Where do you wish you had a powerpoint?

My new apartment is going to be finished soon, and one of the things I want to avoid is regretting that I didn't get something done while the tradies are still around and before I move in. One thing I've thought of is that there's never enough powerpoints at most places I've lived in. Where do you wish you had a powerpoint?

Find more posts tagged with

Lighting and Electrical

Comments

Jason

One suggestion: create a "charging station" somewhere unobtrusive. A lot of people these days have multiple portable devices that they use every day. Having somewhere handy where this can be done clutter-free would be a boon. And its extra handy to have powerpoints that also feature USB points.

Jason

Isobel

A charging station is a good idea. It can certainly help keep things tidy.

The only problem with many solutions is that you need to keep the drawer or cupboard open when charging devices as they can generate a lot of heat and are a possible fire hazard.

Other suggestions: make sure you have a low power point next to both sides of your bed and allowing for different configurations of the room. Also consider an appliance cupboard or similar in your kitchen with plenty of points for the likes of coffee machines, toasters, kettles, mixers, etc. And do you have a courtyard, patio or deck? Many people forget that all-weather points outside can be very useful.

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2398#Comment_2398

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE @Jason, can you, or a web tech retrieve my post that vaporised 45 minutes of effort, due to an "Authentication Failed"?

I'd put a lot of time into it, & then could not retrieve the last 45 minutes that I'd spent on it?

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63503#Comment_63503

@Andy_Mann

Sorry to hear that. That error typically occurs when users leave the session inactive too long.

If you go to your user profile page you'll find a list of your auto-saved drafts at the bottom of the page. Alternatively, if you reply to the same post you replied to last night and there is an auto save, you'll be prompted to either load it or discard it.

Jason

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94274#Comment_94274

@Jason, thanks for your suggestion, I did that yesterday (you'd helped me before on a similar mishap of mine), but I realise now where I went wrong, I'd had 2 long breaks while writing it, so it only saved the first part of the post. 😳

I'll take 2 No-Dose tablets & have another crack at it today. 🙂

Emily

I wish I had more powerpoints in the kitchen! We have quite a large section of bench next to the stove, which has no powerpoints, and then quite a small section of bench next to the sink, which has two powerpoints... You never realise how many kitchen appliances you have that use power until you try to balance them all into a half square metre of bench space

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2401#Comment_2401

First off, I think that Workshopper @BecSparky, would be our most valuable contributor, as I surrendered my licence years ago, & am out of date.

Until then, I'll put in my 2 cents worth. 😉

@Emily, for sure, kitchen power points in appropriate areas is tricky, there're new appliances being introduced steadily to market, so it's easy to get caught out with not enough powerpoints, in the right places.

I wired our home during the build, & I thought that I had it covered with 3 doubles in the kitchen, WRONG. 😳

I've since replaced a colour co-ordinated double, with a white, surface mount (ugly & bulky) 4 point outlet. 🙁

That said, our home is double brick, which means I fitted double powerpoint sized metal wall box receptacles into the brickwork, which makes it harder to upgrade to a larger number of outlets on a single faceplate.

Brick veneer fit-outs have it easier, the metal wall bracket can be modded to fit a larger gang plate, or fit another powerpoint next to the original. BUT, there is a limit to how many you can add, after the original install. Most modern houses will have multiple circuits, that being several power circuit breakers in the meterbox, or the internal sub-board. The number of those circuit breakers (overload safety switches), is calculated to safely handle a reasonable useage number of power draw (maximum demand) at any time, so there is a limit to how many you can safely add later on.

The big difference between when I wired our home, & now, is that the electrician (me, in our case) had to submit a proposed install to the electrical authorities, & have it passed, before they could run a single wire. Nowadays, the sparkie does their best without scrutiny, & signs off on completion of their work.

My advice is to nail your sparkie down in the consultation process, on how & where extra points can be added down the track.

In closing, I'd like to air my disgust of retail ethics, where a store will happily sell costumers electrical cables/fittings & gear, without the customer showing an electrical certificate. I mean, who takes responsibility if someone gets killed, &/or the customer's home burns down? Not happy.

Goldmember

I don't think we need any more power points, but I wish I had put ethernet cable all over the house. Wifi is much slower than a cable connection. Best and easiest to do before the plaster walls go in!

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2405#Comment_2405

Totally agree @Goldmember, wired networks are the way to go, & if they can be installed at the build stage, it'll save a bucket load of money, hassle, & wireless security stress.

Kellie

I've also learned we are getting NBN connections, so know wondering where I will put that! Hopefully I will get the choice. Thanks for the input.

darylhewston

@KellieSpec homes/apartments never, ever have enough powerpoints. Even later on down the track you will be doing something and think 'Gee I wish I had one there'. Being a sparky myself, I believe that you cannot have enough. This doesn't mean that you will use them all at once, however trying to get behind the lounge or bed to try and plug something in is a pain. A charging station is a must in todays world and would only involve a small bracketless shelf and a powerpoint/usb charger beside it in a handy location. My wife just loves the one I installed in the hallway for the vacuum.

Johnnynl

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63511#Comment_63511

The simplest method to cover your future requirements is to put draw strings into every corner you dont have a current plan for, i just drilled 🚨20mm hole in every top plate corner, put nail in the attic, run string down to 200mm from bottom of stud and tied off. 5 years later I cut hole in wall where i wanted extra hotpoints, tied string to cable and pulled it up into roof space and off to switchboard. Simple.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94416#Comment_94416

Thanks for joining in the discussion @Johnnynl. It's fantastic to have you as part of the Workshop community. It sounds like you have amazing experience and knowledge to share - retired Electro/Mechanical Engineer, Information Systems Manager, Computer Technician, Carpenter and Joiner! I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your posts and reading about your projects and plans.

Jason

Kellie

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94416#Comment_94416

Can I ask what's a draw string? 😳

Johnnynl

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113599#Comment_113599

@Kellie wrote:
Can I ask what's a draw string? 😳

Sorry, its just a peice of string/twine, strong enough to pull some tru-rip 3 core power cable up or down the wall at a later stage, you just tie it off to a nail top n bottom so you can get at it later.

The most time consuming job adding hotpoints after the build is drilling new pathways inside walls from up in the roof, or having to put conduit outside the wall which doesnt look nice. 🙂

Patricia64

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2398#Comment_2398

Kitchen one switch is not turning off

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/69049#Comment_69049

Hi @Patricia64,

If your powerpoint is not turning off, then either it or the internal switch mechanism is faulty. You should employ the services of a licensed electrician to assess the issue and have it fixed.

Mitchell

Child Item