UPS-backed wall outlet

[destrekor]

This is what I mean:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Extension-Cord-With-Built-in-Switch-Safe-Qu/

Is there anything like this that's actually pre-made? I'm not opposed to wiring something myself but for this I'd prefer if it was available retail. I will probably end up getting a very large UPS for my rack, and would like to include my TV on it via a 5-15R wall plug that is specifically then connected to the UPS via a 5-15P plug. Anything on this outlet would be powered by the UPS when there is no power, and the idea is my AV stack will also be on this UPS - that way I have full network and media so long as the cable plant has power, nice for emergencies or just not being bored lol.

I've got a project in mind, and part of it also starts with having a electrician buddy help wire up a 240V circuit, which will power the homelab but due to a potential UPS's size and capability, I could still connect the 120V plasma to it. Everything else would plug into the UPS via PDUs, pretty typical there (and surprisingly the majority of my equipment is capable of either voltage).

Thoughts?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

This is what I mean:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Extension-Cord-With-Built-in-Switch-Safe-Qu/

Is there anything like this that's actually pre-made? I'm not opposed to wiring something myself but for this I'd prefer if it was available retail. I will probably end up getting a very large UPS for my rack, and would like to include my TV on it via a 5-15R wall plug that is specifically then connected to the UPS via a 5-15P plug. Anything on this outlet would be powered by the UPS when there is no power, and the idea is my AV stack will also be on this UPS - that way I have full network and media so long as the cable plant has power, nice for emergencies or just not being bored lol.

I've got a project in mind, and part of it also starts with having a electrician buddy help wire up a 240V circuit, which will power the homelab but due to a potential UPS's size and capability, I could still connect the 120V plasma to it. Everything else would plug into the UPS via PDUs, pretty typical there (and surprisingly the majority of my equipment is capable of either voltage).

Thoughts?

Whole house UPS?

 

[Humpy]

What's the difference between that thing in the picture and a switched power strip?

 

[mindless1]

^ Yeah that or this is going to be DIY... at least all parts needed should be available at any larger hardware store.

 

[destrekor]

I just want it to be in the wall - that way all the wires that need to be exposed are connected directly to the wall.

Otherwise I already have that right now, a wall outlet, which has a surge strip plugged into it, and then everything else into that strip. I'll have this new setup where there's a single power cable that needs to connect to the wall, and then there's additional media cables that either pass through the wall or plug into wall plate connections.

 

[destrekor]

Whole house UPS?

Not whole house, but at 4-5 kVA it could power the homelab and AV stack with ease. The idea is that a soon-to-be expanded server/network rack setup will also have a beefy UPS, so I might as well power the rest of the basement electronics in case of emergency that doesn't involve flood/sewer backup (network rack and home theater are both in basement - divided between living and utility space). If the wet emergencies occur, well I'm SOL anyway, but plenty of power-out scenarios exist that don't involve a flooded basement. I'd be moving the AV stack from the living portion of the basement and technically into the utility room where all the other electronics reside, because the idea is an in-wall rack that's flush in the living space and everything is connected together in the utility room.

If I succeed with that, the only cords I'll have in the living space will be the TV power, HDMI, subwoofer power, subwoofer audio cable, and front three speaker cables. I'll have a multi-gang (probably triple) box for all those connections, but I want those 5-15R receptacles to physically connect to the UPS.

 

[Mike64]

I just want it to be in the wall - that way all the wires that need to be exposed are connected directly to the wall.

Must it literally be "in" the wall? This may be pointing out the obvious, but you could attach the power strip to the wall, with the UPS nearby but not immediately "in the way", if you're just/mainly looking to get rid of "clutter" on the floor or behind a desk or rack.

As a not-quite-tangent, I wonder if putting such a thing in the wall wouldn't involve a possibly unpleasant host of electrical code issues that a non-hard-wired UPS doesn't? Also, while a single source of UP might be inconvenient, it could also be mighty inconvenient, and expensive to deal with, if something goes wrong that the single source. Multiple smaller UPSes would spread out potential points of failure and allow for a certain degree of redundancy (though probably "manual" redundancy), among other things.

 

[mxnerd]

An UPS in the wall is a huge fire hazard! There is a battery inside that can catch fire!

I personally saw an UPS caught fire in a server room. Put it in a wall and someday it probably will burn down your house.

 

[destrekor]

An UPS in the wall is a huge fire hazard! There is a battery inside that can catch fire!

I personally saw an UPS caught fire in a server room. Put it in a wall and someday it probably will burn down your house.

No no no, I don't want a UPS in the wall, I just want what amounts to a two-outlet power distribution unit in the wall - like the picture in the OP. There's no battery there, just outlets wired into a cord.

