You now need to figure out which loads go together. This is both based off of physical location and usage of the devices. Any devices that are all used at the same time in the same area can go together onto a single power strip. Examples of groupings include:
- Computer setup (Computer, monitor, printer, router, modem, speakers etc)
- Home entertainment (TV, VCR, DVD, speakers, game consoles etc)
Gotchas:Don't put a device that will need to be on all the time onto one of these strips.
If you have a battery backup for your computer, put the power strip after the battery backup (otherwise it will draw from the battery when you turn it off)
If you have a set of rarely used devices you can chain them off of a more common power strip (say you only use your printer once a month). That way they will turn off with the other devices, but you don't need to turn them on with them.