Page 213 - Electromechanical Devices and Components Illustrated Sourcebook

Chapter 10 Wire and Conductors 175

adaptable to all appliances and equipment that use that volt- Bent Pipe Handle
age. Cords used for 240-VAC service are generally used to
Rubber Grip
provide a little more reach for major appliances, such as win-
dow air conditioners. Twist-lock cords are common in the
Tee
shop environment to reduce accidental disconnections and Lock Nut
Pipe Nipple
reduce theft. Plywood Disk
Plug strips, as shown in Figure 10-16, are tucked in Bolt
behind nearly every computer and stereo system in the coun-
try. These handy assemblies provide a convenient method to Crank
connect several low-current appliances to a central location.
Bent Pipe
They are typically supplied with a main power switch and Base
line fuse. Carriage Bolt
Spacer
Pipe Cap

Power Switch Handy Box
Fuse Receptacle
Cover Plate
AC Outputs
Figure 10-18 Shop Built Extension Cord Reel
Cabinet

drop to a remote work site. The disks are made from ordinary
plywood and the frame is constructed from water pipe, a tee,
and cap. The reel spacers are cut from small water or gas
Mounting Tab
pipe while the fasteners are hardware store carriage bolts.
The output is a handy box that is screwed to the outside
AC Input
disk.
Figure 10-16 Plug Strip
Welding cables are also difficult to keep coiled and stored.
A simple four post cable reel can be constructed as shown in
Figure 10-19. The mount is an ordinary pipe flange and the
In the shop environment overhead extension cord spools, axle is a nipple with screw on cap.
as shown in Figure 10-17, are extremely handy devices. They
provide convenient access to electrical power, keep the shop
floor free from tripping hazards, and are easily retracted when
not in use.
Extension cords can be very difficult to keep rolled up. To this Bent Steel Bar
end, an extension cord reel is a very useful tool. Figure 10-18 Hub Plates
shows a simple extension cord reel intended to provide a power Pipe Cap
Spacer
Pipe Flange
Pipe Nipple

Overhead Crank Handle
Overhead
Outlet Figure 10-19 Four Post Cord Reel for Heavy Duty Cable
Twist-Lock
Connector Reel

Wiring Harness
Stop Ball
Power Inside of almost all electromechanical equipment, there exists
Connect a need for custom cable or wiring harnesses. Wiring harnesses
Cable
are simply cables that are made up with wires, gauges, shield-
ing, and terminations specific to the equipment that they
serve. A perfect example of wiring harness is found under the
hood of any modern automobile. Wiring harnesses are made
Receptacle
up in advance and even a complex wiring system can be easily
Figure 10-17 Overhead, Self Retracting Extension Cord Reel installed in just few minutes.