 

[Humpy]

I just want what amounts to a two-outlet power distribution unit in the wall - like the picture in the OP.

The picture in the OP is just a homemade power strip lying on the floor though?

Without speaking to electrical code, it seems like what you want to do is to install a normal wall outlet, but instead of feeding it from a circuit breaker panel, screw a plug onto the end of the romex and feed it from a UPS. Sounds simple enough.

I don't think you can buy something like that because I think anything that plugs in isn't supposed to be permanently attached to the building.

 

[Mike64]

I just want what amounts to a two-outlet power distribution unit in the wall - like the picture in the OP.

You do realize the outlet pictured in the OP isn't "in" the wall, right? It's a electrical box mounted "on" the wall, with an outlet and switch inside and a face plate, and a another socket wired into the bottom and with what appears to be yet another piece of pointless homebrew - this time an "extension cord" with two male terminators - plugged into the outlet on the bottom. (ETA: Maybe whoever built it thought that using a plug instead of hard-wiring a cord would somehow make it less non-code-worthy, but while I'm only vaguely familiar with electrical codes in a very amateur sort of way, I doubt it actually would...)

Except to avoid paying out of pocket for a power strip if whoever built it already had the parts lying around, I can't being to imagine what would be the point of putting something like that together at all, but if you're going to spend money on a pre-built <something> in any event, what's such a big deal about that particular construction? The mountable power strip Humpy posted a pic of in post #3 is functionally almost identical, the differences being that you get 3 sockets instead of just two - spaced a bit further apart in the bargain, a covered switch to prevent accidental turn-offs, and only one point of probable failure if you trip over the cord between the outlet/power strip and the UPS unit, instead of two...

If (for some strange reason) you really want one that looks "just like" the on in the OP photo, you're gonna be stuck doing-it-yourself, but the parts are easily obtainable at any box store or electrical supply house for not very much money and it would talk all about 15 minutes to slap it together, so that shouldn't be a big deal either?

PS: If you want it in the wall, where/how do you envision supplying power to it? I doubt that any wiring built-into the wall but supplied by an external cord would pass electrical inspection in any event, but if you're not going to go the trouble of running Romex to a less visible spot at a distance from the outlet, I totally don't see the point of the whole exercise in the first place. A power strip mounted to the wall would like what it is, the kludge pictured in the OP looks sort of like that only less "elegant", but a supply cord sticking out of the wall right next to the socket would look, well, just plain weird...

 

[mxnerd]

Seems OP's PSU will be in utility room but the in-wall switch & plugs will be in living room?

 

[herm0016]

https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tnpla/78008844?cid=ppc-google-New+-+Lighting+&+Electrical+-+PLA_sX6iKktED___164110844553_c_S&mkwid=sX6iKktED|dc&pcrid=164110844553&rd=k&product_id=78008844&gclid=CjwKCAiA693RBRAwEiwALCc3u63LJHD6zYuWv45OSKAiv1DDh5KM0YvhSLxYVny7ZDGzLuKMYZWn8BoCrx4QAvD_BwE

Use this in your server closet, and wire the outlet to it. all on the up and up. short cord from the ups output to the wall. i think they would be the most professional way to do it.

easy peasy. I think most the the above just don't understand that you can have several power distro systems that are separate in a building. we had a huge UPS on one, regular on one and regulated and filtered on one system, all the outlets were different colors to identify them. black, white, orange.

 

[herm0016]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Midlite-...75035&wl11=online&wl12=20776117&wl13=&veh=sem

even better. takes a standard cover plate. though, i may go for the higher quality one from msc anyway.

also. make sure to label i on both ends.

 

[Mike64]

if the outlet will be at any distance from the UPS, then I guess I still can't figure out why he wanted/wants something that looks like what he posted in the OP. Basically wouldn't he "really" (just) want to install and wire the outlet for the TV like any other wall outlet, run the cable supplying it through the wall(s) to wherever the UPS will be, and then terminate that cable at a male "socket" like the ones you linked, rather than at a breaker board? Whether that's at all legal in a residence (and/or whatever specific requirements there are concerning such wiring) is well beyond my (poor) knowledge of electrical codes, but physically it seems pretty straightforward. But none of that involves anything resembling that wall-mounted "DIY power strip" shown in the OP...

