Ask Engadget: best method or product for organizing wall outlets?
By Darren Murph 
posted April 9th 2010 1:03AM
posted April 9th 2010 1:03AM
You heard the man, help him! Anyone know of any consumer-friendly power strips that allow for larger wall warts? Any tricks the trade to maximizing space down there? Sharing is caring, y'all."I am absolutely dying to know what the best product(s) are to maximize and organize power outlets. I have 9 cables at one outlet (big nest of cables). I ran out of space there and had to go to a completely different wall to find 2 more vacancies. That's without actually plugging in everything I would like to. I'm not a fan of having to compromise but when it comes to outlets, I'm being beat! Help me Engadget!"
The squid!
@staticjeth Yes! The squid! Anyone remember the brand of those things?
@iCello The technology was bought by Philips.
http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Philips-PowerSquid-5-outlet-Surge-Suppressor/3229162/product.html
@Jf that thing is a rip. i bought something exactly like the squid last year during christmas for 5 bucks. it has 5 tentacles and 4 sockets on the base itself. the only downside is that it's green like the christmas lights but whatever it's hidden. i now wish i had splurged on a few of them. they also have a socket lock so kids can't unplug them. im currently using it to run a very large tv, an xbox, a wii, a 5.1 surround and a computer.
@v3xx I have to wonder what sort of connected equipment warranty those come with. My guess would be $0. At that price it's also very unlikely that it contains any sort of surge protection - it's probably just a power strip. I would hesitate to connect any "heavy duty" electronics to ANYTHING I picked up for $5.
That said, for products with wall warts where the typical worst-case scenario is a burnt out transformer (ie: $100 printer, USB HUB, cell phone charger, etc) it might be a budget-conscious way to get a lot of plugs for said wall warts on the cheap. For my desktop, monitors, laptop, and anything else with a price tag over $500 I would spring for something with some surge protection at least - even the $15 strips from Wal-Mart.
@staticjethro I hear there's this newfangled invention called the "power strip." Maybe you should check it out.
@Spiraling Shape Sorry I meant to direct that to deciBels
@mythgarr eh, i've never had an issue with a power surge in my life. i have a ups between the plug and my computer so i feel safe there but i dont think i'll have any issues with the other stuff. although now i probably just jinxed all my electronics.
@staticjethro
I've found this cheap little product very handy in saving my power strips from those horrid power blocks. Only 7$ too!
http://www.blackbox.com/Store/Results.aspx/search-epxr18%60%60si_product/p-0/sort-p_sku_qtybought-desc
@v3xx I once had lightning strike a transformer in my neighborhood. It blew a router (or at least it's transformer) and fried two network cards that were connected to it. Also some other wall warts for various other electronics and even the transformer on the doorbell.
@Grendel MTL That Y cable is only $1.58 at monoprice.com. Plus, the monoprice one has thicker gauge wire.
@Cole As far as lightning, no device can ever really protect you from a direct strike. High enough voltage will turn most insulators (such as air) into conductors.
HA! and they told me Sky Mall would never come in handy!
http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102473029
Try one of these:
http://www.bluelounge.com/cablebox.php
@abedinthehouse
of corse, you'll need a power surge...Belkin has some good ones:
http://belkin.com/IWCatSectionView.process?Section_Id=201475
I personally use this one, it works wonders, a power heater I have used to put out the whole power in one room when it is on and someone turned on the micro-oven (in the kitchen)----this one stopped that from happening:
http://belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=300414
@abedinthehouse
Sorry, this list of power surges have more selections:
http://belkin.com/IWCatSectionView.process?Section_Id=205837
and this is the one I actually use:
http://belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=329545
@abedinthehouse
+1 that looks awesome I'll take one in black.
@abedinthehouse
It's best to stick with the tried and true. Belkin used to be one of the best but since they basically went under and had their name resurrected by a completely different company I steer clear of most of their stuff. This strip from APC has 11 outlets (6 for warts and 5 for standard) as well as surge suppression for RJ45/RJ11 and COAX.
http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=176
Or you could add a UPS strip like this one with 10 outlets (6 regular and 4 warts)
http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=21
You'll pay more for them up front but you'll be glad you did if there is ever a power surge.
@abedinthehouse Those boxes, and many of their other products, are really nice. I will definitely look into them.
Well, buy a power strip, then some of those small extention cords with three plugs. Then buy the three way splitters and attach at least one splitter per extention.
Seeing as you won't be running ALL the stuff at once, you should be okay.
@Dr Blight
Or just dumps some kerosene on it and toss a match in - that'd work good too...
Want to recommend this Belkin one. http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=329545.
Holds 12 plugs (6 being large ones, but the rest are spaced good as well) and has a good connected equipment warranty.
