Scenario
20 computer chargers, say, are plugged into extension cords of 5 outlets each, and those extension cords plugged into fifth. There is no mechanism for "soft-charging". The chargers are connected to the devices they charge.
So, we have four groups, in parallel, and each group has 5 charger in parallel.
I now plug the single plug on the extension feeding everything into the electrical outlet (230V ac, 50Hz) and, no surprise, the fuse trips.
However, if I disconnect all of the chargers, plug in the "main" plug, and then connect all chargers one by one, the fuse does not trip.
That is, in steady-state operation, the voltage and current are within acceptable limits for the circuit, and below the max amps on the fuse for the electrical circuit.
My Question What are the physical effects leading the tripping of the fuse?
My Thoughts Can this situation be approximately modelled by a RLC circuit, with the chargers as the inductors, and the devices being charged as the capacitors? Would the fuse tripping be explained in the initial peak-current before the steady-state dynamics dominated, or would other, more direct effects (e.g. electrical arcing when the connection is made) be more likely?
EDIT I already know that there is a sudden surge in current when the devices are first plugged in. What I am really after is the underlying cause of this, and, further, whether this can be modelled in a way analogous to a "standard" electrical model like a RCL circuit.