 

[destrekor]

You do realize the outlet pictured in the OP isn't "in" the wall, right? It's a electrical box mounted "on" the wall, with an outlet and switch inside and a face plate, and a another socket wired into the bottom and with what appears to be yet another piece of pointless homebrew - this time an "extension cord" with two male terminators - plugged into the outlet on the bottom. (ETA: Maybe whoever built it thought that using a plug instead of hard-wiring a cord would somehow make it less non-code-worthy, but while I'm only vaguely familiar with electrical codes in a very amateur sort of way, I doubt it actually would...)

Except to avoid paying out of pocket for a power strip if whoever built it already had the parts lying around, I can't being to imagine what would be the point of putting something like that together at all, but if you're going to spend money on a pre-built <something> in any event, what's such a big deal about that particular construction? The mountable power strip Humpy posted a pic of in post #3 is functionally almost identical, the differences being that you get 3 sockets instead of just two - spaced a bit further apart in the bargain, a covered switch to prevent accidental turn-offs, and only one point of probable failure if you trip over the cord between the outlet/power strip and the UPS unit, instead of two...

If (for some strange reason) you really want one that looks "just like" the on in the OP photo, you're gonna be stuck doing-it-yourself, but the parts are easily obtainable at any box store or electrical supply house for not very much money and it would talk all about 15 minutes to slap it together, so that shouldn't be a big deal either?

PS: If you want it in the wall, where/how do you envision supplying power to it? I doubt that any wiring built-into the wall but supplied by an external cord would pass electrical inspection in any event, but if you're not going to go the trouble of running Romex to a less visible spot at a distance from the outlet, I totally don't see the point of the whole exercise in the first place. A power strip mounted to the wall would like what it is, the kludge pictured in the OP looks sort of like that only less "elegant", but a supply cord sticking out of the wall right next to the socket would look, well, just plain weird...

I think that's a lack of imagination on your part

I've seen something from Legrand that was almost exactly like the style in the OP. In/on wall, depends on your perspective I guess. I'm thinking like a normal outlet in the gang box, so from the finished side of the wall, it looks like a typical wall plate with two outlets. But if you were to look at the other side, you'd see the gang box but then see a cord going from it to another outlet.

The idea to me isn't in skipping Romex, it's in skipping the entire concept of hard-wiring it to a circuit.

A surge strip mounted to a wall is nothing at all like finding a typical two-outlet plate anywhere in a house. There's a cord hanging off the wall, then going to a device wherever it is, which then has other cords plugged into it.

The other side of the wall in question is entirely open and unfinished so some points don't matter.

This isn't about putting an outlet where one isn't - it's about having a wall outlet that is technically attached to a UPS but otherwise looks like an ordinary outlet.

 

[mindless1]

^ There's no consumer demand so even if you found one it would probably be an obscenely expensive niche item. Make your own then it'll be exactly how you want it, right down to the color of the outlets.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Technically extension cord style cable should not be in walls so what I would do is install an outlet as normal using romex, have the romex go to the server room and then to a junction box, then have the extension cord end come out (romex to stranded with wire nuts should be ok, but consider terminal blocks instead) and hen plug into the UPS.

The inlet idea is good too but I've never seen those in hardware stores at least not for a 15 amp 120v plug. But if you can find one then I'd go that route instead of the junction box.

 

[destrekor]

Technically extension cord style cable should not be in walls so what I would do is install an outlet as normal using romex, have the romex go to the server room and then to a junction box, then have the extension cord end come out (romex to stranded with wire nuts should be ok, but consider terminal blocks instead) and hen plug into the UPS.

The inlet idea is good too but I've never seen those in hardware stores at least not for a 15 amp 120v plug. But if you can find one then I'd go that route instead of the junction box.

You lost me with junction box.

And yeah it's not 100% up to code, but it also won't be entirely "in the wall" - the wall consists of studs, and plywood/paneling on one side, while it's bare on the other side (utility room). Nor is it designed to be a permanent installation which I think is the bigger key. But yeah definitely not code for permanent use.

 

[destrekor]

https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tnpla/78008844?cid=ppc-google-New+-+Lighting+&+Electrical+-+PLA_sX6iKktED___164110844553_c_S&mkwid=sX6iKktED|dc&pcrid=164110844553&rd=k&product_id=78008844&gclid=CjwKCAiA693RBRAwEiwALCc3u63LJHD6zYuWv45OSKAiv1DDh5KM0YvhSLxYVny7ZDGzLuKMYZWn8BoCrx4QAvD_BwE

Use this in your server closet, and wire the outlet to it. all on the up and up. short cord from the ups output to the wall. i think they would be the most professional way to do it.

easy peasy. I think most the the above just don't understand that you can have several power distro systems that are separate in a building. we had a huge UPS on one, regular on one and regulated and filtered on one system, all the outlets were different colors to identify them. black, white, orange.

