Power Boards

Most homes and office are powering an array of different electrical devices like coffee machines, TVs, computers and mobiles devices including phones, laptops and iPads. Power boards solve the problem of not enough power sockets. But like the vast array of devices they power, there are power boards to suit many different devices and situations.

When it comes to choosing a power board there’s more to it than just the number of added power sockets it will provide. It’s worth considering how the devices might need to be powered, where the devices will be charged and what range of devices you need to power.

Technically, the specifications of the power board will need to match your devices, and all the 4Cables powerboards are built to the Australian requirements. As a minimum, power boards will have a 10A (Amps) current rating on a single-phase, have a power rating of 2400 Watts to suit a supply voltage of 240VAC.

In its simplest form, a four- or six-outlet power board will boost your power connections in a cost-effective way. If this doesn’t suit, consider a power board that is individually switched, allowing you to turn each device on and off as it suits. On the other hand, you may want to be able to turn the board on and off, so look for one with a single master switch that lets you control the power to all of the connections at once.

Powerboards typically have a one-metre lead as standard, but if this isn’t sufficient look for a powerboard with extension lead that will cover a longer distance between the main wall socket and the location of your connected devices.

Some powerboards will also have the option to be wall or shelf-mounted, and there are also square and rounded powerboards that can sit on top of desks or benches. Rack-mounted powerboards cater to industry-specific settings, particularly for AV and networking equipment, and have added features like surge protection, warning lights and noise reduction.

If it’s a mixture of mains power and USB charging that’s needed, a combination power board with USB will fit the bill. In work sites like construction or engineering opt for a rugged heavy-duty power board in a metal casing with features like surge and overload protection, spaced socket for bulky power connections and is brightly coloured for visibility.

There are also powerboards designed for protecting devices from standard home appliances to high-end audio-visual and home theatre equipment and even workplace networking equipment. If it’s computing, TVs, Hi-Fi and internet devices that need to be powered, powerboards with smart filter features will filter, or clean, electrical frequency noise from impacting performance or from device noise contaminating power.