Mike Gordon on sun 13 may 01
Erin,
I teach in a school with outlets hanging from the ceiling. Let me tell
you they are a pain in the ass! I'm constantly banging into cords,
elbowing them out of the way to help a student. Put them on the floor
with a 6" riser of wood and pipe. The custodian can easily clean the
floor and mop. You will be happier. I've come soooo close to ripping
them out. Ahh the joy of a re--model. Spent hrs. with the architects ---
in one ear and out the other. Mike Gordon
Roger Korn on sun 13 may 01
Hi Erin,
The best set-up I've seen is the one at Northern Arizona University.
They hang power cords with four outlets from the ceiling, dangling to
about four feet from the floor. Each power cord serves up to four
wheels. This way, the outlets are not exposed to water, flying slop,
etc. And since the outlets are not in a "wet location", no GFI
protection is required. I'd install a GFI outlet in each cluster of four
anyway, and "daisy chain" the other three outlets from it. An
electrician will know what I'm talking about. Parts cost (GFI outlet,
three "regular" outlets, metal box, 12/2 w/G SG cable, ceiling junction
box) should be under $30 per drop.
DISCLAIMER: I'm not a licensed electrician, just a retired electrical
engineer who'se wired a lot of studios.
Drop me an email off-list if you need more info.
Roger Korn
McKay Creek Ceramics
Box 436
North Plains, OR 97133
rkorn@europa.com
Erin Hayes wrote:
...
Subject: Electrical outlet question
Hi All!
I am working with our facilities and maintenance guys about
the kinds of
outlets and beakers we need in the throwing area of the clay
studio. Right
now we have floor plugs that have caused any number of stubbed
toes, trips
and awkward moments in the studio. They're also not GFCI
outlets, either, so
I spend my days in fear that some student will accidentally
fling their slop
bucket into one of the outlets.
So far this is our solution - I hope those of you with
electrical experience
and better studios than mine can help me think about whether
this is the
best solution: we're thinking of power poles between each set
of four
wheels, with GFCI breakers at the box. Our electrician said
that was more
expensive, but thought it would work better. ...
Thanks for any comments. You can email me at ehayes@bmi.net
Erin. (looking forward to the first class I have where I don't
have to do
the "watch-out-for-the-outlets" spiel.)
Logan Oplinger on tue 15 may 01
Hi Erin,
At the university where I have signed up for classes they have their whee=
ls set along both sides of a long, low wooden bench. The wheel plugs are=
connected to a heavy duty, multi-outlet extension cord which runs off th=
e floor on the underside of the bench. The extension cord is connected t=
o a 15 amp counter top outlet. No splashing of connections, no dangling =
cords, no in-the-way posts or risers to trip over. The bench is also use=
d for storing smaller wooden bats, trimming chucks, etc.
(O) (O) (O) (O)
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] << wheels
----------------------------|
~~~~~~~0000~~~~~~~~0000 | << bench w/ extension
----------------------------| cord underneath.
[ ] [ ] [ ]
(O) (O) (O) << wheels
Logan Oplinger
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