I’ve got a bunch of starter-set power packs I’m using to power accessories and also test track loops. None of them have ON/OFF switches built in. I was wondering if there are any power strips available that have ON/OFF switches for each outlet? Eons ago I bought a surge protector for the computer that had six or seven individual ON/OFF switches, but it had a flat, rectangular footprint that sat under the monitor.
Check out a computer store. That’s the only place I’ve seen those. Your 1 week too late. I just threw one out I would have sent you for free.
You could modify or just build one. Simply interupt the power (black) don’t sw the neutral. If you want something even simpler, add a lamp cord switch to each power cord.
Other than the under monitor unit that you described, I’ve never seen(or sold) anything with individual switches. Time to build your own. Just make sure that you check the current draw before you go and purchase panel mount switches.
Ah, that’s too bad. And building my own is not something that I’m quite comfortable enough with!
I had another thought after posting the original post. Home Depot or K-Mart carries simple ON/OFF switches that go between the outlet and the power plug; they’re not cheap ($4-ish each), but I could buy a number of them and plug them into the power strip and there’s my makeshift individual ON/OFF control. Not cheap, but better (for my peace of mind, at least!) than try jury-rigging something on my own…
Hyun-Look around first. Like I said I JUST THREW ONE OUT, so I know they’re made. The most common ones I’ve seen are 2 plugs wide by 3 plugs long giving you 6 plugs with 6 individual switches. Large stores like CompUSA are your best bet.
Go to a hardware store and look for (or ask for - that’s OK to do in a hardware store) IN-LINE switches. These go into the middle of a lamp cord. You simply separate the two conductors for a couple of inches, snip one of the wires and fit the in-line switch over the wires. There are prongs which pierce the insulation and a barrier to keep the old gap from re-connecting. They’re about an inch long and should cost about 79 cents.
These are small, low-wattage switches, but probably fine for what you’re doing.
loathar and MisterBeasley–
Thank you for the suggestions. I’d still prefer to find/buy something that’s premade rather than trusting my non-existent electrical skills (what I lack in skills, I more than make up in fears!), but the in-line switches don’t sound that bad…
I think your best bet is the lamp cord switch. Very cheap and easy to fit. Open the halves, separate the wires cut one and they are self piercing for the connection when the halves are screwed back together. These work on the lamp cord power supply 16-18g. A round jacketed cord will need a different switch.
Something like this might work:http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-DJ-19-RACK-MOUNT-POWER-STRIP-SWITCH-PANEL-LIGHTS_W0QQitemZ270137675704QQihZ017QQcategoryZ23792QQcmdZViewItem
It is similar to the type that fits uder the monitor, but it is designed to be rack mounted so it should be easy to mount in your benchwork somewhere.
how many do you want?? http://www.mitre10.co.nz/preview.cfm?mid=345&dept=12&subdept=106&item=106063&sid=1&rid=26&orderby=1
Oh bummer wrong sockets for you.
These are as common as air over here I don’t know why you guys wouldn’t have them??
Ken.
I bought some switches at Wal-Mart that plug into an outlet and have a female plug on the other side of the switch. I use them so I can cut my soldering iron off and still be plugged in. Also, alot of my strutural lighting is powered from the same strip and gives an easy way ot turn the lights on and off. Some things I would rather not plug in hot so I can plug it in with the switch off and be OK.
I have seen advertised exactly what you are asking for - individually switched outlets on a power strip - but for the life of me I could not tell you where I saw it advertised nor where you might go to find one; this was not a ‘surge protector’ as used for computers; my recommendation would be to try some sort of a major electronics supplier.
There is one thing you might consider trying; get yourself some of these GFI outlets with ‘push-to-test’ button; when you want to interrupt one particular outlet just depress the ‘push-to-test’ button and you’ll sure-as-aitch interrupt it. I am almost sure they make these as individual plug-in units to provide GFI protection for older circuitry.
Found some!! http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=914023
http://catalog.graybar.com/servlet/BugsEye e-catalog ID 89020694
Ken.
Ken,
That looks just like what I need, and the price is right, too. I just ordered one from Amazon.com (it was $1 cheaper + free shipping). Thank you very much! The only concern is that I couldn’t find any mention of UL-tested or not, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough!
Thank you again and thanks to everyone who responded!
To close this thread: I received the surge protector last week, and it’s working out great. It IS UL-listed. It’s got a master ON/OFF switch that controls all seven outlets, and then six of those seven have their own ON/OFF switches. And all the ON/OFF switches light up when ON, which makes it easy to see what’s powered and what’s not.
I can’t vouch for the surge protection properties, but it’s working out great for controlling power to various MRR equipment. So good that I went ahead and bought two more for future needs. Thanks again, Ken, for finding it!
But nobody makes anything like that! You’ll have to build it![:D][:-,]