switched power board

[Franc Zabkar]

I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection. However, the sockets must
be spaced far enough apart to allow plug packs to be inserted
side-by-side. I've looked at the Clipsal and HPM range, and tried
various electrical wholesalers. The closest I've seen is Jaycar's
surge-protected MS-4022, but the price is $65.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[eltan]

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up



"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:q3l8p0pk3a8jfj8vp625hj9j739vtr3htb@4ax.com...

I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection. However, the sockets must
be spaced far enough apart to allow plug packs to be inserted
side-by-side. I've looked at the Clipsal and HPM range, and tried
various electrical wholesalers. The closest I've seen is Jaycar's
surge-protected MS-4022, but the price is $65.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Rheilly Phoull]

"eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> wrote in message
news:cn1rsf$2hm9$1@otis.netspace.net.au...

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up



"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:q3l8p0pk3a8jfj8vp625hj9j739vtr3htb@4ax.com...
I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection. However, the sockets must
be spaced far enough apart to allow plug packs to be inserted
side-by-side. I've looked at the Clipsal and HPM range, and tried
various electrical wholesalers. The closest I've seen is Jaycar's
surge-protected MS-4022, but the price is $65.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.


Not practical, at least an hour, =$60 plus parts.

--
Regards ........... Rheilly Phoull

 

[eltan]

okay, forgot about the high labor cost, what about from overseas such as
M'sia or S'pore?


"Rheilly Phoull" <Rheilly@bigpong.com> wrote in message
news:2vjvp7F2f1iuhU1@uni-berlin.de...

"eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> wrote in message
news:cn1rsf$2hm9$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up



"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:q3l8p0pk3a8jfj8vp625hj9j739vtr3htb@4ax.com...
I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection. However, the sockets must
be spaced far enough apart to allow plug packs to be inserted
side-by-side. I've looked at the Clipsal and HPM range, and tried
various electrical wholesalers. The closest I've seen is Jaycar's
surge-protected MS-4022, but the price is $65.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.


Not practical, at least an hour, =$60 plus parts.

--
Regards ........... Rheilly Phoull

 

[Franc Zabkar]

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do my
own wiring.

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:q3l8p0pk3a8jfj8vp625hj9j739vtr3htb@4ax.com...
I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection. However, the sockets must
be spaced far enough apart to allow plug packs to be inserted
side-by-side. I've looked at the Clipsal and HPM range, and tried
various electrical wholesalers. The closest I've seen is Jaycar's
surge-protected MS-4022, but the price is $65.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Franc Zabkar"

I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection. However, the sockets must
be spaced far enough apart to allow plug packs to be inserted
side-by-side.

** Recessed sockets ?????

Those will not accept plug packs at all.




............. Phil

 

[eltan]

Sorry, cant help u with that, but u could do a Chinaman trick, ie, get the
specifications to make yourself one.


"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:2h3ap0hb4g5512j6r2q9i4bcnocev4206h@4ax.com...

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do my
own wiring.

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:q3l8p0pk3a8jfj8vp625hj9j739vtr3htb@4ax.com...
I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection. However, the sockets must
be spaced far enough apart to allow plug packs to be inserted
side-by-side. I've looked at the Clipsal and HPM range, and tried
various electrical wholesalers. The closest I've seen is Jaycar's
surge-protected MS-4022, but the price is $65.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.



- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Bushy]

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:2h3ap0hb4g5512j6r2q9i4bcnocev4206h@4ax.com...

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do my
own wiring.

C'mon Franc,
do you really need to ask this?

You go down to your local electrical shop or the electrical department of
your local supermarket and buy a few power points and a box to screw them
onto. Remember to wire up the active to the active, the neutral to the
neutral, and the earth to the earth. If you want to save money you could
mount them to your test bench and you won't have to buy the box, or you
could go to any second hand building supplies outlet or the shop section of
your local dump and get second hand power points for very little money.

Just like buying cheap sweatshop underpants with very little risk of
disease!

Hope this helps,
Peter

Do you know why university graduates wash their hands after going to the
toilet?
It's because they still don't know not to piss on their hands!

 

[bin]

This seemingly sucky question might have something to do with the recessed
sockets...... but I suggest Frank that if you cant find them your local
electrical dick sure as hell can't

bindy

"Bushy" <please@reply.to.group> wrote in message
news:cn3ld3$2gg$1@bunyip.cc.uq.edu.au...

