[OT] "extended " Y cord

[Alma J Wetzker]

Vu Pham wrote:
>  
> 
> 
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: linux-users-bounces at linux-sxs.org 
>>[mailto:linux-users-bounces at linux-sxs.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hipp
>>Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 3:44 PM
>>To: Linux tips and tricks
>>Subject: Re: [OT] "extended " Y cord
>>
>>Vu Pham wrote:
>>
>>>I am trying to clean up my rack that has about 8 devices ( 
>>
>>routers , 
>>
>>>switches, servers ). I found some cords called Y cord that 
>>
>>allows you 
>>
>>>to use one plug for two devices.
>>>
>>>I wonder if there is any kind of "extended" Y cord that has 
>>
>>one plug 
>>
>>>for three or more devices. If there is, it will save space 
>>
>>in my little rack.
>>
>>Maybe I misunderstood ... but isn't such a thing referred to 
>>as a "power strip".
>>
> 
> 
> Sorry that my asking is not very clear.
> 
> The power strip, let's say, has 8 plugs and you have 16 devices. How can you
> power on all of the devices with that power strip ? The Y cord is the power
> cable that uses only one plug but the other end allows you to plug to two
> devices. So in this case, you can power on all those 16 devices with eight Y
> cord.
> 
> And I wonder if there is such that cable but allows my to plug to 3 or more
> devices, just to make the rack to have less cables. 

You need to be careful with that configuration.  The power splitters 
that I have are designed to run wall warts off the end, usually power 
draw < 500 mA.  If you are running full systems, that is sometimes 
called a "fuse test."  When I was a paramedic at the fire station, they 
called it a fire hazard.

Recently, there was a fire in a student housing unit where three people 
died.  The cause was overloaded power lines to run the computers. 
Please try to distribute the power draw load better.  Just because you 
can do something does not mean that you should.  Power strips, good 
extension cords, and cable routing accessories are inexpensive, use them.

     -- Alma