How difficult to replace 2 way socket with 4 way

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902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2524894 17-Jul-2020 18:08

If you are looking for a power board, then one of my favourite things is a 5 way board with remote control. I got mine for $28 from TradeMe, but JayCar lists the same model but is currently out of stock. I use mine in the garage to control dust extraction, a vacuum and compressor, but it would be a cool thing to have in a lad's bedroom.

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/5-way-remote-controlled-mains-power-board/p/MS6154

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

FPR

176 posts

Master Geek

#2525352 18-Jul-2020 22:19

richms:

openmedia:

Whats the issue with Delta and similar brands vs PDL / HPM as there is a huge price difference at retail.

HPM excel series has been trash and I would never use them again, switch dollys had a history of breaking and HPM seem to have had many occasions with bad plastics going brittle even in indoor direct sunlight. Their other ones I havent used because they're IMO ugly AF, as is the PDL iconics.

Deta have their act together and sparkies just hate on them because they sell retail to people doing DIY, price isnt that low on deta - it is if you are looking compared to counter priced PDL at a wholesaler, but for trade price there isnt much in it compared to clipsal or pdl at a wholesaler. Again, HPM is off the list because of a history of crap plastics.

I have to agree with this. We had a sparky do some work and would only use PDL. Every double plug that he put in has the on/off switch broke.

I have replaced with the Delta and never had a problem since.

Daynger

435 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2525953 20-Jul-2020 11:04

FPR:

I have to agree with this. We had a sparky do some work and would only use PDL. Every double plug that he put in has the on/off switch broke.

I have replaced with the Delta and never had a problem since.

I have used PDL 600 series for 20+ years and very rarely have had any failures.

Occasionally you get a burnt out switch mech or power point switch due to overloading and there was one time they had a batch with corroded terminal screws that were replaced but other than that they are solid.

Im not a fan of the iconic range for the looks and the matte cover plates that get grubby very quickly, but i do like how the modules lock in, its better than the 600 series which are a million times better than HPM excel were as they clicked in from the rear and could be punched into the wall cavity if pushed on.

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2528263 24-Jul-2020 16:03

This topic has gained my attention.

We are in the process of building a solid workbench on braked casters so that it can be moved into the centre of the garage away from under the garage window and the "General Purpose" double power point. We want to install a quad power board under the bench top overhang which will be powered from a recessed male Inlet Socket for which we will plug our heavy duty extension lead into from the "General Purpose" double power point by the garage window.

We would also like to add a horizontal flush quad power outlet under the existing flush "General Purpose" double vertical power point. The quad we like is: Deta 4 Individually Switched Sockets With 3.1A Dual USB Outlets because it has decent spacing between the sockets. We would feed the appropriate 1.5mm cable from the vertical socket to the horizontal socket which will be mounted flush approximately 100mm (4') underneath the vertical socket.

There is, I THINK, a problem with the RCD loadings. Off the one RCD C20 we have: (note: this was a 2000 build)

1 x garage double power point for washer, dryer & chest freezer
1 x garage double power point general purpose - which I want to add the quad power point
1 x garage door
1 x Kitchen fridge
1 x kitchen extractor
1 x kitchen double power point
1 x bathroom double power point
1 x 2nd bedroom double power point

We have also just purchased a Tool Shed 2000 watt Saw Table and we also have various other electrical DIY tools. We are a bit concerned with the loads we might be placing on the wiring and RCD. We have two fridges and during winter quite often have the washer and dryer going all at the same time all of the same circuit.

Please any opinions, problems & suggestions, all welcome.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

richms

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#2528272 24-Jul-2020 16:23

FineWine:

We are in the process of building a solid workbench on braked casters so that it can be moved into the centre of the garage away from under the garage window and the "General Purpose" double power point. We want to install a quad power board under the bench top overhang which will be powered from a recessed male Inlet Socket for which we will plug our heavy duty extension lead into from the "General Purpose" double power point by the garage window.

We would also like to add a horizontal flush quad power outlet under the existing flush "General Purpose" double vertical power point. The quad we like is: Deta 4 Individually Switched Sockets With 3.1A Dual USB Outlets because it has decent spacing between the sockets. We would feed the appropriate 1.5mm cable from the vertical socket to the horizontal socket which will be mounted flush approximately 100mm (4') underneath the vertical socket.

