From: cj.green@worldnet.att.net (Christopher Green)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: New circuit breakers
Date: 15 Oct 2004 12:42:58 -0700

"Scott Smith"  wrote in message news:<10mvn9tnjuu7e5@corp.supernews.com>...
> Thanks FC.
> 
> Is the rated wattage (listed on each device) the "peak wattage"?
> 
> I know the typical lights/outlets split.  What I am wondering is whether 
> there is any logic to whether/how my *outlets* should be split.  For 
> instance, one of my laser printers is 11A, and another is 7.8A.  (Per the 
> markings on the device.)  Should I divide outlets logically into 20A 
> groupings?
> 
> Thanks again

Laser printers draw a lot of power to keep the fuser hot; those
nameplate markings may be peak draw while the fuser is heating. If
both are out of standby at the same time, you're at 18.8A, close to
the capacity of a 20A circuit. If you arrange your work so that only
one is active, while the other is on standby, you have some headroom,
but keeping laser printers on their own circuit is usually a good idea
for interference reasons anyway.

-- 
Chris Green