Media cabinet misc wires

[tshephard]

I'm tackling a rewire job on my automation equipment. Its been up for about 10 years and screwed to plywood on the wall and has grown into a wiring nightmare. I never wanted to touch it because everything worked, but I went ahead with the redo anyway.

I purchased a 42" Leviton SMC (media cabinet) and I am presently moving everything into it, although all of a sudden its not big enough .

I got the RG6, and cat5 stuff down. Leviton has boards for that.

My question is, what do I do about landing all the misc wires like door switches, IR wiring to xantech blocks, speaker wires?

I currently have these on either a 66 block, or a couple of terminal strips, but I'd like to have a cleaner method.

Another question is, what do you do about all the different power supplies and voltages needed for the equipment, like the ethernet switch, voip adapter, IR xantech power, misc 12v needs? I did find at ACE hardware a nice power strip that allows for six plug in wall warts at one time. And of course so far I need seven!

 

[Neurorad]

I think 66 blocks and terminal strips are good options, as well as 110 blocks.

I'd get a 2nd Leviton 42" enclsoure, to match the first.

For stranded speaker wire, I think Xantech and Leviton have speaker 'connecting block' options. If using multiple sources, those terminal/barrier strips/blocks are good, IMHO - I'm looking into using a DIN rail mount terminal block myself, after considering the terminal strips. Saves a little room, but expensive.

Slotted wiring duct, aka 'finger channel' can be used to make an enclosure look really good, but it can eat up space. Available in lots of different sizes at your local electrical supply store. $20-$30 for a six foot length.

 

[tshephard]

Thanks. I took you advice and added a second smc next to the first.

Still working on the misc wires problem. I thought of going with DIN rails for the power supplies and just replace every thing with the different voltage supply as needed. But that starts adding a lot of expense as well. Just going with these cabinets and wireways have cost plenty ;-)

I think 66 blocks and terminal strips are good options, as well as 110 blocks.

I'd get a 2nd Leviton 42" enclsoure, to match the first.

For stranded speaker wire, I think Xantech and Leviton have speaker 'connecting block' options. If using multiple sources, those terminal/barrier strips/blocks are good, IMHO - I'm looking into using a DIN rail mount terminal block myself, after considering the terminal strips. Saves a little room, but expensive.

Slotted wiring duct, aka 'finger channel' can be used to make an enclosure look really good, but it can eat up space. Available in lots of different sizes at your local electrical supply store. $20-$30 for a six foot length.

 

[Sacedog]

I used 66 blocks for all of my contacts, sensors, etc. and they have worked great. It was easy to get stuff punched down, and keeps it all nice and clean. I then have slotted ducts in between each of the 66 blocks to keep all of the wires hidden. Here is a pic before I finished cleaning up the wires:

http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...q=si&img=16

I still have about 15 wires left to punch down, but will try to get a new pic of it tonight.

 

[lip]

I used 66 blocks for all of my contacts, sensors, etc. and they have worked great. It was easy to get stuff punched down, and keeps it all nice and clean. I then have slotted ducts in between each of the 66 blocks to keep all of the wires hidden. Here is a pic before I finished cleaning up the wires:

http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...q=si&img=16

I still have about 15 wires left to punch down, but will try to get a new pic of it tonight.

Sacedog: Can you describe in a bit more detail what you have going on with your system as a whole? You house must be a monster to have that size of an Elk system!
Impressive to say the least!
LIP

 

[Neurorad]

Sacedog, that's an awesome setup!

In the 'junction can', is that 2" wide slotted wiring duct, run horizontally?

 

[Sacedog]

Well, rather than hijack this thread, I'll post to my wiring project thread here tonight:

http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...10185&st=45

It has been a long time since I have posted.

Yes, that is 2" duct that is run horizontally. I used a combination of a couple of different sizes, in order to get it just right. If you live near the Sacramento, CA area, I have a TON left over that I would give away.