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:2h3ap0hb4g5512j6r2q9i4bcnocev4206h@4ax.com...
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do my
own wiring.


C'mon Franc,
do you really need to ask this?

You go down to your local electrical shop or the electrical department of
your local supermarket and buy a few power points and a box to screw them
onto. Remember to wire up the active to the active, the neutral to the
neutral, and the earth to the earth. If you want to save money you could
mount them to your test bench and you won't have to buy the box, or you
could go to any second hand building supplies outlet or the shop section
of
your local dump and get second hand power points for very little money.

Just like buying cheap sweatshop underpants with very little risk of
disease!

Hope this helps,
Peter

Do you know why university graduates wash their hands after going to the
toilet?
It's because they still don't know not to piss on their hands!

 

[bin]

What about just wiring up a bunch of recessed line sockets (like the end of
extension cords) using a cheap cable junction box, ugly as hell, but
hey.........

and the answer is BigW


"bin" <bin@bin.com> wrote in message news:4195729d_1@news.iprimus.com.au...

This seemingly sucky question might have something to do with the recessed
sockets...... but I suggest Frank that if you cant find them your local
electrical dick sure as hell can't

bindy

"Bushy" <please@reply.to.group> wrote in message
news:cn3ld3$2gg$1@bunyip.cc.uq.edu.au...
"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:2h3ap0hb4g5512j6r2q9i4bcnocev4206h@4ax.com...
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do my
own wiring.


C'mon Franc,
do you really need to ask this?

You go down to your local electrical shop or the electrical department
of
your local supermarket and buy a few power points and a box to screw
them
onto. Remember to wire up the active to the active, the neutral to the
neutral, and the earth to the earth. If you want to save money you could
mount them to your test bench and you won't have to buy the box, or you
could go to any second hand building supplies outlet or the shop section
of
your local dump and get second hand power points for very little money.

Just like buying cheap sweatshop underpants with very little risk of
disease!

Hope this helps,
Peter

Do you know why university graduates wash their hands after going to the
toilet?
It's because they still don't know not to piss on their hands!

 

[Franc Zabkar]

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 07:19:11 +1100, "Phil Allison"
<philallison@tpg.com.au> put finger to keyboard and composed:

"Franc Zabkar"

I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection. However, the sockets must
be spaced far enough apart to allow plug packs to be inserted
side-by-side.



** Recessed sockets ?????

Those will not accept plug packs at all.

See
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS4022&CATID=&keywords=MS%2D4022&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=

The product description for the MS-4022 states that "this filter[ed
power board] features recessed mains safety sockets that are perfectly
suited to plug pack adaptors."

All my adapters have a round plug section which is 40mm in dia and 8mm
deep.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Franc Zabkar"
"Phil Allison"

I'm trying to find a reasonably priced ($20-$30) 6-way or 4-way wall
mountable power board with recessed sockets and individual switches. I
don't require filtering or surge protection.


** Recessed sockets ?????

Those will not accept plug packs at all.


See ....

The product description for the MS-4022 states that "this filter[ed
power board] features recessed mains safety sockets that are perfectly
suited to plug pack adaptors."

All my adapters have a round plug section which is 40mm in dia and 8mm
deep.

** OK - it seems many of the the recent ones have a 40mm round
protrusion.

I have a large Bosch one with a 41 x 31 mm rectangular protrusion (!) and
many others with none - all non compatible with that unit.




................ Phil

 

[Franc Zabkar]

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 10:49:17 +1000, "Bushy" <please@reply.to.group>
put finger to keyboard and composed:

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:2h3ap0hb4g5512j6r2q9i4bcnocev4206h@4ax.com...
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do my
own wiring.


C'mon Franc,
do you really need to ask this?

Yes and no.

You go down to your local electrical shop or the electrical department of
your local supermarket and buy a few power points and a box to screw them
onto.

A double GPO is out of the question because it accommodates only one
plug pack. That leaves six single GPOs costing $6 each from WES, or
about $7 retail. That's already $36-42. Then add a panel mount 10A
circuit breaker for $10???, a mains plug for $3-4, some mains flex,
and a 72cm long box for $??? Its pretty obvious that this is not a
viable solution.

