Tweakers' Asylum

Posted by bartc (A) on February 26, 2009 at 21:28:34

In Reply to: RE: Which wire to choose to build power strip? posted by michaelv20850 on February 26, 2009 at 18:19:01

1) You can use the non-ferrous pot metal stuff they sell for under $10 for a double at any hardware store. (Not the galvanized steel!) Or you can go to an electrical supply store and buy it in molded aluminum for about $25-30. Either way, they work great.
2) FWIW, I prefer the more commonly used 12 AWG, as that's usually the same as in your wall and it's big enough for most applications. I believe (note that's faith, not science) that 14 is a bit too small for power strips, but some think it's fine. Some prefer even larger, say 10 or larger AWG. I think you'll find 12 most common in audio grade stuff.
3)Do star wiring and have only one point of ground between outlets and box, grounding the box too. If not sure, re-read some of Al Sekela's posts on how that's done; it's simple.
4) You can use either solid core or stranded, but solid is sometimes harder to work with in confined spaces, like the box.