So what's the idea there? The inlet on the wall near the UPS, and it would go from UPS outlet to wall inlet? And then use standard nomex between the inlet socket and the wall outlet that the TV connects into?

I mean it's gotta be that way, right? Having an exposed male inlet socket that's hot/live... sounds like quite the bad idea.

 

[tynopik]

This is what I mean:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Extension-Cord-With-Built-in-Switch-Safe-Qu/

. . . .

I will probably end up getting a very large UPS for my rack, and would like to include my TV on it via a 5-15R wall plug that is specifically then connected to the UPS via a 5-15P plug. Anything on this outlet would be powered by the UPS when there is no power

. . .

Thoughts?

the pic and link have NOTHING to do with what you're describing and merely cause confusion, you would do better to just remove them

 

[destrekor]

if the outlet will be at any distance from the UPS, then I guess I still can't figure out why he wanted/wants something that looks like what he posted in the OP. Basically wouldn't he "really" (just) want to install and wire the outlet for the TV like any other wall outlet, run the cable supplying it through the wall(s) to wherever the UPS will be, and then terminate that cable at a male "socket" like the ones you linked, rather than at a breaker board? Whether that's at all legal in a residence (and/or whatever specific requirements there are concerning such wiring) is well beyond my (poor) knowledge of electrical codes, but physically it seems pretty straightforward. But none of that involves anything resembling that wall-mounted "DIY power strip" shown in the OP...

The TV and UPS would be separated by about 10-15ft at most, with a wall being the only obstacle. If it were any further I wouldn't be entertaining this idea

Also I'm sensing a disconnect here.

Basically wouldn't he "really" (just) want to install and wire the outlet for the TV like any other wall outlet, run the cable supplying it through the wall(s) to wherever the UPS will be, and then terminate that cable at a male "socket" like the ones you linked, rather than at a breaker board?

Breaker board? I haven't brought up that idea at all.

Wire a normal outlet? Check, that's the original idea basically.
Run cable from outlet to UPS? Check, exactly what I'm looking to do.
Terminate that at a male socket? Wait why would I add yet another socket? If I terminate the wire in a male plug, like the picture in the OP, I could then literally plug that into the UPS. If I terminate it in a socket, I then still have to connect a cable between the UPS and said socket.

I'm thinking now y'all are picturing something like this:

which I actually already have for the TV - the wall it's on isn't very conducive to hosting a proper run for power from the breaker or another outlet already wired up. Because of the shared wall and especially the concrete in said shared wall (at least in the basement. Oh and this is a townhouse if I didn't cover that before), I don't actually have any outlets on those shared walls, which is really quite the PIA.

The situation here: wall-mounted TV, so I used something like the photo above, but it's a good quality one with standard romex connecting the two ends (and it uses c13/c14 for the bottom as opposed to 5-15P). Then the cord that plugs into the bottom then currently connects to a surge strip, and then the wall from there. I've craftily hid that cable between the TV wall and surge strip.

But I'd like to avoid the extra plugs doing another one of those would entail.

 

[destrekor]

the pic and link have NOTHING to do with what you're describing and merely cause confusion, you would do better to just remove them

See how it looks like a box + wall plate? Sure it isn't installed in the wall, but the concept is exactly the same. Take a cord, then terminate it into an outlet box. Except mine would be mounted on the bare side of a wall (utility room, exposed studs), with the utility plate on the outer side of that wall like normal. Bear with me, apparently DIY is the only way to go for this concept so the goal was finding decent examples to share that I wouldn't need to explain in thousands of words.

 

[mindless1]

I feel that this is a serious misallocation of resources. In wall it's not up to code and out of wall there are existing products. DIY or just quit being picky and drape a towel over it or something if the sight of an outlet strip makes you vomit.

I'm just saying, sometimes you have to DIY. Then you know it's right, right?

 

[Red Squirrel]

You lost me with junction box.

And yeah it's not 100% up to code, but it also won't be entirely "in the wall" - the wall consists of studs, and plywood/paneling on one side, while it's bare on the other side (utility room). Nor is it designed to be a permanent installation which I think is the bigger key. But yeah definitely not code for permanent use.

Something like this:



Except in your case you don't need water tight, just use a regular metal one (cheaper) and the female end would just be romex going to the wall outlet. The box could be mounted near the UPS where the power cord then plugs into it. Ignore the bridge rectifier part, that's just the closest pic I had to a junction box. In your case the wires would just be connected together with a small terminal block.

Though if you have a big UPS, like over 1800w, what I would do is wire it to a small electrical panel and then feed all the UPS stuff from there. That's eventually what I want to do when I upgrade my UPS.