prowla Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 I've put some things into a 4U 19" rack and at the moment I've got a mains 4-way extension in the rack with its trailing lead running out with a 13A plug on it, which is a bit scruffy. I'd really like to have a connector panel on the back to plug things into and I have a 1U panel and MIDI & jack sockets for it and am looking for a suitable mains socket to complete it. I can then close off the back of the unit with a filler panel, to make it self-contained with three connectors to plug mains/MIDI/audio into. To do that I want to put an IEC (320/kettle) mains socket there, but they all seem to be open-backed with solder tabs for connecting the inner-side wires to (ie. intended for enclosed equipment), so I'd need to do extra work to make the inside side safe. What I'd really like is a M-F coupler which is chassis mounted. Is there such a thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whizzzy Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Can't say that I've ever come across the exact thing that you are after but you can get insulating boots for the rear of IEC sockets - [url="http://uk.farnell.com/mckee-hagborg-connectors/dip-iec6l-bk/insulation-boot-iec-black/dp/427330?mckv=8y38WpcI_dc|pcrid|78108488349|&gross_price=true&CATCI=pla-74724723907&CAAGID=20220781389&CMP=KNC-GUK-GEN-SHOPPING-MCKEE_HAGBORG_CONNECTORS&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-oDzgMD-1QIV7Z3tCh0kZg7kEAYYASABEgKv3_D_BwE&DM_PersistentCookieCreated=true&CAWELAID=120173390001362953"]Link[/url] If you fit one of those and secure it in place would that work for you? As an added precaution I would buy some thin sleeving and fit it over the individual live, neutral and earth wires where they connect to the tags. Heat-shrink sleeving would be ideal for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Two things that you should consider before "sealing" off your rack case. 1. Airflow. many rack units even if they don't have fans or heat sinks rely on the design of the rack case to direct the airflow over them to keep cool. Blanking off the unused rack slots might prevent this. At the very least consider vented blanking panels rather than plain ones. 2. No matter how well you think you've got everything fitted and secured, eventually things will work loose, and an open U or two can be invaluable when trying to find out exactly what has come undone when one or more items in your rack suddenly stop working for no apparent reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Powercon is a much better option than IEC for racks... just don't lose the power cord for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 If you want a "filler panel" get the mesh type - not the closed off type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 [quote name='whizzzy' timestamp='1504080700' post='3362477'] Can't say that I've ever come across the exact thing that you are after but you can get insulating boots for the rear of IEC sockets - [url="http://uk.farnell.com/mckee-hagborg-connectors/dip-iec6l-bk/insulation-boot-iec-black/dp/427330?mckv=8y38WpcI_dc|pcrid|78108488349|&gross_price=true&CATCI=pla-74724723907&CAAGID=20220781389&CMP=KNC-GUK-GEN-SHOPPING-MCKEE_HAGBORG_CONNECTORS&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-oDzgMD-1QIV7Z3tCh0kZg7kEAYYASABEgKv3_D_BwE&DM_PersistentCookieCreated=true&CAWELAID=120173390001362953"]Link[/url] If you fit one of those and secure it in place would that work for you? As an added precaution I would buy some thin sleeving and fit it over the individual live, neutral and earth wires where they connect to the tags. Heat-shrink sleeving would be ideal for this. [/quote] Thanks - that could be handy as a plan-B! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1504110428' post='3362767'] Two things that you should consider before "sealing" off your rack case. 1. Airflow. many rack units even if they don't have fans or heat sinks rely on the design of the rack case to direct the airflow over them to keep cool. Blanking off the unused rack slots might prevent this. At the very least consider vented blanking panels rather than plain ones. 2. No matter how well you think you've got everything fitted and secured, eventually things will work loose, and an open U or two can be invaluable when trying to find out exactly what has come undone when one or more items in your rack suddenly stop working for no apparent reason. [/quote] Thanks - yes, it would be a vented panel. And yes again, a blank panel is easily unscrewed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1504118224' post='3362842'] If you want a "filler panel" get the mesh type - not the closed off type. [/quote] Yes - for sure! (Actually, the panel I have for mounting sockets has pre-drilled holes right across.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 [quote name='prowla' timestamp='1504306053' post='3364084'] And yes again, a blank panel is easily unscrewed. [/quote] Yes it is, but it's not so easily unscrewed mid-set which IME is when all the serious problems that require quick access to a rack occur. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 +1 for Powercon. Rubber boot on the back into a plastic enclosure mounted inside the rack. Use block terminals inside to split the power, cable glands with flying leads out to the IEC inlet of your kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adethefade Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Or use a gland and just have a short trailing IEC inlet on the end. They're enclosed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonteee Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Another one for Powercon here. Much safer IMO than a chassis mount kettle-type IEC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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