Online electrical supply house?

[StaggeringGoat]

I'm realizing more and more that Home depot/lowes and even the local hardware store doesn't have what I want/need when it comes to commercial/industrial type electrical stuff. Obviously that isn't where the electricians shop. The population in my area is small and I don't know of any special electrical supply places around me.

Is there any kind of online electrical supply house where I can find and order just about anything I need? For example, I'm looking for a small 3 phase subpanel, the guy at lowes laughed at me. Where do I buy such a thing? And the 3 phase breakers that go in it? 3 phase outlets? I'm picky about all the outlets and switches and such in my shop that they all be commercial grade, and I can't find alot of them...

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Where do you live? Maybe some guys local to you can suggest an electrical supply house. I live in a medium sized city, and I can think of 4 in town, and I'm not an electrician!

 

[nehog]

... For example, I'm looking for a small 3 phase subpanel, the guy at lowes laughed at me. Where do I buy such a thing? And the 3 phase breakers that go in it? 3 phase outlets? ...

And you're surprised that HD and Lowes laughed?

Look in the yellow pages, or google for local electrical supply houses. If you go in most will sell to you, however it depends on the state rules on sales tax too (some wholesale suppliers are not setup to collect sales tax, and must sell to a reseller who would then collect the sales tax. Here in NH that ain't a problem!)

And don't forget three phase wall switches!

 

[antolod]

Not sure where you are located, but these guys ship everywhere I think. http://www.galesburgelectric.com/home.php

 

[7echo]

Grainger has some electrical supplies...


http://www.grainger.com/

 

[theoldwizard1]

I usually browse the manufacturers online catalog (Square D, RACO, Carlon, etc) then use Google shopping to compare prices. You might be surprised how many times Amazon come up with the lowest price (with shipping).

Some of the smaller hardware store chains will ship to a store near you for no charge.

 

[ddawg16]

Grainger has some electrical supplies...


http://www.grainger.com/

Grainger or McMaster Carr

 

[ibedayank]

www.delcity.net
all the little stuff and more
shrink tubing
switches
outlet boxes
tools

 

[dittle fart around]

On the west coast try Platt Electric
http://www.platt.com/

 

[jeffmoss26]

We have Graybar, Rexel, and probably a dozen local supply houses with multiple locations throughout the city.

 

[Roots]

Grainger and McMaster Carr are great for industrial tools, supplies, facilities maint, common electrical equipment, etc. They're also great at sourcing product, however some more specialized distributors might be worthwhile to also keep in mind like Newark or Graybar as previously mentioned. Especially if you're sort of "browsing" their catalogues to find stuff.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Especially if you're sort of "browsing" their catalogues to find stuff.

Exactly...I can't just go in and wander around somewhere like grainger like you can at home depot. "What do you need?" "I'm not sure yet!"

Thanks for the replies everyone. Man 3 phase stuff is expensive.....