Hello Ordered a new 2012 prius plug-in base model. I have a GFI outlet in my garage (15 amp) which i am using for cable modem+phone. It has two outlets and I can potentially plug the Prius cable into one of them. My question is can I use the GFI outlet in this fashion i.e. sharing the 2 outlets on the wall receptacle with Prius as well as other small electronics. There are no heavy duty appliances connected to it. There is another power outlet in the garage in the ceiling that is used for garage door opener and it is not a GFI outlet. Just a regular outlet is being used for Garage opener. Looking for other experiences in this regard. Thanks much !.
The wall wart(s) for the modem and phone should have a label listing maximum current. What are those currents? From a strict electric code perspective, if the PiP charger is labeled for a full 12 amps (i.e. 20% de-rating of 15 amps), then you should not put any more devices on that 15 amp circuit. But practically speaking, many people ignore this 20% de-rating, and very few of them burn down the house. Most phones and modems should draw so little that it won't matter, the total will still have considerable margin under 15 amps. For example, the wart for my phone is rated for 0.06 amp, the modem lists 0.3 amp, and a backup disk drive next to the modem lists o.05 amp. And another PiP owner reported her charger drawing 11.4 amps, leaving more than enough room to keep the total load below 12. NB: This presumes the garage lighting and door opener (and any 0ther garage appliances) are on a different circuit, not merely a different outlet on the same circuit and breaker. But don't assume this, verify it. In my garage, all lights and outlets, including those powering the door opener and freezer, are on a single 20 amp breaker.
