Power Forum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share you ideas and experiences.

Power Forum

RE: Problem with new Power Port Premier...

24.144.104.233

In Reply to: RE: Problem with new Power Port Premier... posted by vinylphile on May 29, 2009 at 15:13:10

"Is there some problem with the Power Port Premier?"

Sure sounds like it. Did you try installing it in a normal circuit?

"Also, does this make the circuit 30A (two 15s ganged together)?"

I've never heard of running two lines in parallel from the panel box to one outlet. I'm no electrician, but as an educated guess I'd say the answer to your question is "no." The power port isn't rated for 30 amps as far as I know. Were you to actually draw 30 amps through it I think you would be taking a risk.

In practice it's possible one of the breakers would trip before the other, in which case you might not be able to pull a full 15 amps through each.

Why do this instead of installing a second outlet for the other line?

Follow Ups:

RE: Problem with new Power Port Premier... - vinylphile 19:01:27 05/30/09 (2)
Thanks for your response.

I didn't try installing it in another outlet yet - but as I said my original power port works perfectly fine.

As for why the electrician wired it that way - I really don't know. I actually asked for a 20A circuit and this is what he gave me. A bit weird because of the 3-wire situation in the box - but the classic power port works perfectly fine with the one white wire on the "white" side and one red and one black wire on the "black" side.

I suppose I could try to install the new Power Port Premier in another outlet - but really I need it to work in this outlet so if it doesn't I guess I'll just return it. I was just wondering if there was something simple that I may have neglected but it appears not...
- You're taking a big risk IMO - skytag 17:01:20 05/31/09 (0)
  "As for why the electrician wired it that way - I really don't know. I actually asked for a 20A circuit and this is what he gave me. A bit weird because of the 3-wire situation in the box"
  
  I think he pulled a fast one on you. I'd bet real money that doesn't meet code because the breakers don't provide adequate protection. As I said, I'm not an electrician, but 30A circuits require 10AWG romex and outlets rated for 30A take a different plug. Your breakers will allow 30A, but nothing else in the circuit is rated for 30A. The dual hot wires will handle 30A, but the single 12AWG white wire isn't rated for that kind of current and neither is the outlet. Those are only approved up to 20A.
  
  The upshot is that if something were to short out or go bad in such a way that it started pulling 25 or 30 amps through the circuit you'd be exceeding the rated capacity of your outlet, the white wire, and possibly other components in the system, but the breakers wouldn't trip, which could result in a fire. If you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, hire a reputable electrician to take that out and give you a legitimate, safe 20A circuit. At the very least call your local building inspector or a different electrician and ask him if that's legit. I'd be very, very surprised if it is.
- RE: Problem with new Power Port Premier... - PaulMC 06:32:59 05/31/09 (0)
  I agree with Skytag - however, it's hard to imagine the Power Port Premier doesn't work unless one of the screws snapped off which would probably be pretty obvious. We're happy to replace this for you and offer apologies for the hard work that has resulted in nothing accomplished.

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Michael Percy Audio