Kitchen - How do I stop a plug falling down a hole drilled in the cupboard shelf

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Kitchen - How do I stop a plug falling down a hole drilled in the cupboard shelf

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djtOtago

1158 posts

Uber Geek

#3400508 7-Aug-2025 08:53

Simple solution: String.
Or
Get a bit of hard board that's a bit larger that your hole, cut a 10mm slot about halfway into it and fix it over your hole with the cable in the slot.
Or
Just use a piece of string.

alisam

837 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3400802 7-Aug-2025 19:03

Goosey:

Another curious question is, why is there a shelf above the fridge cavity? Don’t you need some ventilation?

or is the ventilation behind that and the power point is being mounted in cupboard as opposed to being on the wallboard?

FYI - The ventilation is at the bottom of the fridge and a provided grill is installed in the 'kick board'. This is our second set of integrated fridge/freezers and both use/used a grill. Don't ask me how it works. Our first set lasted 35 years.

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alisam

837 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3400807 7-Aug-2025 19:12

mdf:

How big is the hole? You can get 60mm and 80mm grommets easily.

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/taskmaster-60mm-white-cable-duct-6-pack_p0728457

Imperial sizes you'd need to get online.

The hardest part of searching for a product such as mentioned in your post is terminology.

I have now come across grommet, cable outlet, cable duct ...

I think the hole is 60mm. What I cannot fathom is "do all these products have a pull-out section, so that the plug can fit inside the collar and then a cap to go on top (with cutout) to stop the plug and cable going down the centre. The products I have looked at don't mention a pull-out section.

Yoban

448 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3401008 8-Aug-2025 11:37

alisam:

The hardest part of searching for a product such as mentioned in your post is terminology.

I have now come across grommet, cable outlet, cable duct ...

I think the hole is 60mm. What I cannot fathom is "do all these products have a pull-out section, so that the plug can fit inside the collar and then a cap to go on top (with cutout) to stop the plug and cable going down the centre. The products I have looked at don't mention a pull-out section.

I have had to similar in the past have used one of these (google keywords: rubber fuel cap) https://wisproducts.co.nz/product/rubber-tank-caps/ and then with a craft knife sliced the top (north to south, east to west) to be able to push plug through. I see there is a 58mm available too.
Repco have a range too

Goosey

2839 posts

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Subscriber

#3401014 8-Aug-2025 12:04

The caps you speak of come in two pieces.

the cap ( removable, its like a half circle that swivels around) and then the collar as you say which fits thru the hole in the shelf.

so, you place the collar, pull thru the plug, then place on the half circle.

richms

28220 posts

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Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3401015 8-Aug-2025 12:10

There are usually 2 crecent moon pieces with a pivot in the middle so that you can close up the gap around the wires, but its not a perfect seal. If this is a food cupboard you might want a better seal than they can provide.

Richard rich.ms

wellygary

8346 posts

Uber Geek

#3401020 8-Aug-2025 12:20

An example is here

https://www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/DYNAMIX-60mm-Desk-Grommet-Grey-10-Pack?srsltid=AfmBOoqZite8VwbtyYQM3wzZT8sBed9S9ghmuHBs7cyicqL25me8DIPA

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mdf

3523 posts

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Trusted

#3401024 8-Aug-2025 12:53

alisam:

The hardest part of searching for a product such as mentioned in your post is terminology.

I have now come across grommet, cable outlet, cable duct ...

I think the hole is 60mm. What I cannot fathom is "do all these products have a pull-out section, so that the plug can fit inside the collar and then a cap to go on top (with cutout) to stop the plug and cable going down the centre. The products I have looked at don't mention a pull-out section.

I've only ever seen them in two parts. They are designed to take power cords and you couldn't get a power cord through without the central section being removable.

djtOtago

1158 posts

Uber Geek

#3401133 8-Aug-2025 16:43

alisam:

RunningMan:

When would this ever be a problem? Most likely never unplug it unless the appliance was being pulled out.

Because I have a generator and could easily unplug the appliances and run an extension lead to the generator.

Maybe you should just get a Generator input and changeover switch added to your house. Then you won't need to unplug anything.

richms

28220 posts

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#3401135 8-Aug-2025 16:45

djtOtago:

Maybe you should just get a Generator input and changeover switch added to your house. Then you won't need to unplug anything.

Huge cost if you want to have selective loads on it, second panel and more home runs of power circuits to places, all to cover the once every few years events that you can take care of with a couple of 25m extension cords and a window you can partially open securely.

Richard rich.ms

djtOtago

1158 posts

Uber Geek

#3401136 8-Aug-2025 16:50

Only need to be selective about what you turn on.

I can run the house on a 3kw Generator. Just don't run the washing machine and the dishwasher at the same time. Don't turn on every light in the house. Just a bit of discipline is required.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18671 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#3401139 8-Aug-2025 16:59

richms:

Huge cost if you want to have selective loads on it, second panel and more home runs of power circuits to places, all to cover the once every few years events that you can take care of with a couple of 25m extension cords and a window you can partially open securely.

I did this during the cyclone. Worked fine. Amazing what you can accomplish with a long enough extension cord.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

alisam

837 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3401153 8-Aug-2025 18:48

djtOtago:

Maybe you should just get a Generator input and changeover switch added to your house. Then you won't need to unplug anything.

I have a Briggs and Stratton P3000 Generator. I do know about a switch; I just don't see the need to pay for it to be done.

I have tested the generator using extension leads and power boards (or whatever they are called) and I can power enough appliances to keep me going.

MikeAqua

7787 posts

Uber Geek

#3401812 11-Aug-2025 16:43

Partly fill the hole, with some sort of removable slotted plug that the cord will pass through, but not the plug.

These guys probably have something suitable. Or maybe you know someone with a 3D printer.

Mike

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