When switching on devices with a high inrush current, such as power supply units for a computer, for example, the house fuse may blow.
If the automatic circuit breaker in the distribution board has already tripped several times when the socket strip is switched on, the inrush current of your appliances is well above the usual 16 amps. Wall sockets in Germany are fused with 16 amps. If this value is significantly exceeded, the fuse will blow.
In this case, we recommend inserting an inrush current limiter (adapter) into the wall socket before the socket strip.
This protects the fuse, the power supply units of your appliances and the switch of the socket strip.
Note: Check whether the fuse also trips when nothing is plugged into the power strip. If not, the problem is not with the power strip.
If no devices are plugged in and the fuse still blows, the inrush current from the connected devices cannot be the cause. The power strip itself is likely defective; for example:
- Short circuit or insulation fault in the switch
- damaged internal wiring
- Moisture or dirt
- Faulty indicator light in the switch
- damaged connection cable
A short circuit causes a very high current, which immediately trips the circuit breaker.
Recommendation: Unplug the power strip immediately and do not continue to use it. It should be replaced or inspected by a qualified electrician. If the RCD trips instead of the circuit breaker, this is more likely an indication of a fault current flowing to the protective conductor.