[thefiend1]

Hey guys!

Im not an electrician - but I am familiar with some, basic wiring. Im writing here because im not sure how to exactly go about doing what im looking to do.

I am building a workstation/desk with a wood top, and 2 1/2" steel square tubing as the legs/structure - and I would like to build an outlet into the beam going across the table underneath so that I can conceal all the wiring inside the tubes. I could just stick an extension cord in there and be done with it - but id like to cut precise holes so that an outlet plug thing can fit in it. I hope you can understand what im talking about

My question is, what would be the best way of going about wiring 3 outlets into this beam?


Thanks!!!

 

[mpoulton]

You could use snap-in receptacles, as are commonly installed in furniture and appliances:
http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-1374-1W-Snap-In-Receptacle-Grounding/dp/B003AUK944

Nor you could cut a rectangular hole the size of a Decora duplex receptacle and install that:
http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-5325-...=1358194448&sr=1-2&keywords=decora+receptacle

It's a rectangular hole either way. With a snap-in, there are no fasteners required and it takes up very little space. You do not need access to the back side for installation. With a Decora, you get a duplex receptacle, but you need screws to hold it in place, and it will almost certainly require access to the back unless you are very creative.

 

[thefiend1]

Oooo, that first link looks promising! If I were going to put 3 outlets in, would I wire each one together as 1 and then attach a power plug cable to that?

Thanks again!

 

[chitownken]

Check out http://www.mockett.com/furniture-hardware/ They make outlets, etc. specifically for office furniture.

I have used their items, and the quality has always been top notch.

 

[thefiend1]

Yea I thought about going that route until I saw the prices. That stuff is outrageously expensive for some odd-unknown reason... plus for what I want to do, this wont work.

 

[mpoulton]

You would wire all the receptacles together to a power cord. I'd probably buy a good quality extension cord of the appropriate length and cut the end off of it. Since the desk is metal, you will need to connect the frame to the ground wire for safety.

 

[thefiend1]

Why would I need to attach the ground wire of the extension cable to the steel leg? Doesnt the ground wire usually just go into the wall with the rest? (3 prong plug).

The entire table wont be steel, just the legs.

 

[jbfan]

You would need to bond the metal parts so if the wires shorted, the breaker would trip.
You don't want the metal legs to become hot in case of a short.

 

[mpoulton]

Why would I need to attach the ground wire of the extension cable to the steel leg? Doesnt the ground wire usually just go into the wall with the rest? (3 prong plug).

The entire table wont be steel, just the legs.

By putting receptacles in your furniture, you are making an electrical appliance. Metal parts of electrical equipment need to be bonded to ground for safety. Otherwise scraped insulation or a loose connection could electrify the metal table parts. That would be bad. Grounding the metal parts ensures that the breaker trips if there is a fault.