Electrical outlet wiring
 

Having a network of up to 8 machines ultimately connected via one or two plugs into a wall outlet doesn't seem very solid to me. I figure there is a standard way to wire the outlet to achieve a direct connection. What are other people doing in this regard? I'm in Canada.

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You want to speak to an electrician, so that he can tell you the local code. For my purposes, as long as I'm under 2/3 (67%) of the rating for the circuit (10A for a 15A circuit), I consider it OK. Since I always have a smart UPS between the equipment and the line, current monitoring is straight forward.

macemoneta is dead on here. Generally, 110v outlets in the USA and Canada are rated at 15amps. Depending on the power supply and hardware, you're likely drawing 2-3amps per computer, possibly more. In general, I try to have no more then 3 systems per circuit. Often times, electrical outlets in residential settings, are wired in the same circuit. You might have 2 or 3 outlets in one room but there's a good chance they're all on the same breaker and it's probably only rated at 15amps. Just a few things to think about.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Mod note: Not a Linux question

if you are in europe most 230V outlets are rated at 10-13 amps but the entire ring main is normally rated at 32A

you shoudl not directly wire anything as the fuse ratings are tehre for a reason.

my recomendatioon would be to try top divide the load over a number of outlet plates.
if this is not possable get an electrictian to install a seperate spur for the computers withat least a 16A supply, and seperatly fused outlets to the relivant standard (UK plusgs are fused anyway so having each on a seperate plug does this.)