Electrical Portable Outlet Devices (EPODs) commonly known as "PowerBoards", "Multi-Plugs", & "Multi-Boxes"
[ Last Updated 13 May 2008 ]
Electrical Portable Outlet Devices (EPOD's) are multiple electrical
socket-outlets mounted onto a portable case, allowing you to plug in several appliances at once. They are commonly used where there are not enough wall socket-outlets available for the number of appliances the owner wants to plug in simultaneously.
EPODs are often used in older houses where sometimes there is only a single socket-outlet in a room. They are used to accommodate the growing number of electrical appliances in households, even in new houses.
For example EPODs are used with computers and associated equipment including a monitor, printer, scanner and modem. They are also used with televisions and DVD players, video recorders players, satellite receivers and stereo systems.
Using EPODs safely
The way most EPODs are used, is that they are plugged into a free wall socket-outlet and the connected board containing typically 4 to 8 socket-outlets lies on the floor adjacent to that socket-outlet.
This portability leaves the EPOD open to risk of physical damage, in that they can be easily dropped, stood upon, and caught under furniture. This damage is not always apparent and is often not noticed. The result of this damage often results in poor electrical contact between plug pins of appliances connected and the EPOD. Check regularly for wear and tear. If the EPOD is damaged, stop using it and replace it.
Poor electrical contact and overloading is a major cause of electrical fires, especially if the appliances connected draws heavy current loads, such as heaters, electric jugs/kettles, washing machines and stoves. These sort appliances should be plugged directly into wall socket-outlets, not EPODs, because if used together they could exceed the "Total load" rating of the EPOD. Also never use them in damp or wet areas, if marked “For indoor use only".
Always place EPODs out of the reach of young children.
Approval of electrical appliances
In New Zealand (and Australia) the EPOD is a declared article, requiring formal approval by the electricity Regulator before legal sale. In order to gain approval, each model of EPOD is tested and inspected to a specific AS/NZS safety standard that a New Zealand and Australian committee of industry experts and Regulators have produced to ensure that EPODs are safe to use.
AS/NZS 3105:2007 is the current safety standard, this requires the plastics used in EPODs to be highly fire resistant and that a safety overload device is fitted to help prevent the EPOD from being overloaded.
Additional EPOD safety features
Some EPODs have additional features such as:
- Shuttered socket-outlets, which prevent children pushing something into them.
- Built-in RCD that will automatically disconnect power in the event of an earth fault.
- Surge protector that prevents sensitive electronic equipment being damaged by electrical surges (spikes).
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