Eliminate Rat's Nest

TonyW2 · 22 Mar 2009

I am using 12 computer items, that require individual power supplies, from one ring socket by interconnecting 3 extension trailing sockets.
Is there a simple and better way to tidy up this mess?

I have considered extending the ring, (but fitting 12 sockets on a wall seems like overkill), and also fitting an old fuse box with a plug feed from the existing socket and then wiring all the items directly into the fuse box.
This latter seems most appropriate but I guess there is some simpler connection box that would achieve the same result.

Applogies to any proper electricians who have been apalled by this rats nest system.Thanks for any input.

nitro23456 · 22 Mar 2009

change the single socket for a double or triple for starters?

be neater if nothing else.

flameport · 22 Mar 2009

You could fit 12 sockets on the wall, although using one of these would be much easier and a lot neater:
http://www.olson.co.uk/13amp_slim.htm

Don't use the old fusebox idea - it will just turn into a worse mess than you have now.

Steve · 22 Mar 2009

12 computer items is nothing compared to what some people have. Dont worry yourself about it.

hairyben · 22 Mar 2009

If they're all on a big computer desk, screw a couple of 6 way extensions to the back of the desk itself (most have those little keyholes on the back)

Then when you want to wheel the desk out you have 1 plug to undo and the desk, computer & all it's cabling is self contained.

TonyW2 · 22 Mar 2009

Hmm....
Thanks for the suggestions. They are a bit of an improvement but it looks like a 10 way adaptor may be the best offer.
However, I may cobble something up with some choc blocs and old busbars in some home made box, or a nailed up bottom drawer of the desk.
Thanks anyway.

Steve · 22 Mar 2009

TonyW2 said:
Hmm....
Thanks for the suggestions. They are a bit of an improvement but it looks like a 10 way adaptor may be the best offer.
However, I may cobble something up with some choc blocs and old busbars in some home made box, or a nailed up bottom drawer of the desk.
Thanks anyway.

Sorry, how the hell will this be an improvement? Fusing? What about low voltage stuff with wall warts? Please keep your extension leads, they are the safest way to do what you want. They are fused and meet british standards, unlike any choc block abomination.

breezer · 23 Mar 2009

TonyW2 said:
........However, I may cobble something up with some choc blocs and old busbars in some home made box, or a nailed up bottom drawer of the desk.
Thanks anyway.

Why did you come here and ask how to do it properly if you have already decided to do your own lash up (which is dangerours)

conny · 23 Mar 2009

Erm,
clearly a wind up chaps by a sad lonely git?

TonyW2 · 23 Mar 2009

Oops-sorry!
Humour byepass fitted?

I really did think that there would be a proper "box" available with the ability tp connect all the power supply cables neatly within it, and then wire it back to the ring.

powersurge · 23 Mar 2009

Have you considered IEC sockets ?
These are probably already used on the back of most of your computer stuff,
these have a much smaller profile than our 13a plug and are also commonly used in the music and mobile DJ biz, where we have loads of connections to put together and not much space to do it in!
You can get iec320 male - female cables to jump from a panel like this 12way one:
http://www.canny-well.com.tw/IEC 19.htm
.. and you can buy re-wireable iec male plugs from Maplin, RadioShack and most big DJ or music stores.

neds · 23 Mar 2009

I got two 8 way Belkin surge protectors coming off a double socket, I have also just bolted these to the side of my desk. Nice and neat. At work we normally always use IEC sockets for the engineers/IT kit.

ColJack · 23 Mar 2009

try a multiplug.. 4 cables into 1 plug, surge protected versions available..

http://www.jpgelectronics.com/products.asp?partno=429.809

TonyW2 · 24 Mar 2009

Thanks for useful info.
I had not considered the low voltage stuff and the space needed to connect the transformers nor had I come across those multi 4 plugs.
I am going for a few more sockets, as the wall is a stud wall, and so easy to extend the ring, combined with a couple of the multiplugs.

me01 · 26 Mar 2009

TonyW2 said:
Thanks for useful info.
I had not considered the low voltage stuff and the space needed to connect the transformers nor had I come across those multi 4 plugs.
I am going for a few more sockets, as the wall is a stud wall, and so easy to extend the ring, combined with a couple of the multiplugs.

Personally, I wouldn't use a multiplug.

If you ever need to replace any of the 12 items, and the replacement item does not have a compatible socket (e.g. IEC) then you will need to rewire the multiplug concerned.

I would prefer to keep the rat's nest that you already have with the extension leads, or add the 3 extra sockets but to plug in the extension leads into these sockets.

diynot

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Eliminate Rat's Nest

breezer

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