Remember to wire up the active to the active, the neutral to the
neutral, and the earth to the earth.

I knew that one day my OTEN Electrical Wiring Refresher course would
come in handy. Thanks for the tip anyway.

If you want to save money you could
mount them to your test bench and you won't have to buy the box, or you
could go to any second hand building supplies outlet or the shop section of
your local dump and get second hand power points for very little money.

I don't just want the one unit, and it's not just for me. I encounter
many businesses and SOHOs which have a computer area which is a rat's
nest of cables, power boards, and double adapters. A typical office
would have a PC, scanner, printer, modem, cordless phone, mobile phone
charger, digital camera adapter, laptop, fax, etc. It seems to me that
an obvious need is not being catered for.

Anyway, it looks like I'll have to settle for the Jaycar unit, but I
resent having to pay $65 for a "surge protected" board which probably
has nothing more than three MOVs and a mains filter cap. WES have
essentially the same thing minus switches and wide sockets (SP570) for
$21.50. They also have a standard 6-way recessed unswitched board for
$6. I'm using a 20 year old Mains Muffler which is not ideal, but is
still streets ahead of anything available today.

As for my criteria, firstly I'm looking for a board that can mount on
the wall or can be screwed to the rear of a desk. This would make it
accessible, it would be less susceptible to dust, it would not become
an OH&S issue, it would look tidy, and there would be less risk of
dislodging a plug pack. Recessed sockets would be a safety plus, but
the main reason I like them is that vertically mounted plug packs
would be less likely to work loose. I don't need surge protection
because I'm not convinced that it is effective in the majority of
cases. That leaves the requirement for widely spaced sockets. As it is
now, most power boards are not designed for these, which means that a
6-way board can have up to three unusable sockets. It seems that
design engineers just haven't caught on. <shrug>

Just like buying cheap sweatshop underpants with very little risk of
disease!

Hope this helps,
Peter

Do you know why university graduates wash their hands after going to the
toilet?

For the same reason that little boys do - because nasty germs live in
the nether regions.

It's because they still don't know not to piss on their hands!

Maybe you have a skill that I don't have, but try as I might I still
find it hard to consistently hit the target without holding my dick.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Franc Zabkar]

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 12:37:25 +1000, "bin" <bin@bin.com> put finger to
keyboard and composed:

What about just wiring up a bunch of recessed line sockets (like the end of
extension cords) using a cheap cable junction box, ugly as hell, but
hey.........

I don't wish to sacrifice practicality for cost. And it's not just
about recessed sockets.

I'm trying to avoid the sorts of rat's nests that I see in offices
(where it may become an OH&S issue) and in people's homes. Ask
yourself, how do you connect 5 plug packs to a single GPO using
regular power boards? One answer is to use two 6-way boards with the
second plugged into the first, and then populate alternate sockets.
This leaves you with no spare sockets, ie 7 out of 12 are unusable. My
"sucky" question was, are there any power boards with 6 usable
individually switched sockets that don't cost 2 to 3 times as much as
they should?

and the answer is BigW

"bin" <bin@bin.com> wrote in message news:4195729d_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
This seemingly sucky question might have something to do with the recessed
sockets...... but I suggest Frank that if you cant find them your local
electrical dick sure as hell can't

bindy

All the electrical wholesalers I spoke to said many people ask for the
kind of power board that I want. I've since seen a $40 HPM unit in an
online store that's almost there, but not quite.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Craig Hart]

My "sucky" question was, are there any power boards with 6 usable
individually switched sockets that don't cost 2 to 3 times as much as
they should?

No.

I've seen a power board which is 6 way and has the last 2 sockets spaced at
a wider than usual pitch at the local coles store. It is not individually
switched and has the usual el-cheapo mechanical overcurrent cutout. This is
as close as it gets to useful.

 

[eltan]

Hi, I remember seeing u can get a surge protector separately from the
powerboard from Rokby or Jaycar.

Why not just get a powerboard for around $10, and get the main power surge
with line filter for around $20?

see Jaycar 2003 catalogue on p132.

BTW I think MagnetMart is slightly cheaper for powerboard etc...


"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:fdlcp0h87cpqdu881hbsurn072ua6i54fb@4ax.com...

