AC power distribution in closet

dementeddigital

Active Member
I'm doing some rewiring, and I want to run a dedicated AC drop to where I have some equipment installed.  What is the cleanest way to provide multiple AC outlets for everything? 
 
It looks like I need 13 AC outlets for the Omni, PIM, DVR, audio distribution (x2), cameras (x4), router, cable modem, ethernet switch, and HDMI splitter.  I'm not too excited to put 7 outlets in the closet, but that seems like it's the most straightforward way.
 
Pics of what other people have done would be great!
 
Easy to run one or two circuits to 1-4 double outlet boxes. 
 
Are you using conduit and can you run conduit in the wall from below or above the closet?
 
My 41" Leviton can has a Leviton power strip connected to the bottom of the can and one power strip in the middle of the can.
 
Take a picture of the closet and post it here. 
 
I would probably go with a single or double gang receptacle in the wall, and then use one or two power strips to distribute the power.  There are lots of choices, including industrial style strips with 12, 16 or more outlets. A lot depends on how you plan to arrange and mount the equipment.
 
Some examples from Tripp-Lite: https://www.tripplite.com/products/power-strips~20
 
+1 for a single outlet and power strips for expansion, adding a lot of outlets will do you no good if you are using devices that require transformers.  I added a double gang outlet by my rack and can only use two of the 4 outlets due to transformers, and I had to install one outlet in the box upside down so I could at least use two.
 
One other thing to consider is which way the receptacles are mounted in the power strips.  Some models have the ground pin oriented along the center line of the strip, while others have them rotated 90 degrees with the ground pin towards the edge (Tripp-Lite has both styles).  When you need to plug in transformers, that can make a difference.  Somehow, I always end up with a mix of transformer types, and one style of power strip doesn't work for all of them.  So using two power strips, one with each orientation, may be the best solution.
 
The long strips are handy.  Like this kind:
https://www.tripplite.com/12-outlet-vertical-power-strip-120v-15a-15-ft-cord-5-15p-36-in~PS3612/
 
The advantage is there's more room around the outlet to accommodate what might be transformer larger than a regular plug. That and the added space around each outlet gives you better room to safely plug/unplug the correct device without disrupting the others.  That and there's room on there to attach a label indicating what's supposed to be plugged where.  It's also helpful to put a label on the transformer or the cord to identify what device it's powering. 
 
plugmold would be my suggestion. Not necessarily a premade strip.
 
Power strips are downright dangerous with enough hardware attached.
 
Also, can you reduce any?  If the cameras can do POE, the right switch could eliminate 4 of those.  Also if you have several using the same voltage, there are some leviton offerings that'll give you several 12V outs.
 
I agree that a strip is often easiest, but as said above, it depends on how you have it all laid out.  I ended up with a small 12U rack so it was easy to do a rack mount power strip (PDU).
 
What are the dimensions of the room ==> WXLXH?
 
Did one automation closet here with just everything on one wall ....but only cans. 
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone.  Very helpful.
 
It's a small closet (7' x 4'), and I want to keep everything up high so that the closet is still usable as a closet.  (Houses here in FL generally have very limited storage space, and this one is no exception.)  Cans might be better for the Omni and audio.  I could go that route.  I like the Plugmold idea, too.
 
I can consolidate by putting several things on a UPS - the DVR, cable modem, router, switch, and HDMI splitter would make sense.  I could consolidate camera power, too.  The cheapie consumer-grade camera package I have has four wall warts with 4 DC outlets each.  A multi-outlet camera power supply would make that a lot cleaner.
 
Thanks for the ideas!
 
The mention of the closet related to FL.  It is an elevated ranch.  The closet is in the laundry room.  All of the wiring comes from the attic. 
 
It is a high ceiling in there.  I added the LV during construction.  The GC subcontracted an alarm installer and originally was planning on putting the alarm can in one of the two walk in closets in the master bedroom.  I had them install the alarm LV in the designated mentioned laundry room closet which is in the middle of the house (sort of).  Also configured an LCD television (and cabling) while there in the Laundry room (as I have done similar in the midwest) It is just two cans mid closet to ceiling.  I have to utilize a ladder to get to the HAI can.  I have one circuit in the closet with going to one power strip inside of the Leviton can with the bottom piece which is HV.  (so it is really two HV power sources in the can).  I also have a Leviton 12 VDC dohicky in there.  It probably gets warm in their as I have no ventilation configured.  Its been over 5 years now that its been running and I haven't touched it.  Audio was configured there as here in the midwest with two in wall (and some ceiling) speakers using 16/4 split to 16/2 for speakers in a box with the audio controllers (and cat5e) in every room with speakers.  Ran the pool lanai LV cabling during construction.  I did also run some wiring in PVC tubing under the (done during construction).   The laundry room is large.  I redid the closet relating to WAF such that it looks to be a laundry room storage closet rather than a wiring closet. 
 
It is a simple set up. 
 
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