mini fridges? [leicester uni]

mike_J

Hey, was wondering if anyone knew if we were allowed mini fridges in our rooms? Somewhere to keep a nice cool pint of err milk or two :biggrin:

I think i remember reading no electrical appliances somewhere, but i may well be making that up.

From what I've read, all rooms are fused at 2 amps, this means there's no way in hell you could use anything with an element (kettle, toaster, heater..), as they would draw too much current and blow the fuse (unless you found the fuse box, and changed yours for a higher rated fuse, haha, and risk getting in trouble!). Now mini fridges, I don't know how much current they draw (combined with all the other devices in your room). If you have one in mind, post me a link or let me know it's power rating..

Reply 3

mike_J

OP

2

my power suply to my pc is 500w, is there any possibility that could blow the fuse? (my ignorance to electronics sometimes amazes me) and no, i didnt have a fridge in mind, thought i'd ask if we were allowed them before i went out and bought one =)

Reply 4

Well in the accomodation booklet it says "the electrical outlets in your study bedroom are usually fused at 2 amps"

Physics lesson time.

Power = Voltage x Current

Therefore Current = Power/Voltage

If your pc requires 500w to run, and the voltage from the socket is 240v, then Current = 500w/240v = 2.083...amps

Uh oh...

Reply 5

lolay88

arghhh the 2amps in rooms thing is terrible!! i've been looking for desk lamps in shops but all the good ones require 2.5amps!!!! So let alone the mini fridges!! (which would come in soooo handy! :redface:

!) Do any of you guys know if the catered accomodation have a fridge in the little kitchen? (i'm quite worried about not being able to cook some real food! :s)
still on the food topic, the cafeteria only opens from 5:30 pm to 7pm!!! (at least in the NEw Hall) What is that about??? :redface:

it's wayyy to early to eat!! i'll probably end up taking it all to my room until and eat it later! :wink:

Reply 6

Lady_Darkness

In theory you're not meant to have mini fridges... but in reality I know several people who had them and never had any problems with fuses or anything. And the only person, besides you/mates that will know you've got it is your cleaner - and they're usaully cool with it (our cleaner knew full well that some of the girls had kettles in their rooms).
Couldn't guarantee you anything - the rules seem to be against them.

Reply 7

Lady_Darkness

In theory you're not meant to have mini fridges... but in reality I know several people who had them and never had any problems with fuses or anything. And the only person, besides you/mates that will know you've got it is your cleaner - and they're usaully cool with it (our cleaner knew full well that some of the girls had kettles in their rooms).
Couldn't guarantee you anything - the rules seem to be against them.

Haha, it's beyond me how anyone could use a kettle in a room where the sockets are fused at 2 amps.. :confused:

Ah well, at least they got away with it somehow!

Reply 8

Tomber

13

A mate of mine had a mini fridge in his room, and I was pretty much using the entire national grid in mine with guitar amps and so forth; nothing blew : )

Reply 9

Vics

1

Friend of mine had one and his worked fine, Even though technically he shouldn't have had it!

The kitchens in each block have a fridge though.

Reply 10

I know that with alot of universities the fuse thing isnt always a law that is followed to the letter. People have all sorts of hi power equipment in the rooms, as as smileinregret my fellow physisist said, use the good old power equation. Best way is:
Based on 2amps
2 multiplied by power 240volts ... 480watts
Anything up to 480should be safe, however, fuses get old and often dont work to their actual quoted load so people usually get away with high power stuff.

I dont know, if you're able to go home easily then you could probably just wait and see what everyone else gets away with, and then haul in the high power equipment if you can get away with it.

As for the computer...

my power suply to my pc is 500w, is there any possibility that could blow the fuse? (my ignorance to electronics sometimes amazes me) and no, i didnt have a fridge in mind, thought i'd ask if we were allowed them before i went out and bought one =)
__________________

Yes you can easily get away with it. You usually build in a 500w + PSU into your computer to ensure that it runs smoothly and so it can cope with peak demand. And 500w is quite alot of power consumption for a desktop computer, I'd say it would probably be running around 300w when using alot of the processor and booting including the monitor, probably less with a LCD screen. And about 120-170w idle. So you should be in no danger of blowing the fuse.

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 11

ASDuley

I know that with alot of universities the fuse thing isnt always a law that is followed to the letter. People have all sorts of hi power equipment in the rooms, as as smileinregret my fellow physisist said, use the good old power equation. Best way is:
Based on 2amps
2 multiplied by power 240volts ... 480watts
Anything up to 480should be safe, however, fuses get old and often dont work to their actual quoted load so people usually get away with high power stuff.
I mean if you act ditsy enough you could sneakily try something and then shove the said appliance in someone elses room while you tell the uni that you plugged in your hairdryer "and next thing I new there was a loud bangy noise! oh it did make me jump! I thought...wht ever could it be? *flutters eye lashes*"

I dont know, if you're able to go home easily then you could probably just wait and see what everyone else gets away with, and then haul in the high power equipment if you can get away with it.

As for the computer...

Yes you can easily get away with it. You usually build in a 500w + PSU into your computer to ensure that it runs smoothly and so it can cope with peak demand. And 500w is quite alot of power consumption for a desktop computer, I'd say it would probably be running around 300w when using alot of the processor and booting including the monitor, probably less with a LCD screen. And about 120-170w idle. So you should be in no danger of blowing the fuse.

You a physics student also?!

Reply 12

elyse180887

1

trying to find a friend?

Reply 13

elyse180887

trying to find a friend?

Haha, yes.

Reply 14

Yeah, lol, its true.
Hello, friend. :tongue:

Reply 15

ASDuley

Yeah, lol, its true.
Hello, friend. :tongue:

Hey there, what course you taking then?

Reply 16

Just Plain old MPhys, I havent specialised ... yet, incidentally this has nothing to do with mini fridges and 2amp power supplies. lol

Reply 17

Haha, I'm doing Bsc Physics with Astrophysics.

Reply 18