Switch for extension cable

[Halcyon]

Hi everyone,

An electrical question for all those good with electricity.
Does anyone know if the following is possible or anyway to do it ?

I currently have a 5 metre extension cable with my DVD player, CD Player, TV, Amp, plugged into it.
The extension is plugged into the wall.

Now the problem is that I can't get to the plugs anymore since I've put a big piece of furniture in front.

I'd like to know if there exists some sort of switch I could put inbetween the plug end of the extension lead and the other end whereby I would have access to it and could cut off the power to the applicances plugged in.

I am guessing there will be 3 wires in the cable and a normal switch would only be capable of using 2 wires.

Does anyone know what I could use or if there is a switch capable of what I want to achieve.

Many thanks in advance

Halcyon.

[Delta Whiskey]

Any use? - Remote Controlled 13A Socket 4-Pack
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...&criteria=Sale

[Graham M]

One of these

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...C=SO&U=strat15

would do it but its only suitable for devices up to 5A!

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

If you have a master device that you always have on when you use any of the other devices you could use an intelligent extension lead

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...643&doy=search

---------- Post added at 23:49 ---------- Previous post was at 23:48 ----------

Originally Posted by Zeph

One of these

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...C=SO&U=strat15

would do it but its only suitable for devices up to 5A!

Do NOT use one of those, an extension lead is rated up to 13A and you could end up causing a fire with a switch like that. Those are for lighting circuits

[Halcyon]

There are some nice sollutions there.
OK, will make sure I do not use that switch. Don't want to burn the place down.

I will have a look in Maplin tommorow on my way through town and check those out.
I quite like the Intelligent lead.

Thanks everyone

[joglynne]

I use a similar set of remote switches and I can really recommend them as they really work.

Ended up buying a second set to use at Christmas to use with the lights on the 2 trees we put inside the house and the one we have in our porch. No more pine needles down the back of my neck.

[Graham M]

Hey Wicked, dont go jumpin on my toes I did state that it had a max rating of 5A therefor fine for things like Lamps, Stereos, Alarm Clocks, PCs (maybe) if in doubt check the fuse in the plug. Basically they'd be fine for anything youre going to run OFF of the extension lead but certainly not the lead itself, there are a few other ways around it.

[joglynne]

Halcyon, I have been thinking and wonder whether this would work. I use a similar extension lead to the one illustrated with my computer.

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Originally Posted by Zeph

Hey Wicked, dont go jumpin on my toes I did state that it had a max rating of 5A therefor fine for things like Lamps, Stereos, Alarm Clocks, PCs (maybe) if in doubt check the fuse in the plug. Basically they'd be fine for anything youre going to run OFF of the extension lead but certainly not the lead itself, there are a few other ways around it.

Its still not a good idea, yes its fine for things like lamps but the OP isnt using things like lamps. Its all well and good saying is fine for low current devices, but it only takes someone to forget and plug a heater in and then your in trouble.

The fuse has nothnig to do with it, a fuse is there for surge protection. If you draw a constant current over 5 amps the chances are that the switch will melt and therefore your suggestion is dangerous. Also your saying its ok for each device plugged into the extension lead. The OP asked for a device the could be used at the plug end of the extension lead.

We have electrical regulations for a reason.

[Graham M]

Yes I realise regulations are there for a reason I was under the impression he wanted a simple on/off switch for each device and not for the entire extension lead, sorry [edit Rob deleted]

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Originally Posted by Zeph

Yes I realise regulations are there for a reason I was under the impression he wanted a simple on/off switch for each device and not for the entire extension lead, sorry

Advice was dangerous, hence my view.

[r1ch]

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

The fuse has nothnig to do with it, a fuse is there for surge protection. If you draw a constant current over 5 amps the chances are that the switch will melt and therefore your suggestion is dangerous. Also your saying its ok for each device plugged into the extension lead. The OP asked for a device the could be used at the plug end of the extension lead.

We have electrical regulations for a reason.

Yes, and those electrical regulations wouldn't allow them to sell the device unless the fuse was designed to blow before there was any kind of fire hazard. The fuse _isn't_ just there for surge protection, (in fact the ones in mains plugs won't be much help for short high voltage surges) - but it should be rated to blow if you draw more current than the device is intended to handle.

[bopdude]

Of course everyone's over looking the 2 or more obvious choices.

1) Have an extra socket/s installed
2) Get an extension lead with switchable outlets

[Xaccers]

Turning on all those devices at once could be an issue.
When I worked at DERA we had the PAT tester come round.
Due to our "office" being in the corner of the store room, we needed extensions and multisockets to cater for our needs.
with 4 PC's, a printer and the radio, we were at the limit for turning everything on at once, so made sure we did them one at a time.

[Halcyon]

Thank you

I think I've got it down to 3 possibilitities:

1) The remote controlled unit.

2) The Intelliplug extension lead.

3) An extension lead with switchable sockets.

I'm going to check out those products later on today.

Thanks again to everyone.

halcyon.