"Piggy Backed Power Strips"

[kssafety]

Can I get the reference for power strips not being allowed to be "piggy backed". Thanks. KSSAFETY

 

[bphgravity]

Sure. They are actually called "relocatable power taps" by UL. Here is the product guide for these: (2nd paragraph)

This category covers relocatable power taps rated 250 V ac or less, 20 A or less. They are intended for indoor use as relocatable multiple outlet extensions of a single branch circuit to supply laboratory equipment, home workshops, home movie lighting controls, musical instrumentation, and to provide outlet receptacles for computers, audio and video equipment, and other equipment. They consist of one attachment plug and a single length of flexible cord terminated in a single enclosure in which one or more receptacles are mounted. They may, in addition, be provided with fuses or other supplementary overcurrent protection, switches, suppression components and/or indicator lights in any combination, or connections for cable, communications, telephone and/or antenna.

Relocatable power taps are intended to be directly connected to a permanently installed branch circuit receptacle. Relocatable power taps are not intended to be series connected (daisy chained) to other relocatable power taps or to extension cords.

Relocatable power taps are not intended for use at construction sites and similar locations.

Relocatable power taps are not intended to be permanently secured to building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures, nor are they intended to be used as a substitute for fixed wiring. The cords of relocatable power taps are not intended to be routed through walls, windows, ceilings, floors or similar openings.

Relocatable power taps have not been investigated and are not intended for use with general patient care areas or critical patient care areas of health care facilities as defined in Article 517 of ANSI/NFPA 70, "National Electrical Code."

 

[Krim]

Sure. They are actually called "relocatable power taps" by UL. Here is the product guide for these: (2nd paragraph)

bphgravity & kssafety ,
Thanks ... I never really gave much thought to these handy little power strips . Interesting reading .

Carl

 

[ELA]

I had heard that they were not allowed to be daisy chained before and have always wonderfed what the reasoning behind it was?

I see where it is stated that they are not intended to be daisy chained , but why?

Is there a good technical reason why or is it just to discourage people from connecting too many items to a circuit and overloading it?

 

[infinity]

I had heard that they were not allowed to be daisy chained before and have always wonderfed what the reasoning behind it was?

I see where it is stated that they are not intended to be daisy chained , but why?

Is there a good technical reason why or is it just to discourage people from connecting too many items to a circuit and overloading it?

Good question, I have about 5 of them under my desk that are connected together. I don't really see it as a safety issue.

 

[Krim]

Good question, I have about 5 of them under my desk that are connected together. I don't really see it as a safety issue.

Same here. Every one that I've seen has a built-in CB that trips if it overloads.

Carl

 

[dlhoule]

Good question, I have about 5 of them under my desk that are connected together. I don't really see it as a safety issue.

At this point in time, I don't have that situation. I would like to know the reason behind it though, because that way I have a better chance of remembering and explaining when and if necessary.

 

[electricman2]

It also says "Relocatable power taps are not intended to be permanently secured to building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures"
So why is it that they have the holes in the back to fasten them down?:-?

 

[winnie]

I wonder how much of this is a case of 'safe but simply not investigated to see if it is safe'.

If I recall correctly, power distribution 'spiders' used at construction sites can be designed explicitly for daisy chaining.

-Jon

 

[mdshunk]

I had heard that they were not allowed to be daisy chained before and have always wonderfed what the reasoning behind it was?

Don't worry about the real reason. It looks "scary" to people, and it creates work for electricians installing permanent wiring in its place.

 

[LarryFine]

It also says "Relocatable power taps are not intended to be permanently secured to building structures, tables, work benches or similar structures"
So why is it that they have the holes in the back to fasten them down?:-?

I'd acll that "temporarily secured."