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It's not the outlets themselves which are the problem, it's what might be plugged in to them. The more outlets, the more loads that can be added to the circuit. Having lots of outlets simply increases the opportunity to add loads, and ultimately, to overload the circuit. Overloads, as you may know, can result ultimately in fires with attendant loss of property or even lives. Of course, if only small loads are plugged in to the outlets, and/or if many of the outlets are unused, then there would be no problem -- except possibly for one: you need to make sure your installation is "up to code"; that is, it complies with the laws and regulations that apply to your electrical wiring. In the USA, a good place to start if you have questions about code requirements is http://www.nfpa.org/freecodes/free_access_agreement.asp?id=7008SB This site gives you free access to the 2008 National Electrical Code.

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16y ago
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12y ago

As more items are plugged into a circuit the resistance of the circuit rises. This is the same formula that you use for resistances in parallel. As each item is plugged into the circuit its resistance rises causing the current of the circuit to become higher. The breaker is in the circuit to protect the wire from overloading with the higher current . When an over limit of items are plugged in, the breaker trips, cutting off the current to the circuit. A usual limit to a 15 amp circuit is 12 amps or 1440 watts. The breaker will trip at 15 amps or 1800 watts.

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12y ago

If the current (amps) supplied to the appliance(s) plugged into an outlet exceed the rated current-carrying capacity of that outlet, you can have problems.

Examples are bad contacts from the sockets in the outlet to the prongs of the plug, causing excessive heat, and the circuit wires which supply the outlet get hot, also causing excessive heat. That extra heat can reach high enough temperatures to start a home fire.

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10y ago

It is always a bad idea to overload the breakers in your fuse box. While you hope the breaker trips and shuts off the load, there is always the risk it malfunctions and the wire overheats, setting your home ablaze. That is always unpleasant, both for property owners and their neighbors.

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15y ago

The safest thing that can happen is for the breaker to trip and shut the circuit off. This is safe because the load does not exceed the rating of the wire. Now if a light weight extension cord (#16 wire size) is plugged into the receptacle this causes some concern as the breaker will not trip out soon enough to protect the light weight cord. I have seen ends completely burned off of these type cords. It was only a smoke alarm that brought it to the families attention.

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15y ago

H = I2RT. Parallel circuit drawn too much current, that's why the fuse heat up.

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14y ago

Too many appliances connected to one circuit usually will trip the circuit break or blow the over current device.

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11y ago

that circuit loses more power faster

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Q: Why might an overloaded outlet cause a problem?
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Does a hissing sound coming from the wall where a space heater is plugged in indicate a problem with the wiring or cause a fire?

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