Behind my TV I have 16 open outlets on my UPS, but I can only access 8 of them because half of the bulbous plugs take up two plugs each.
So between my router, modem, switch, access point, Roku, TV, speakers, and Nintendo, I am running out of power outlets, not because there aren’t enough outlets, but because the plugs take up more than one outlet each.
Why can’t all plugs be designed to only take up one plug?
In: 7
Those big chunky plugs have AC to DC transformers in them to power electronic devices that require DC.
Higher demand requires larger transformers, and thus bigger chonks that eventually block other outlets.
Very large and power hungry devices like a PC will have the massive transformer integrated into the device or a separate “power brick” unit entirely, but this is also added cost and complexity.
Because a lot of them are actually transformers rather than plugs. And, yes, they can be designed so the transformer isn’t right on the plug, but the bottom line is that many companies just don’t bother doing that.
With that said, you can get like ten very short extension cables just for this purpose for pretty cheap. So a solution does exist.
Those big chunky plugs have AC to DC transformers in them to power electronic devices that require DC.
Higher demand requires larger transformers, and thus bigger chonks that eventually block other outlets.
Very large and power hungry devices like a PC will have the massive transformer integrated into the device or a separate “power brick” unit entirely, but this is also added cost and complexity.
Because a lot of them are actually transformers rather than plugs. And, yes, they can be designed so the transformer isn’t right on the plug, but the bottom line is that many companies just don’t bother doing that.
With that said, you can get like ten very short extension cables just for this purpose for pretty cheap. So a solution does exist.
Because a lot of them are actually transformers rather than plugs. And, yes, they can be designed so the transformer isn’t right on the plug, but the bottom line is that many companies just don’t bother doing that.
With that said, you can get like ten very short extension cables just for this purpose for pretty cheap. So a solution does exist.
Those big chunky plugs have AC to DC transformers in them to power electronic devices that require DC.
Higher demand requires larger transformers, and thus bigger chonks that eventually block other outlets.
Very large and power hungry devices like a PC will have the massive transformer integrated into the device or a separate “power brick” unit entirely, but this is also added cost and complexity.
I never run into plug size problems unless it’s a plug with an integral wall-wart, so I assume that is also your problem. The wall-wart plugs contain electronics thats uses outlet AC voltage to produce a much lower, much safer DC voltage, usually in the range of 5VDC to 12VDC. There are stringent safety regulations around putting direct AC voltages where people handle them. The regulations call for costly extra space and insulation layers around line AC. The manufacturers minimize that by confining the direct AC to the plug. Wall-wart plugs are larger or smaller depending on the power demand of the device.
Many of the plugs are actually power supplies converting the line voltage to some lower value and usually converting it to DC. These usually overhang other outlets. You could use “outlet savers” available on Amazon. They are basically 6 to 12 inch extension cords that allow you to use all the outlets in your power strips. The power cube is plugged into the end of the short cord.
Maybe the house of tomorrow should just have USB C ports everywhere and all devices will be sold with USB power inputs.
Many of the plugs are actually power supplies converting the line voltage to some lower value and usually converting it to DC. These usually overhang other outlets. You could use “outlet savers” available on Amazon. They are basically 6 to 12 inch extension cords that allow you to use all the outlets in your power strips. The power cube is plugged into the end of the short cord.
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