There is, I THINK, a problem with the RCD loadings. Off the one RCD C20 we have: (note: this was a 2000 build)

1 x garage double power point for washer, dryer & chest freezer
1 x garage double power point general purpose - which I want to add the quad power point
1 x garage door
1 x Kitchen fridge
1 x kitchen extractor
1 x kitchen double power point
1 x bathroom double power point
1 x 2nd bedroom double power point

We have also just purchased a Tool Shed 2000 watt Saw Table and we also have various other electrical DIY tools. We are a bit concerned with the loads we might be placing on the wiring and RCD. We have two fridges and during winter quite often have the washer and dryer going all at the same time all of the same circuit.

Please any opinions, problems & suggestions, all welcome.

Adding the quad below the other one will be extending the circuit so need a sparky to do it. And not 1.5mm cable.

Sounds like you need another circuit anyway with both kitchen and laundy on it.

When I asked my tame sparky about proper power on a mobile piece of furniture I was basically told no to any fixed wiring stuff on it. You often see americans putting standard outlets on furniture and then a plug and stuff and that is apparantly not a done thing here because of reasons I have forgotten now. Sticking with portable powerstrips and extension cords is all good tho.

The one workable solution that was acceptable was some soft wiring like used in offices, but I would have to had had a specific circuit put in to the special purpose wall plate and that was just too much $$ so the workbenches all just have a 4 way on them which came with a 5m cable from bunnings. Couple of things to wind them around when not used and all is quite neat and doesnt get runover.

I have 3 benches made from the 900mm long 900mm high bunnings "1000kg" shelves with wheels screwed onto the bottom of the legs, and then a larger ply top ontop of the top shelf that extends outside of the size of the top. I'll grab some pics tonight but they are all in the loungeroom at the moment prepping for garage renevations that will probably never happen soon - thanks covid.

Richard rich.ms

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2528288 24-Jul-2020 17:05

richms:
Adding the quad below the other one will be extending the circuit so need a sparky to do it. And not 1.5mm cable.

I had a faint suspicion that would be the case. Oh well. The original idea was just a quad power board.

richms:When I asked my tame sparky about proper power on a mobile piece of furniture I was basically told no to any fixed wiring stuff on it. You often see Americans putting standard outlets on furniture and then a plug and stuff and that is apparently not a done thing here because of reasons I have forgotten now. Sticking with portable power strips and extension cords is all good though.

So what about all these Home Entertainment lounge suits with motors, LEDs, power points & USB points?

With affixing a quad power board to the bench and leaving the cord and plug dangling is not ideal hence chopping of the supplied plug and attaching it to a mounted recessed male inlet socket.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

gregmcc

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#2528290 24-Jul-2020 17:07

@finewine, is the quad socket going to be mounted on this mobile bench with some sort of trailing lead that plugs in to another socket?

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FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2528313 24-Jul-2020 17:35

gregmcc:

@finewine, is the quad socket going to be mounted on this mobile bench with some sort of trailing lead that plugs in to another socket?

Quad power board, probably mounted in the middle under the bench top over hang on the long side of the bench. Then chop off the 3 pin plug and rewired into a recessed mounted male inlet socket. https://www.pdl.co.nz/products/detail?CatNo=PDL56SO310LE&tab-document-1=0 mounted at the end of the work bench.

EDIT: wrong link corrected

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

gregmcc

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#2528317 24-Jul-2020 17:49

FineWine:

gregmcc:

@finewine, is the quad socket going to be mounted on this mobile bench with some sort of trailing lead that plugs in to another socket?

Quad power board, probably mounted in the middle under the bench top over hang on the long side of the bench. Then chop off the 3 pin plug and rewired into a recessed mounted male inlet socket. https://www.pdl.co.nz/products/detail?CatNo=PDL56SO310LE&tab-document-1=0 mounted at the end of the work bench.

I'm guessing from your answer (although it's not 100% clear to me) that the socket(s) will be mounted on the mobile bench, this been the case it is classed as an "appliance" and not fixed wiring. Consider using flexible wiring as this will be less prone to breaking due to vibration from the power tools.

