DIY ac power outlet

[kevinr]

I found build plans at audio tweaks diy for a AC power outlet that looked like something better than the moulded plug copper rail power strip I had been using for my hi fi rack . http://www.audiotweaks.com/diy/ac_outletc/page01.htm
When I went to the big box places the part recommended in the article wasn't available so I got some other materials with the assistance of the friendly associate in the HD Electrical Dept. I used 3 conductor 12 gauge copper wire with a heavy duty plug end into an outdoor grey plastic 3/4" box and isolated ground computer receptacles. I'll probably add a dedicated line for that wall outlet in the near future . It was just a double receptacle box in the beginning but then I still had some components on standby most of the day for nada . I added a second box with a threaded nipple and included a heavy duty 20 amp on off switch . I dropped plans to make a plastic base or wood base as it is clunky enough as is . I'll just add some screwed on rubber feet for the corners and it's ready to go . As I'm not an electrician or engineer I'm open to comments that might be improvements on this project.

[Ludo]

I found build plans at audio tweaks diy for a AC power outlet that looked like something better than the moulded plug copper rail power strip I had been using for my hi fi rack . http://www.audiotweaks.com/diy/ac_outletc/page01.htm
When I went to the big box places the part recommended in the article wasn't available so I got some other materials with the assistance of the friendly associate in the HD Electrical Dept. I used 3 conductor 12 gauge copper wire with a heavy duty plug end into an outdoor grey plastic 3/4" box and isolated ground computer receptacles. I'll probably add a dedicated line for that wall outlet in the near future . It was just a double receptacle box in the beginning but then I still had some components on standby most of the day for nada . I added a second box with a threaded nipple and included a heavy duty 20 amp on off switch . I dropped plans to make a plastic base or wood base as it is clunky enough as is . I'll just add some screwed on rubber feet for the corners and it's ready to go . As I'm not an electrician or engineer I'm open to comments that might be improvements on this project.

Nice work.

Lets see whether this topic reignites the typical flame wars over the audibility of power cords and such. The guy in the link makes a lot of claims for something as straight forward as heavy gauge wire and high current handling receptacles.

"Right off the bat, this DIY AC Outlet Center made minced meat out of the standard extension strip. Quite apparent was the increase in dynamics, slam and detail. Music now played with greater sense of ease and openness. It was as if it was freed from a noisy cage. The highs were sweater and better defined, the mid had better articulation while the bass had more weight and grunt to it. The overall sound had more spring, it was simply more alive and easier to listen to."

[kevinr]

Actually I didn't focus on that comment on the sound much . I just don't care for molded plug ends and generic power strips . There has to be something a little better for not much more dollars.
Right ?
The Audio Xpress magazine that PE kindly included as a free sample in one of orders this year has an article on upgrade mods to a CD player . The author worked on several mods at no small expense of time/effort and basically couldn't find much difference at all . But , he did change the power cord to a heavy duty one and said it was $10 that was well spent .
Our house is fifty years old and I upgraded all the outlets and switches as it just seemed like a good idea . I used heavy duty receptacles in the outlets that have microwaves, tv's and other energy hogs that weren't around in the fifties. Insulated the plates while I was at it with those neat foam cutouts.
I bought the Monster Cable Home Theater power strip that PE and RS sells and was surprised how much the tv screen cleared up . Probably the same thing could be done with some other A/V gadget that's cheaper but this is what I grabbed . It supposedly has MC proprietary electronics for cleaning line hash up . It works anyway .

[bolland83]

First of all, NICE JOB! It's pretty lookin! Looks quite heavy duty, like something I'd plug power tools into.

Second, an electricians rant...

Probably the best thing you could do is add a dedicated, 20amp circuit, with an isolated ground. Use 12 gauge or larger, COPPER wire and nice heavy duty 20amp receptacles, commercial or industrial grade is about the most you really need, hospital grade is way overkill. This will basically be the best power supply you can get short of hooking up right off the street transformer (NOT RECOMMENDED, AND IN MOST PLACES ILLEGAL!) So there you go, you have a dedicated line with plenty of power available, and no noise from that darn fridge compressor motor! If you need more outlets, just use a bigger box. (I went with a three gang, giving me six places to plug stuff into, all with one neat and clean cover plate)

The next thing to do would be install a transient voltage surge suppressor, mounted inside/to the side of your breaker/fuse panel. This will basically cover everything wired into that panel. Most of the time that's usually the whole house. So when the power company blows something up, you don't need to worry about all your stuff blowing up, and you don't need to rely on molded plastic power strip protectors. This may sound way overkill, but really it can be done pretty cheap if you know an electrician. And as I said before, it protects the whole house, great added protection if you have a few computers and things like that.

[billfitzmaurice]

"Right off the bat, this DIY AC Outlet Center made minced meat out of the standard extension strip. Quite apparent was the increase in dynamics, slam and detail. Music now played with greater sense of ease and openness. It was as if it was freed from a noisy cage. The highs were sweater and better defined, the mid had better articulation while the bass had more weight and grunt to it. The overall sound had more spring, it was simply more alive and easier to listen to."

[kevinr]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions bolland83 . A good friend of mine is an electrician and he will probably be putting an isolated line in as per your suggestion this year . I'll look into the whole house panel surge protection you mention and talk to him about adding it .
The strain relief on the box is a threaded insert with rubber bushing and locking nut from HD Electrical . I primed and spray painted the gray box brown to match the furniture color scheme .