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 10:49:17 +1000, "Bushy" <please@reply.to.group
put finger to keyboard and composed:

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:2h3ap0hb4g5512j6r2q9i4bcnocev4206h@4ax.com...
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do my
own wiring.


C'mon Franc,
do you really need to ask this?

Yes and no.

You go down to your local electrical shop or the electrical department of
your local supermarket and buy a few power points and a box to screw them
onto.

A double GPO is out of the question because it accommodates only one
plug pack. That leaves six single GPOs costing $6 each from WES, or
about $7 retail. That's already $36-42. Then add a panel mount 10A
circuit breaker for $10???, a mains plug for $3-4, some mains flex,
and a 72cm long box for $??? Its pretty obvious that this is not a
viable solution.

Remember to wire up the active to the active, the neutral to the
neutral, and the earth to the earth.

I knew that one day my OTEN Electrical Wiring Refresher course would
come in handy. Thanks for the tip anyway.

If you want to save money you could
mount them to your test bench and you won't have to buy the box, or you
could go to any second hand building supplies outlet or the shop section
of
your local dump and get second hand power points for very little money.

I don't just want the one unit, and it's not just for me. I encounter
many businesses and SOHOs which have a computer area which is a rat's
nest of cables, power boards, and double adapters. A typical office
would have a PC, scanner, printer, modem, cordless phone, mobile phone
charger, digital camera adapter, laptop, fax, etc. It seems to me that
an obvious need is not being catered for.

Anyway, it looks like I'll have to settle for the Jaycar unit, but I
resent having to pay $65 for a "surge protected" board which probably
has nothing more than three MOVs and a mains filter cap. WES have
essentially the same thing minus switches and wide sockets (SP570) for
$21.50. They also have a standard 6-way recessed unswitched board for
$6. I'm using a 20 year old Mains Muffler which is not ideal, but is
still streets ahead of anything available today.

As for my criteria, firstly I'm looking for a board that can mount on
the wall or can be screwed to the rear of a desk. This would make it
accessible, it would be less susceptible to dust, it would not become
an OH&S issue, it would look tidy, and there would be less risk of
dislodging a plug pack. Recessed sockets would be a safety plus, but
the main reason I like them is that vertically mounted plug packs
would be less likely to work loose. I don't need surge protection
because I'm not convinced that it is effective in the majority of
cases. That leaves the requirement for widely spaced sockets. As it is
now, most power boards are not designed for these, which means that a
6-way board can have up to three unusable sockets. It seems that
design engineers just haven't caught on. <shrug

Just like buying cheap sweatshop underpants with very little risk of
disease!

Hope this helps,
Peter

Do you know why university graduates wash their hands after going to the
toilet?

For the same reason that little boys do - because nasty germs live in
the nether regions.

It's because they still don't know not to piss on their hands!

Maybe you have a skill that I don't have, but try as I might I still
find it hard to consistently hit the target without holding my dick.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[eltan]

Saw it in an American electronics supplier catalogue about "powerboard plug
extender", ie a plug connected to the powerboard, and a socket to connect
plugpacks.

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:f2ncp05fh66795k2rd75pacfk2qicfaknj@4ax.com...

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 12:37:25 +1000, "bin" <bin@bin.com> put finger to
keyboard and composed:

What about just wiring up a bunch of recessed line sockets (like the end
of
extension cords) using a cheap cable junction box, ugly as hell, but
hey.........

I don't wish to sacrifice practicality for cost. And it's not just
about recessed sockets.

I'm trying to avoid the sorts of rat's nests that I see in offices
(where it may become an OH&S issue) and in people's homes. Ask
yourself, how do you connect 5 plug packs to a single GPO using
regular power boards? One answer is to use two 6-way boards with the
second plugged into the first, and then populate alternate sockets.
This leaves you with no spare sockets, ie 7 out of 12 are unusable. My
"sucky" question was, are there any power boards with 6 usable
individually switched sockets that don't cost 2 to 3 times as much as
they should?

and the answer is BigW

"bin" <bin@bin.com> wrote in message
news:4195729d_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
This seemingly sucky question might have something to do with the
recessed
sockets...... but I suggest Frank that if you cant find them your local
electrical dick sure as hell can't

bindy

All the electrical wholesalers I spoke to said many people ask for the
kind of power board that I want. I've since seen a $40 HPM unit in an
online store that's almost there, but not quite.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Craig Hart]

My local bunnings do a regular 6-way power board with overcurrent protection
for $6.