Find an electrician and have a chat about what you are doing as the cord will have to be anchored by a suitable device to stop it been ripped out if tripped over, or the bench moved beyond the length of cable before been unplugged.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2528319 24-Jul-2020 17:58

You also need a breaker that will trip if you plug more than 10A of load into the socket. Our electrical rules assume equipment is built to not draw more than the rating of the plug, so a multibox needs protection to enforce this.

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2528383 24-Jul-2020 19:00

SomeoneSomewhere:

You also need a breaker that will trip if you plug more than 10A of load into the socket. Our electrical rules assume equipment is built to not draw more than the rating of the plug, so a multibox needs protection to enforce this.

We would not be running more than one electrical tool at the same time but would have power tools plugged in and ready to go; e.g. power drill, power sander, power jig saw. One person can only use one tool at a time. We plan on having a shelf just under the top where these will rest when not in use during the job.

The power board we are looking at is : HPM White 4 Outlet Surge Protected Powerboard where we will chop the supplied male plug off and rewire into a recessed mounted male inlet socket. https://www.pdl.co.nz/products/detail?CatNo=PDL56SO310LE&tab-document-1=0. The industrial extension lead or any of our power tools are always plugged into one of these: https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-single-outlet-safety-switch_p7050029 The lead between the board and the plug would be securely attached to the underside of the bench at multiple points.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2528416 24-Jul-2020 21:41

You might not; someone will. Or you'll have a drill charger, or a space heater, or the new electric car, or sell the bench to someone else...

Using a multibox and replacing the plug is fine, as long as you're not connecting anything else to that appliance inlet. It has a breaker built in. RCDs, however, do not provide overcurrent protection.*

"I'm not going to do that" is not recognised as a valid safety method unless you ensure only trained personnel have access to the space, manage key control, and you have written up procedures about it.

* Exception RCBOs, which are found only in a DIN rail mount format that look like switchboard MCBs.

Bung

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#2528438 25-Jul-2020 06:02

FineWine:
We would not be running more than one electrical tool at the same time but would have power tools plugged in and ready to go; e.g. power drill, power sander, power jig saw. One person can only use one tool at a time. We plan on having a shelf just under the top where these will rest when not in use during the job.

Make your connection strip easy to access. I always pull plugs out whenever changing bits or blades.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2528512 25-Jul-2020 09:59

A nice big E-stop with suitable high-power contacts is also a good option for that.

Daynger

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Ultimate Geek

#2528583 25-Jul-2020 14:15

FineWine:

This topic has gained my attention.

We are in the process of building a solid workbench on braked casters so that it can be moved into the centre of the garage away from under the garage window and the "General Purpose" double power point. We want to install a quad power board under the bench top overhang which will be powered from a recessed male Inlet Socket for which we will plug our heavy duty extension lead into from the "General Purpose" double power point by the garage window.

We would also like to add a horizontal flush quad power outlet under the existing flush "General Purpose" double vertical power point. The quad we like is: Deta 4 Individually Switched Sockets With 3.1A Dual USB Outlets because it has decent spacing between the sockets. We would feed the appropriate 1.5mm cable from the vertical socket to the horizontal socket which will be mounted flush approximately 100mm (4') underneath the vertical socket.

There is, I THINK, a problem with the RCD loadings. Off the one RCD C20 we have: (note: this was a 2000 build)

1 x garage double power point for washer, dryer & chest freezer
1 x garage double power point general purpose - which I want to add the quad power point
1 x garage door
1 x Kitchen fridge
1 x kitchen extractor
1 x kitchen double power point
1 x bathroom double power point
1 x 2nd bedroom double power point

We have also just purchased a Tool Shed 2000 watt Saw Table and we also have various other electrical DIY tools. We are a bit concerned with the loads we might be placing on the wiring and RCD. We have two fridges and during winter quite often have the washer and dryer going all at the same time all of the same circuit.

Please any opinions, problems & suggestions, all welcome.

Thats quite the loaded circuit there.

We always keep the laundry and kitchen on separate circuits (at least two in the kitchen) to stop overloading and nuisance tripping.

Jug = 10A load

Toaster = 10A load

Washer = 4-6A load

Dryer = 8-10A load

Having toast and tea for breakfast while doing a bit of washing will be marginal at best.

Workbench tools often have an inrush current that will trip circuits that are even moderately loaded up also, so starting a saw while the jug is on could also trip the circuit.

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