Vertical row of sockets - any ideas, suppliers?

snipped-for-privacy@isbd.co.uk ( snipped-for-privacy@isbd.co.uk) wibbled on Friday 04 March 2011

Sounds like you want a 19" rack type PDU (power distribution unit) 13A bar.

You can get these with a vertical row of 13A sockets angled at about 45 degrees. If you search for "vertical PDU" that should bring up a few options.

Although often sold for 19" racks, most generally have an "ear" on each end that you could use to screw it to the panel. Running that off a plugtop or FCU would be perfectly acceptable.

Cheers

Tim

You thinking of something like this?

What's wrong with a 4-way extension lead, stood on end? Or does that require too much lateral thinking?

Yes, though we'd like something slightly less utilitarian if possible, and without a meter built in as the above appear to have.

It's almost what we want except that the sockets would be sideways.

You can't have them not be sideways, the flex would foul the plug below, unless you space the sockets far apart. If you want to have them like this, with spacings, just use a vertical row of single surface pattresses, with every other one being a blanking plate, so 4 sockets, 3 blanks.

NT

This is exactly why I said (see above) "... it may well make sense for the sockets to be angled so that the cables don't interfere with the plug below." The 19" rack socket strips that some posters have suggested do exactly this, the sockets are angled at 45 degrees.

So, what I really want, is a 3-way or 4-way socket trailing socket strip with the sockets angled at (about) 45 degrees.

Tabby ( snipped-for-privacy@care2.com) wibbled on Friday 04 March 2011 15:03:

Well, you can have them at 45 degree like I said earlier...

snipped-for-privacy@isbd.co.uk ( snipped-for-privacy@isbd.co.uk) wibbled on Friday 04 March 2011

Try RS, Farnell and Rapid - sure I have seen some lab grade bars (not for rac mounting) that have 45 degree sockets - and availble with 3-4 ways.

If you don't like the rather industrial look of what's generally=20 available, build your own with these...

Mount them at 45=B0 all the same way or alternately, whatever takes your=20 fancy.

--=20 Skipweasel - never knowingly understood.

You wanted them angled so that the cables don't interfere with the plugs below. These *are* (at 90 degrees) and should thus satisfy your requirement.

Now that's almost better than our original idea! :-)

I could actually mount the outlets into the side of the cupboard that makes up one angle of the corner where we want these sockets. It's easy enough to make a box inside the cupboard to cover the wiring and Bob's your proverbial.

Note the max panel tickness (2.5mm for that one), or you won't be able to push plugs right in. They are intended for mounting on steel trunking and the like.

Yes, sorry, when I said "sheet material" I sort of meant like a bit of suitable trunking or plastic skirtingboard/piping cover etc.

You're right - if it's going in the side of a cabinet it'll have to have an inset of thinner material to actually take the sockets. OR, you could get clever with a router.

they do exist, think it was either screwfix or tesco I last saw some

NT

It's fairly well hidden, I think the best approach would be to cut a section out of the side of the cupboard and put a thin panel of some sort over the hole in order to mount the sockets. I could use a router but it would be a bit awkward as the cupboard is already fixed under a worktop. (The sockets are to be under the worktop which overhangs the cupboard at that end)