power strip sockets? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: djacobow
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 03:53:35 pm
content: Hi, I'm working on a smart power strip / power meter project, and I need NEMA 5-15R power outlets to complete the design.Optimally, I'd like something like the innards of a commodity power strip, but where I can drive the hots individually. However, I don't even know how to search for this without being inundated with actual complete power strips?I know I could make this out of 2 duplex outlets, but I feel that looks quite lame.On mouser I can find items like this, which is basically what I want, but the sockets are IEC, not NEMA. There are 1x NEMAs, but not 2x, 4x, AFAICT.Regards,Dave J

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 04:04:33 pm
content: in the background, I'm also working on something like this. my need is to have a cpu (arduino, in my typical case) store persistent state of each of the ac outlets, give them 'port names' and let the user turn them on/off or query their status by name. this would be a network-aware box so the box would be named (somehow) and the ports would be sub-entities on that.you may consider starting with an existing box. I found this to be (sometimes) cheap on ebay and I bought one with the plan to strip it down and use it for my own needs.http://www.ebay.com/itm/BAYTECH-DS4-RPC-DATA-SWITCH-POWER-CONTROL-DS71-MD3-DS74-DAC-/221429331944I found one for $30 (can't find them that cheap right now, though) and I planned to use it for power control but I needed a 1u rack chassis for other things so I never did the power control stuff on THIS box. but I do plan to.it has relays there and much of the wiring. you could talk to its cpu (clumsy, though) or just rip its cpu out and put your own in.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 04:37:38 pm
content: Like these?http://www.mouser.com/Connectors/Power-Connectors/_/N-axip3Zscv7?Keyword=ac+outlet+nema&FS=True

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 06:57:18 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on May 05, 2014, 04:37:38 pmIf those Schurter receptacles are anything like the AMP version (whichMcMaster sells), the quick connect option requires a pretty specific size terminal to fit properly. Unfortunately I can't tell you what the particular dimensions were, but I do recall having to scrounge through my bin of assorted terminals to find ones that didn't have a shoulder on the edges of the tab. Ones with a should stuck out uncomfortably far from the back of the housing.

author: LincKraker
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 07:01:11 pm
content: I put together a simple smart strip using an old UPS. it has 6 outlets controlled by an atmega328 and an enc28j60 module. I wrote a simple bash script to control it and set keyboard short cuts so i could control the lights in my computer room.the UPS used those power sockets and was big enough to fit all of the electronics inside once the battery and board were removed. i used the UPS's built in ethernet jack connected to the enc28j60 so it still looks original. I picked up the old UPS from goodwill for 10 bucks.

author: djacobow
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 08:10:41 pm
content: I've looked at the receptacles on Mouser and none is quite right, but I could use a couple of the two-by adapters. I also have a bunch of the one-by sockets from previous projects. I like the snap-in variety.Using an old case would work, but aesthetics matter to me a bit. My board is designed for one of the smaller Hammond boxes.Board is designed to take either an Atmel 328 and NRF24l01 or a Sparkcore. The later makes it really easy to make http/rest style apps. Board also has per socket current measurement, so I can tell if plugged devices are actually on.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 08:28:23 pm
content: per socket 'mgmt' is pretty cool. that sounds nice.I bought 2 of the mouser ac sockets; one had smaller quick-tabs (forget the name they use for those) and one had larger size, but both seemed standard (blue or pink color for the mating part).

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 08:35:47 pm
content: The Schurter 4300 series is NEMA 5-15R and snap in, and comes with either idc or 0.187" quick connect tabs. (0.187 quick connects are a standard size, though not as common as 0.25").

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 09:05:56 pm
content: You could also use a couple rectangular duplex receptacles such asthis(available at a much lower price from your local home improvement store). Would be much easier shape to cut out of your panel than the typical duplex profile and more tolerant of size errors and thick panels than the snap-in type of receptacle. Duplex receptacles typically have breakable jumper tabs on the line an neutral terminals to permit separate wiring, so you can still wire them individually as you like.

author: Kappes Buur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 06:28:47 am
content: Check out the Leviton DECORA serieshttp://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/SectionDisplay.jsp?section=41815

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 03:58:35 pm
content: 15 Amp, 125 Volt, NEMA 5-15R, 2P, 3W, Snap-In Receptacleis usually the type used in a power strip.