I've got a collection of power tools in my garage, most of which are connected to a 15-amp circuit, that is also shared with all the exterior power outlets. So, if I'm using the mitre saw, tablesaw, bandsaw, dust collector, etc. etc. while my wife is pressure washing the deck out back, it trips the breaker, and leads to much cursing.
Fortunately, there is another outlet in the garage, which I guess is intended for a freezer? It has a single NEMA 5-20R(?) receptacle. And, at Lowes I was able to find a nice long 20-amp extension cord (very thick and yellow, with one of the flat pins vertical and the other one horizontal):
Using that, I've been hot swapping that between machines and that has essentially solved the original problem.
But the hot swapping is rather annoying. What I would love is to connect a power bar or splitter to the extension cord, so I can connect several machines to the same circuit. But so far I've not been able to find 20-amp power bars or splitters. Do such things even exist?
Assuming no, the next most obvious option would be to just use a standard 15-amp power strip. But is that safe?
Best Answer
The answer to your last question is "Yes", it is perfectly fine to use a 15 amp plug strip on a 20 amp circuit like you have. That is why the slots on the receptacle go both horizontal and vertical. I'd suggest a plug strip with it's own 15 amp resetable breaker built in. That will protect your lower amp tools.
The second issue would be to build your own multiple outlet strip with a two gang handy box and two 20 amp duplex receptacles and a length of 12 AWG or 10 AWG SO or SVT cable terminated with a 20 amp plug.