Installing GPO in cupboard

Hi all

I'm making some cupboards to hold my hoem theatre and stereo equipment at the moment. Simple melamine cabinets withMDF fronts and a timber top to match my floors. I had a GPO on the wall behind the cabinet which I removed to fit the cabinets tightly to the wall. However, when I tried to reinstall the GPO, the wiring in the wall isn't long enough to stretch the extra 20mm into the cupboard. You reckon the original sparkie could have left me a little more slack.

Anyway, 2 questions:

1. Is it legal to actually mount a GPO in a cupboard?

2. Is there any way to extend the wires easily?

I would simply chase it across the wall a bit, but there are three wires all joining at the GPO, and I am not confident that they will all move easily across the wall.

Your esteemed advice would be appreciated. I am trying to avoid getting a sparkie out for one GPO, but I guess I will if I have to.

Trav

Get a sparkie.:rolleyes:

I dont know for sure but I would think it would be ok if the cabinet was screwed to the wall. Otherwise cut a big enough hole in back of cabinet to go around the point.
No easy way to extend wiring without junction boxes etc which you dont want in the cavity where you cant get to if there is a problem.

Another idear is to wire some points into cabinet and wire a lead and plug onto it and plug it in to an existing point. That way moving it around is no problem.

When playing around with gpo's uou will find that if you cut the right size hole you can pull the point through it without unscrewing the wires, this could be hard with 3 cables though.

An outlet into a built-in cupboard legally requires a sparky. I'm not sure, but from memory it's illegal to hard-wire anything into cabinet which can be simply moved, whether qualified or not. Don't quote me on that though. :rolleyes:

On the other hand, there's nothing to stop you from mounting one of those protected power-boards into a cupboard and routing the cable out the back, to plug into the closest outlet.

Extending wires horizontally usually involves running the wire up or down to a crawlspace (depending on house construction) running along and then coming back up or down through the wall plate. Or, more often, from a junction box tapped into a suitable existing circuit in the crawlspace. Unless you're also planning on relining one side of the wall...?

How much you want to spend?

I've got an 8 plug Surge Protected power board permanently fixed under the base of my entertainment unit. Its plugged into a power point 3 feet away. Works for me and didn't need a sparky.
Cheers

1 Bodgy extend the cables / wires using BP connectors ( not Recomended)

2 replace GPO cut hole in the rear of the cabinet over GPO and plug in proper anti surge unit as Shedhand said, Belkin is a good brand , ask your self how much did I spend on the TV, surround system , DVD player , Video, STB etc and isn't it worth another $200 to protect all this.

3 Get a sparkie $$$$

It's legal to put GPO's in cabinets, just look inside your rangehood, microwave or sink cupboard in your kitchen! (forgot to mention the appliance cupboard)

A 70mm holesaw will allow you to pass the GPO fascia through the hole without disconnecting any wires.

If you can mount the GPO towards the top of the cabinet you can get more yardage. Simply remove cabinet and rip thru gyprock to desired height.

Replace cabinet and shout with glee!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ashore

1 Bodgy extend the cables / wires using BP connectors ( not Recomended)

2 replace GPO cut hole in the rear of the cabinet over GPO and plug in proper anti surge unit as Shedhand said, Belkin is a good brand , ask your self how much did I spend on the TV, surround system , DVD player , Video, STB etc and isn't it worth another $200 to protect all this.

3 Get a sparkie $$$$

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I got a Belkin 6 plug Surge Protector for my Computer and peripherals. 175 bucks at Hardley Normal. Worth every cent with my IT stuff worth more than 15 grand. ;)

Thanks all. I already have a surge protector powerboard. I was simply trying to get a really neat look at the back of the cupboard without a big hole. But that seems to be the best option, so I will reinstall the GPO and cut a suitable hole in the back.

Thanks

Trav

Sounds like the best bet.

Why do you want a Post Office in a cupboard?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by outback

Why do you want a Post Office in a cupboard?

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Cause its a boy cupboard

Powerpoint is now reinstalled with a suitable hole in the back of my cabinet. It all works fine (although doesn;t look as good as having the GPO in the cupboard itself).

Thanks for the help

Trav