Dell has had them for about 18 bucks including shipping off an on for the last few weeks on their website. Price is good and the 3 i got work great... now if there was only some way to get rid of these cables all together.
@version3
This is the same product I recommended earlier. As for organizing the cables, also try the first link I posted for a Cable Box...it works well, for covering up ALL your cables AND the power surge together inside one decently looking box.
http://www.bluelounge.com/cablebox.php
PS. People should read earlier posts before they make recommendations on these threads so others don't have to read the same things over and over again, if your recommendation is similar to one already posted, just +1 that post.
@abedinthehouse Judging from the time stamps, he was typing up his post while you posted yours
Woot frequently features the squid, works well for me
@abedinthehouse Here, make it easy and suggest one product to do both:
http://www.belkin.com/surgeprotection/concealed/
@Edward351 That looks like a very innovative all-in-one solution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O44WM1Q9H8
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/the-outlet-wall.jpg
@zomg0t
+1
That is epic!
@zomg0t
I feel sorry for the electrician that had to look after that!
I like the power liberators
http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/SearchAll.asp?search=liberator&gps=178&category=Power+Strip+Liberator+Cables&sort=popular
I prefer Tesla based technology.
http://www.eubiq.com/
@Franky Franky
That's beautiful. Wish there was an elegant solution for US standard equipment.
@domhnall I'm quite surprised that it is available for US use. Pity. I'm currently using it and it keeps my desk really neat.
@domhnall
It says US outlet available soon.
http://www.eubiq.com/index.php?id=368
That is a damn nice looking system.
@Franky Franky Very fancy, but I'm guessing expensive. I'm not seeing any prices so that probably means "too much if you have to ask".
1. Buy a good powerstrip with a surge protector.
2. Mount it on the wall out of site but with easy access
3. Use wire ties to clean up wires
4. ??????
5. PROFIT!
@Anticrawl Who doesn't do that already? I figured that technology and thinking had hopefully evolved past that by this point XD I'm hoping for something a bit more efficient, affective, and svelte.
Furman PL-8 series 2 is what I use for my home studio. It cleans your power nicely and has multiple outlets both front and back. It looks nice too. I use two racks for the PC, Mac and Pro Tools set up. I got them at Guitar Center when Guitar Center was a thriving force in the game.
@mrsantovalentino Those are the sorts of things I'll be looking for when I am ready to upgrade the power source to my audio equipment. A bit overkill until then though. Will keep them in mind for that eventual upgrade!
Use a regular power strip/surge protector. Buy several short power extensions they are usualy 6 inches long cost $5 each and then ou have all the outlets available. I bought mine in the supermarket (Price Chopper) for crying out loud on sale $2 each!
@dranon Right idea, but you're paying too much. $0.74 each at monoprice.com.
I say go for a simple UPS (uninterruptible power supply) because it provides so many functions in one, powers devices as needed and works as a surge protector/battery backup. I got a cheap one for $40 (Black Friday), run it from a GFCI outlet (old wiring, wanted more protection from failure) and pull surge protectors off of it. So I end up with like 10 battery protected outlets, plus the 4 non-protected (that I don't use). Before anyone get's all huffy about adding power strips to a UPS system, I have an LCD readout (yes for $40 it has an LCD) and my capacity is only at 55% running 3 hard drives, 24" iMac, all in one printer, cable modem, USB hubs, speakers, lights, mouse dock, etc. all from one outlet. So go buy a UPS and some surge protectors.
I have power squids, greatest thing ever, I find them on sale for about $20 now and again, and I pick up a couple every time. they always come in handy.
to answer the uneducated guesses above, they are in fact a very good surge protector with a half mil ($500,000) limited warranty for connected products.
Make your own squids for cheap using this and a power strip:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10228&cs_id=1022802&p_id=5296&seq=1&format=2
What I did was to get a Wiremold Plugmold 8 outlet from Home Depot.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xh3/R-100657490/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
I built a 6 inch by 6 inch trough the length of my computer desk and put the strip in it. I use a UPS off of the Wiremold and a extra power strip that is surge protected. Pu the wall warts into the big strip and the computer, monitor and printer into the UPS or surge protector.
@johnpombrio Interesting DIY idea. Sadly, I am currently without tools beyond a soldiering iron and basic non-powered hand tools =X
Ha! Sorry, I've been really busy so I haven't had a chance to read or even notice until now. I am currently using a 3 splitter at one plug, then a surge protecting power strip at the upper plug. Then a 3 plugged extension chord to the other outlet. I am "organized" as best I can be with this many cables using one of those IKEA under desk cable organizers but that only can do so much. You guys really don't want to see how bad it looks. Being an EE, I'm embarrassed for myself.