10 14:29:10 · answer #1 · answered by ravenger_01 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What ravenger_01 has failed to point out is that unless the wiring running thru your house and in your room is at least 12 gauge wire you will most certainly start a fire if you overload the circuit. If you put in a lager breaker the wiring, or the outlet may melt. Make sure before you put in a new breaker that your wiring is heavy enough to handle the current. My suggestion to you is don't run the heater while running other your other devices. If you do right now, while it's on the surge protector most likely you've just flip the breaker at this point. Installing a heavier breaker without knowing what you are doing could be disastrous. Always consult a professional before you do anything that deals with high current electricity.
2007-11-10 22:49:44 · answer #2 · answered by NobleMaN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with NobleMa. You can not jus t swap out breakers with out the correct gage wire. If you do not know the answer to the question you just asked, you should not be switching out breakers in the first place. Call an electrician. If you only have 1 outlet in your room now your house is so not up to current code and who knows what kind of wiring is done in that house and if it ever has been inspected. CALL ELECTRICIAN before you burn the house down!
2007-11-10 23:36:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure your surge protector can handle the wattage because they can let's say burn out! They say how much wattage they can handle look for a piece of paper on the cord of the heater and on the surge protector. If you run it constantly It has to handle the wattage !!I ,Is this your house or a dorm room If its a dorm room I would complain. Stay safe dear!
2007-11-10 22:32:39 · answer #4 · answered by Liteyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seams like you have money for TVs and Computers and other electrical devises, then you should be able to have an Electrician come over and hook you up, There is an old saying, why buy a lamp if you have nowhere to plug it in. Call an Electrician and be SAFE. you wouldn't believe how many people die each year from Over-Load outlets.
2007-11-10 23:10:58 · answer #5 · answered by mr.obvious 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need 12 gauge wire with a 20 amp breaker or you will burn your house down definitely with all that plugged into it.
You'll never wake up in the morning
2007-11-11 00:17:36 · answer #6 · answered by stj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sI would plug all in the surge protector just in case there is a short, The surge protector will shut down if you have a problem ,you should have at least 5 plug ins ,in your surge protector
2007-11-10 22:23:17 · answer #7 · answered by wanna know 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as your outlet is wired properly and a power stripe is in use it shouldn't
2007-11-10 22:45:31 · answer #8 · answered by Jussi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