Hard to beat that for value.

"eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> wrote in message
news:cn9dlo$2dfm$1@otis.netspace.net.au...

Hi, I remember seeing u can get a surge protector separately from the
powerboard from Rokby or Jaycar.

Why not just get a powerboard for around $10, and get the main power surge
with line filter for around $20?

see Jaycar 2003 catalogue on p132.

BTW I think MagnetMart is slightly cheaper for powerboard etc...


"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:fdlcp0h87cpqdu881hbsurn072ua6i54fb@4ax.com...
On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 10:49:17 +1000, "Bushy" <please@reply.to.group
put finger to keyboard and composed:

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:2h3ap0hb4g5512j6r2q9i4bcnocev4206h@4ax.com...
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do my
own wiring.


C'mon Franc,
do you really need to ask this?

Yes and no.

You go down to your local electrical shop or the electrical department
of
your local supermarket and buy a few power points and a box to screw
them
onto.

A double GPO is out of the question because it accommodates only one
plug pack. That leaves six single GPOs costing $6 each from WES, or
about $7 retail. That's already $36-42. Then add a panel mount 10A
circuit breaker for $10???, a mains plug for $3-4, some mains flex,
and a 72cm long box for $??? Its pretty obvious that this is not a
viable solution.

Remember to wire up the active to the active, the neutral to the
neutral, and the earth to the earth.

I knew that one day my OTEN Electrical Wiring Refresher course would
come in handy. Thanks for the tip anyway.

If you want to save money you could
mount them to your test bench and you won't have to buy the box, or you
could go to any second hand building supplies outlet or the shop
section
of
your local dump and get second hand power points for very little money.

I don't just want the one unit, and it's not just for me. I encounter
many businesses and SOHOs which have a computer area which is a rat's
nest of cables, power boards, and double adapters. A typical office
would have a PC, scanner, printer, modem, cordless phone, mobile phone
charger, digital camera adapter, laptop, fax, etc. It seems to me that
an obvious need is not being catered for.

Anyway, it looks like I'll have to settle for the Jaycar unit, but I
resent having to pay $65 for a "surge protected" board which probably
has nothing more than three MOVs and a mains filter cap. WES have
essentially the same thing minus switches and wide sockets (SP570) for
$21.50. They also have a standard 6-way recessed unswitched board for
$6. I'm using a 20 year old Mains Muffler which is not ideal, but is
still streets ahead of anything available today.

As for my criteria, firstly I'm looking for a board that can mount on
the wall or can be screwed to the rear of a desk. This would make it
accessible, it would be less susceptible to dust, it would not become
an OH&S issue, it would look tidy, and there would be less risk of
dislodging a plug pack. Recessed sockets would be a safety plus, but
the main reason I like them is that vertically mounted plug packs
would be less likely to work loose. I don't need surge protection
because I'm not convinced that it is effective in the majority of
cases. That leaves the requirement for widely spaced sockets. As it is
now, most power boards are not designed for these, which means that a
6-way board can have up to three unusable sockets. It seems that
design engineers just haven't caught on. <shrug

Just like buying cheap sweatshop underpants with very little risk of
disease!

Hope this helps,
Peter

Do you know why university graduates wash their hands after going to
the
toilet?

For the same reason that little boys do - because nasty germs live in
the nether regions.

It's because they still don't know not to piss on their hands!

Maybe you have a skill that I don't have, but try as I might I still
find it hard to consistently hit the target without holding my dick.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Ross Herbert]

On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 07:24:50 +1100, Franc Zabkar
<fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote:

All the electrical wholesalers I spoke to said many people ask for the
kind of power board that I want. I've since seen a $40 HPM unit in an
online store that's almost there, but not quite.


- Franc Zabkar

Franc,

The answer is that as yet there is no domestic style power board which
can accommodate side-by-side plug packs, as you have now discovered.
The usual power board is designed simply to accommodate side-by-side
power cord plugs only, - most likely because the designers never
anticipated that just about every small appliance or system used in
today's environment runs off a plug pack.

