How wattage/amp ratings work when plugging things into power strip/surge protector?

Question

I just don’t get it. Only a handful of devices would put you over the 15A limit right?

In: 1

Answer 1

For fully resistive loads (water heater, incandescent lights, toaster, etc.), the power factor is 1.

For loads like computers, TVs, monitors, etc the power factor is about 0.7

That means you can draw 15 Amp * 120 V * 0.7 = 1260 W safely from one socket.