220 V Power Strip?

Hello, I have two 220 machines in my shop and would like to avoid having to keep plugging/unplugging them.

Is there a way to make/buy a "power strip" for 220 volt to avoid this? Is this advised? I'd only have one machine turned on at a time.

Thanks, Jim

Why not just put 2ea 220v outlets on the same circuit, located where the machines are to be used? Probably won't be to code, but if its only you using the place, you'll know not to start both at once. Gary Brady Austin, TX

On Thu, 4 Dec 2003 22:01:27 -0500, Dr Jimmy put forth the notion that...

The easiest way would be to use a couple of 4S boxes with industrial cover plates for whatever size and type receptacle you're using. You can get cover plates with different sized holes to match all commonly used twist lock receptacles.

Install a 240V/15A (NEMA 6R-15) or 240V/20A (NEMA 6R-20) *duplex* recepticle in a standard junction box. Looks just like a regular 120 duplex recepticle but w/ 2 horizontal/coplaner slots (15A) or a horizontal and a T shaped opening (and, of course, the U shaped ground) instead of 2 vertical parallel slots 120V/15A) or vertical and T shaped (120V/20A).

I believe long 240V powerstrips and 240V "quad" receptacles (fit an a 4" square box) are also available check Grainger, MSC or your local electrical wholesaler.

Whenever I read specs like that I see dollar signs. Given the chea.. er frugal guy that I am, I would just hard wire both machines. Almost certainly not to code, so I know that a lot of people wouldn't do it. I hope I don't start a big debate about what's safe and what isn't.

Bob

Or, just daisy chain the 2 machines. I.e., put both of them on the same plug. Then you still have the disconnect and might even be compliant.

Mark Rand RTFM

I use 220V NEMA locking receptacles, each mounted on a mud ring fitted to a standard surface mount "handy-box". I use chase nibbles and stranded THNN to daisy-chain the boxes. Add as many boxes as you need.

HTH,

Dan

How many amps is your current socket? How many amps are the machines?

In most of the US, it's code-compliant to put multiple 220V 15A jacks on the same circuit. In all but a few places you can put multiple

Tim.

I don't see why that should violate code, after all a 20A 115V circuit goes to multiple outlets. You just don't draw more than 20A total or the breaker will pop.