When you think about it, the reason that many manufacturers choose to
run their small products from a plug pack is due to the cost incurred
in obtaining electrical approvals for a new design. Because somebody
else (the plug pack manufacturer) has already paid for this approval
then the manufacturer of the new product which uses the plug pack,
doesn't have to bother with all the problems associated with that
aspect and so they can get their product on to the market sooner and
with lower costs involved.

If cost is not a problem then have you considered the powerboards used
in telecom equipment cabinets. Expensive I know, but you can get them
up to 20 outlets.

 

[eltan]

yes, but if u r lucky, they might throw in a 3m extension cord for total $9

"Craig Hart" <no@spam.thanks> wrote in message
news:XkXld.36722$K7.9370@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

My local bunnings do a regular 6-way power board with overcurrent
protection
for $6.

Hard to beat that for value.

"eltan" <eltan@start.com.au> wrote in message
news:cn9dlo$2dfm$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
Hi, I remember seeing u can get a surge protector separately from the
powerboard from Rokby or Jaycar.

Why not just get a powerboard for around $10, and get the main power
surge
with line filter for around $20?

see Jaycar 2003 catalogue on p132.

BTW I think MagnetMart is slightly cheaper for powerboard etc...


"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:fdlcp0h87cpqdu881hbsurn072ua6i54fb@4ax.com...
On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 10:49:17 +1000, "Bushy" <please@reply.to.group
put finger to keyboard and composed:

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@optussnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:2h3ap0hb4g5512j6r2q9i4bcnocev4206h@4ax.com...
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:22:39 +1100, "eltan" <eltan@start.com.au
put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Get all the required components and get an electrician to wire it
up

Which components and where do I buy them?

BTW, I'm both a technician and an electrical engineer, so I can do
my
own wiring.


C'mon Franc,
do you really need to ask this?

Yes and no.

You go down to your local electrical shop or the electrical
department
of
your local supermarket and buy a few power points and a box to screw
them
onto.

A double GPO is out of the question because it accommodates only one
plug pack. That leaves six single GPOs costing $6 each from WES, or
about $7 retail. That's already $36-42. Then add a panel mount 10A
circuit breaker for $10???, a mains plug for $3-4, some mains flex,
and a 72cm long box for $??? Its pretty obvious that this is not a
viable solution.

Remember to wire up the active to the active, the neutral to the
neutral, and the earth to the earth.

I knew that one day my OTEN Electrical Wiring Refresher course would
come in handy. Thanks for the tip anyway.

If you want to save money you could
mount them to your test bench and you won't have to buy the box, or
you
could go to any second hand building supplies outlet or the shop
section
of
your local dump and get second hand power points for very little
money.

I don't just want the one unit, and it's not just for me. I encounter
many businesses and SOHOs which have a computer area which is a rat's
nest of cables, power boards, and double adapters. A typical office
would have a PC, scanner, printer, modem, cordless phone, mobile phone
charger, digital camera adapter, laptop, fax, etc. It seems to me that
an obvious need is not being catered for.

Anyway, it looks like I'll have to settle for the Jaycar unit, but I
resent having to pay $65 for a "surge protected" board which probably
has nothing more than three MOVs and a mains filter cap. WES have
essentially the same thing minus switches and wide sockets (SP570) for
$21.50. They also have a standard 6-way recessed unswitched board for
$6. I'm using a 20 year old Mains Muffler which is not ideal, but is
still streets ahead of anything available today.

As for my criteria, firstly I'm looking for a board that can mount on
the wall or can be screwed to the rear of a desk. This would make it
accessible, it would be less susceptible to dust, it would not become
an OH&S issue, it would look tidy, and there would be less risk of
dislodging a plug pack. Recessed sockets would be a safety plus, but
the main reason I like them is that vertically mounted plug packs
would be less likely to work loose. I don't need surge protection
because I'm not convinced that it is effective in the majority of
cases. That leaves the requirement for widely spaced sockets. As it is
now, most power boards are not designed for these, which means that a
6-way board can have up to three unusable sockets. It seems that
design engineers just haven't caught on. <shrug

Just like buying cheap sweatshop underpants with very little risk of
disease!

Hope this helps,
Peter

Do you know why university graduates wash their hands after going to
the
toilet?

For the same reason that little boys do - because nasty germs live in
the nether regions.

It's because they still don't know not to piss on their hands!

Maybe you have a skill that I don't have, but try as I might I still
find it hard to consistently hit the target without holding my dick.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.