Adaptors : When you plug two or more appliances into a plug that makes it possible to use more than one piece of electrical equipment from a single socket. The total current drawn is the sum of the current drawn by each individual appliance. If this current is drawn from a single supply via a multiple adaptor or distribution board, you must always check that the total current drawn does not exceed the maximum safe value for the circuit. A typical example of this is during winter when room heaters and convectors are used to heat up offices and labs.

Sometimes, careless people will plug the heaters into a distribution board without considering:

1. the increased flex length.

2. the rating of the distribution board's flex and fuse.

3. the total amount of current drawn with other appliances.

Blown fuses, burnt flexes and fires are the result!

The use of a large number of plugs and adaptors in a single socket (Fig. 11.2) should be avoided as it can:

1. break the socket;

2. pull the wiring and socket away from the wall;

3. Create intermittent contact which causes superheating and can lead to fires.

Figure: An overloaded socket