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Electrical overkill

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5 Comments
by
crvz
, 01-06-2011 at 04:44 PM (2975 Views)
This definitely turned into more than I expected, but I'd love any input. With the location of my wall outlets/circuits, where all the hardware is, and my desire to distribute electrical load as much as possible, I built this power distribution panel. I will have power from three 20 amp circuits coming into this panel (though only 2 are active right now; the fourth 20A circuit is dedicated to the AC system). If you look at the top left of this panel, above it you'll see 2 black plugs going directly into the wall. That is how I'm supplying power from each of the circuits. All of the circuits are GFCI at the wall.



It looks a little cluttered right now, but that's because I have hardware plugged directly into this unit. In a few weeks, all that will be removed, and only the black and gray plugs that are dangling will be plugged into this panel. Those are all labeled as A1-A8 (for the first DC8), B1-B8 (for the second DC8), and C1-C7 (for the X-10 modules), as well as with the name of the piece of hardware I plan on plugging into the other end of the cord. Those cords are then run to other areas in the room. For example, the light panel;



On the bottom of this panel you can see 16 outlets. Those are each run directly from the power panel, through conduit, to the back of this panel. Only the 4 tunze plugs (the ones in use on the bottom right) on this panel also have a switch for quick shut off (all the switches you can see on the right part of the power distribution panel). You can see the 3 meanwell drivers on the top portion of the light panel. You may also notice my properly mounted Tunze controller (still looking for that mounting hardware...)

I also have some plugs hooked up directly under the stand. Here's half of them, the other half being on the opposite side of this opening.



In that image, you can clearly see the labels and how I'm trying to stay organized with all of it. For all the plugs, I'm using 14 gauge braided wire (I went with braided for it's flexibility after some others recommended doing so) and soldering all the ends of every wire to ensure that they don't splay (and try to short anything out). It's taking some amount of time, but after years of being not as organized as I would like, I'm certain I'll appreciate it when it's operational.

So, thoughts, questions, concerns? As mentioned, this is a bigger endeavor than I originally intended, and I'm relatively confident in its execution, but I'm not an electrician by trade (some may argue I'm too smart for my own good at times) and only have certifications in mobile electronics (mostly DC systems) and electrical engineering, so I'm open to your input!

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Updated 01-07-2011 at 01:59 AM by melev

Categories
‎ Electrical

Comments

  1. RED's Avatar
    I am a guy who thinks he has plenty of power as long as there is a open spot in a power strip... so my opinion is worthless, but OMG, this looks great!
  2. Midnight's Avatar
    Crvz.......omg.......well I would have to see it in person to actually figure out what is really going on there. your pictures could be either not big enough or not narrow enough field of view I hate squinting. but it sounds and looks like you have thought of most things. I do low voltage electronics as well so 110/220 is more like fourth nature to me.
  3. melev's Avatar
    I love the detail you went to. The upper panel with the lighting stuff seems to be offset from the wall 4" to 5" away. What is behind the board besides wires? Your rocker switches on the lower panel are nice, giving you easy access to flip things on and off at will. Very similar to the DJ switches many use, but more DIY of course.

    It might be nice to have a full sheet of acrylic in front of that main panel, hinged off once side with a cut out where the Aqua Controller is. That way nothing can spray the power center with water accidentally, but if you have to get in there, you open it up. The AC3 Pro (right?) is the one thing you might need to handle often. A sliding panel or small door over the series of switches would be another handy option.
  4. crvz's Avatar
    Good thoughts, Mark. There is nothing behind either of the panels besides wiring. I just offset them in order to tuck wires back there and make it look a little cleaner (though, let's be honest, it's a right mess behind the panel... even though they open so I can get behind them, there are a lot of wires). I've used those DJ power switches in the past, but since I want to stick switches between the controller and the piece of hardware, those rockers were the way to go (example; my skimmer is controlled by the DC8, but I can kill power to the skimmer with a switch without killing power to the DC8).

    The controller there is just the AC3 (a bit of a relic now in that blue cover), but I do have an Apex on hand that I will be installing in short order. I like the idea of the acrylic, I'll have to think about that. It'll probably go into the long list of "future work" (which currently includes, in priority order, moving the frag tank, auto water change, new shelf for AC system (if I don't upgrade to a mini-split AC), and a species tank). Once I move the frag tank, there won't be any highly credible failures that would allow for splashing on the panel, but the protection would be nice all the same.

    And thanks for the other comments as well, Midnight and Red.
  5. melev's Avatar
    Definitely well thought out.