Addressable power-strip safety thought - London Hackspace

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Message from discussion Addressable power-strip safety thought
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Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:05:25 +0100
From: "Peter \"Sci\" Turpin" <s...@sci-fi-fox.com>
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To: london-hack-space@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [london-hack-space] Re: Addressable power-strip safety thought
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That sounds like a good idea. If we laser-cut lids from, say, 10mm clear 
polycarbonate it seems like it'd be strong enough to handle occasional 
tugs but not wear on the cables passing through slots. I say clear since 
there were activity indicator lights that would be needed for diagnostic 
checks.

> How about if the box that covers the power strip has enough gap such
> that a yank of a cable will pull it from the socket but leave the plug
> itself still loose inside the box cover?
>
>
> I am also encouraged that these power strips are being considered for
> general RFID card activation for particular machines.  While we don't
> need to consider preventing other devices being plugged in in this case
> since there wouldn't be a UPS behind it, we may need to box in the power
> strip to prevent people from moving a cable from a socket for a tool
> they are not cleared to use to a socket for one they are cleared for.
> The idea of making the box a little bigger so that the box doesn't hold
> the cables plugged in would work for this as well as the UPS fronted PDUs
>
>
> Simon
>
>
> On Tuesday, 25 September 2012 17:22:33 UTC+1, artg...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
>     Sounds very constraining.  There are some devices that wouldn't mind
>     being used in particular locations (minilathe, welder, compressor) but
>     plenty that would be awkward (circular saw, angle grinder, router).
>
>     -adrian
>
>     On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 5:17 PM, Peter "Sci" Turpin
>     <s...@sci-fi-fox.com <javascript:>> wrote:
>      > The idea is that it would enable any tool to be tied into the
>     access-control
>      > system. Each socket on the strip can be remotely turned on or off
>      > apparently.
>      >
>      > As I understand it the idea is to ensure people using mains
>     powered tools
>      > are actually trained in using them. So use your access card to
>     turn on a
>      > tool, if you're trained the plug it's connected to will come on.
>     Only works
>      > though if the tool can't simply be moved to another active socket.
>      > I doubt it'll go on every single tool, probably just the more
>     specialised
>      > ones.
>      >
>      > Hmm, though it does raise the point of how to turn it off again.
>     Timed? Must
>      > be deactivated by initial user or loose tool privilege?
>      >
>      >
>      > On 25/09/2012 16:28, Adrian Godwin wrote:
>      >>
>      >> If the power plug is captive, that would leave a bare wire when the
>      >> workshop's turned back on. Nobody will be patient enough to wait
>     for a
>      >> keyholder to remove the cord, they'll tape it up at best.
>      >>
>      >> Not really sure what problem this is solving. Why should the
>     leads be
>      >> captive ?
>      >>
>      >> -adrian
>      >>
>      >> On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 4:24 PM, Monty <mont...@gmail.com
>     <javascript:>> wrote:
>      >>>
>      >>> Step 1) Kill the power to all workshop or entire strip (it's an
>      >>> catastrophic
>      >>> emergency afterall)
>      >>> Step 2) Cut the power cord of the tool in question.
>      >>> Step 3) Leave a note.
>      >>>
>      >>>
>      >>>
>      >>> On Tuesday, 25 September 2012 16:13:46 UTC+1, Sci wrote:
>      >>>>
>      >>>>
>      >>>> I mentioned the idea on Saturday night that perhaps caging-in
>     these
>      >>>> strips (a box to contain plugs but with wire-access slots and
>     a padlock)
>      >>>> would be the simplest way of stopping people from bypassing
>     the socket
>      >>>> allocations, rather than soldering tools in permanently.
>      >>>>
>      >>>> Something that's occurred to me is the issue of tool failure.
>     If a tool
>      >>>> fails catastrophically (bursts into flames, say), or someone
>     gets a
>      >>>> serious shock then the power needs to be disabled instantly.
>      >>>>
>      >>>> Each addressable power strip is going to need it's own
>     emergency-off
>      >>>> button. Seems the only way to make them safe and still limit a
>     tool to a
>      >>>> particular power socket. Fumbling for an access card to shut
>     it off via
>      >>>> RFID would take too long in such circumstances.
>      >>
>      >>
>      >
>
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