Project: Running electricity into a safe

13471 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by MALCO.New.York, Jun 1, 2009

niceguymr

Discussion Starter · May 20, 2009

Great forum! First time poster here.

I've been searching far and wide for a multi outlet or power strip with a detachable cord. The purpose of the detachable cord is so that the the multi outlet or power strip can be placed inside the safe and the cord could be run through a small hole and out to the AC outlet.

(ETA: The purpose of having electricity in the safe is to provide interior lighting and a de-humidifier, possibly another small electrical appliance)

Having no luck finding something like this, I'm starting to realize that this might be better done as a 'DIY' project. That being said, I'm looking for some ideas and/or answers to some questions:

Should I just use your basic everyday power strip, cut it, run the wire through, and then just reconnect the wires?

or

Should I build an outlet box from scratch and if so, what exact parts/materials should I use? I'm a total newbie to this kind of stuff so I'd need to know very specifically what I need as I have no idea what a lot of stuff is called.

I'm leaning toward my first option (everyday power strip) being that it just seems so simple. I'd be curious to hear anyone's opinion on these ideas.

Thanks!

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gp_wa

· #2 · May 21, 2009

How big is the safe?

And what's the combination? It's important

Wildie

· #3 · May 21, 2009

gp_wa said:
How big is the safe?

And what's the combination? It's important

Iny money in thar? Thas silly, you mus want the lite, so's to count the money!

nap

· #4 · May 21, 2009

I've been searching far and wide for a multi outlet or power strip with a detachable cord. The purpose of the detachable cord is so that the the multi outlet or power strip can be placed inside the safe and the cord could be run through a small hole and out to the AC outlet.

not allowable per code.

why don't you just run power in to the safe just as if it were a room? You know, recep on the wall. Conduit for exposed wire. A switch for the light.

outlet for a security camera so when gp-wa comes over to see the safe (when you aren't there, of course)

Reactions: 1

niceguymr

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 21, 2009

nap said:
not allowable per code.

why don't you just run power in to the safe just as if it were a room? You know, recep on the wall. Conduit for exposed wire. A switch for the light.

outlet for a security camera so when gp-wa comes over to see the safe (when you aren't there, of course)

Thinking about doing that. Running power into the safe and having a 2 outlet 'box' to plug stuff into.

Speaking of light switches, I want to have the lights come on automatically when the door is opened, but not with a motion sensor, but a physical switch that is activated when the door opens. Any ideas on where I can find something like this?

nap

· #6 · May 21, 2009

sure.

something like this, which would be set into the door jamb and hidden

http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/door_jamb_switches_RLLD1885EDW.htm

or there are switches like this that are surface mounted:

http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/products/4908476/magnetic_contact.html

that last one is not 120 volt rated but I could not find what I was looking for but it is a similar style of switch.

gp_wa

· #7 · May 21, 2009

nap said:
outlet for a security camera so when gp-wa comes over to see the safe (when you aren't there, of course)

Thanks for the tip sucker, I'll wear a hockey mask, they'll never know it was me :thumbsup:

ponch37300

· #8 · May 21, 2009 (Edited)

Sorry, meant to post to different question!

niceguymr

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 21, 2009

2

UPDATE:
I decided to step up the idea a bit and instead of having a multi strip outlet just sitting in the safe, I thought it would look more 'professional' to actually have a wall outlet installed. So I picked up the following items:

14 gauge medium duty power cord, 9 ft long, with a plug already on one end and pre stripped (bare) on the other + 'On Wall' metal outlet box/kit

Here's the outlet kit out of the package (screws not pictured). This seems like it will come out very nicely when it's all done.

The funny thing is I don't even have my safe yet. It will be delivered next week, afterwhich, I will post pictures of this little project as I do it.

ETA: Can anyone tell me if there is any risk of electrical shock with the ground wire being bonnected to the box which will be screwed into the interior steel panel of the safe?

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nap

· #10 · May 21, 2009

actually, the ground wire connected to all metallic items is what makes them safe. The equipment ground conductor (EGC) is a unbroken path back to the panel and its purpose is to facilitate the breaker to trip if or when there is a short circuit.

niceguymr

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 21, 2009

I guess I'm going to need some sort of clamp around the wire that will keep it from being able to be pulled out of the outlet box. Maybe another clamp on the other side of the box too just to hold it in place extra well. Any electrical people here know what that's called so I know what to ask for?

niceguymr

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 29, 2009

4

Update

And here's the electrical work.

The extra slack that you see there just needs to be pulled out of the back of the safe.

I haven't gotten the lights yet but when I do, I will update.

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Scuba_Dave

· #13 · May 29, 2009

How big is the safe?
I was thinking a walk-in safe when you said dehumidifier

Gigs

· #14 · May 29, 2009

Yeah this looks like a portable* safe, in which case building codes wouldn't apply, just common sense and good engineering practices.

*or at least, movable.

niceguymr

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 30, 2009

Scuba_Dave said:
How big is the safe?
I was thinking a walk-in safe when you said dehumidifier

5' x 3' x 3'
1000 lbs and movable with the right equipment

Not really a 'walk in' safe, but you could certainly walk into it if you hunch over a little :jester:

jerryh3

· #16 · May 30, 2009

Goldenrod dehumidifier?

frenchelectrican

· #17 · May 31, 2009

niceguymr said:
And here's the electrical work.

The extra slack that you see there just needs to be pulled out of the back of the safe.

I haven't gotten the lights yet but when I do, I will update.

I hate to be harsh in here but you have wrong box for that useage due you have no cord clamp.

What if someone yank on the cord and it come apart you will have heckva a mess to deal with it.

If it was for moi .,, Just grab a simple handy box with NM clamp to hold the cord in proper way IMO it little stronger that way plus with the clamp you will really reduce the chance of get it damaged.

Merci,Marc

niceguymr

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 1, 2009

frenchelectrican said:
I hate to be harsh in here but you have wrong box for that useage due you have no cord clamp.

What if someone yank on the cord and it come apart you will have heckva a mess to deal with it.

If it was for moi .,, Just grab a simple handy box with NM clamp to hold the cord in proper way IMO it little stronger that way plus with the clamp you will really reduce the chance of get it damaged.

Merci,Marc

What is an "NM clamp"? I agree, there should be something preventing the cord from being yanked, but in all honesty, that will most likely never really happen.

MALCO.New.York

· #19 · Jun 1, 2009

niceguymr said:
What is an "NM clamp"? I agree, there should be something preventing the cord from being yanked, but in all honesty, that will most likely never really happen.

Yes!!! It is called a Knot!!!

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