electrical drops from ceiling

[Brandon_oma#692]

Steel walls and ceiling with surface mounted conduit. Plan on adding more conduit for these circuits. Looking to drop a few 120v and possibly a 240v single phase cord from the ceiling to about 6' off the floor to plug in benches and other semi portable things with standard cord and plug. What are my options other than a cord reel plugged in to a ceiling mounted box with a duplex outlet? I am thinking 12awg cord with a good female end, but unsure how to secure it either to the box or the ceiling correctly. I usually use these for cords I repair or make up.

 

[nadogail]

I use a “KellemsGrip”.

 

[dscheidt]

The proper way to do it with a pendant outlet box. They tend to be not cheap, and why you see people using using a regular extension cord, or other hacky solutions. If you do something other than buy a premade pendant, remember you need proper strain relief at both ends. Also, 6' is whack head territory, so keep that in mind when positioning them.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

I use a “KellemsGrip”.

Thanks. I have seen them and actually have a few. I wasn't sure what they were called to find them for sale.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

The proper way to do it with a pendant outlet box. They tend to be not cheap, and why you see people using using a regular extension cord, or other hacky solutions. If you do something other than buy a premade pendant, remember you need proper strain relief at both ends. Also, 6' is whack head territory, so keep that in mind when positioning them.

Looking to get power to workbench, small horizontal band saw, standard floor standing drill press, and a cart with the bench grinders and sanders on it. Most of the time these stay put but I move them to make the aisle wider when moving things with the forklift. Currently it is a mess of extensions cords laying on the floor.

I thought the one I pictured did not need an additional strain relief as it had pieces you flip depending on cord size. I was trying to figure out strain relief for the other end at the metal box where it would connect with wire nuts.

I could just do outlets on the ceiling and cord reels. Just seemed wasteful for 30 feet of cord when only 6 is needed.

 

[JohnX14]

I use a “KellemsGrip”.

Same here, something like this: https://www.gordonelectricsupply.co...FRaTuGsb_--2i_CCEfUqmkXFG9U5FJ0hoChWAQAvD_BwE

 

[jbailey927]

I used this:

Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems Portable Outlet Box, 2 Gangs, 1 in Hub Size, 2 Inlets, 5 in L, 2.77 in W, Thermoplastic, Yellow HBL3000 | Zoro

Order Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems Portable Outlet Box, 2 Gangs, 1 in Hub Size, 2 Inlets, 5 in L, 2.77 in W, Thermoplastic, Yellow, HBL3000 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

It worked out pretty well. you can see it hovering above the cabint in the bottom left of the picture.

 

[Snap-on_rich]

I'm an electrician by trade.

Well usually mount a 1900 box, round, etc box the ceiling, then use the proper kellems grip. Use #12 soow cord with a good Hubbell female end or a nice non-conductive box like a Woodhead Box.

Honestly a cord reel may be best...

 

[alfredeneuman]

I'm also an electrician by trade (45+ years worth)
You don't need a Kellems grip.
A gland type cord connector qualifies a a strain relief and is much less expensive.

 

[Snap-on_rich]

I'm also an electrician by trade (45+ years worth)
You don't need a Kellems grip.
A gland type cord connector qualifies a a strain relief and is much less expensive.

I rather have the security of a kellems grip. Cord drops are always being yanked on and pulled.. But your right, if its your own shop and your mindfull it will be fine. I've seen plenty of cords ripped out of gland type grips. Im a fan of dust tight kellems grips if its for a customer. I don't want a callback, even if its from customer neglect...

Types of UL Listed Strain Relief
Cord Grips (Cable Glands/Strain Relief Connectors): These fittings thread into a box or hub and use internal components (a gripper and a grommet) to firmly compress the cord when a nut is tightened.
Application: Ideal for securing individual flexible cords or cables into boxes or panels, creating a liquid-tight and oil-tight seal when necessary. Key Feature: They are designed to fit specific cable diameter ranges.

*Wire Mesh Support Grips: These use a woven wire mesh to provide robust support and strain relief for the full weight of the cable, especially for longer vertical drops or when the cable is subject to frequent movement or heavy mechanical stress.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

I'm an electrician by trade.

Well usually mount a 1900 box, round, etc box the ceiling, then use the proper kellems grip. Use #12 soow cord with a good Hubbell female end or a nice non-conductive box like a Woodhead Box.

Honestly a cord reel may be best...

yep. I just wanted short 12awg instead of long 14 or 16 awg in the cheap reels. using short heavy cord just sounds right instead of longer lighter cord. Not spending $$$ on the heavy reels for this. they would be the $40 amazon specials

 

[W-Cummins]

Well not quite the Amazon $40 but I picked this up on fb mp for $50



I see just the box is $80 on zoro

 

[Snap-on_rich]

Thats a score!!

 

[alfredeneuman]

Well usually mount a 1900 box

I've seen welded 4-S (1900) boxes completely fall apart when the welded sides break.
Even the fancy Woodhead rubber box pictured on the cord reel has a gland type connector