Ac inlet

[Deepdark]

Hi there

I was looking at some options to make an ac inlet on a chassis. I know there is some way to cut out the hole for an IEC inlet, but there is also the kinda bushing that hold the ac cable into the chassis. I was looking for that one. Is there some of them that are round and easy to install, cut, etc. Thanks guys

 

[ln76d]

Hi,

the easiest way is to use Strain Relief Bushings, if you want a hanging cable.
Look into the drawing attached for IEC cutout. It's simple way.

 

[Deepdark]

Strain relief, that's what i was talking about. Is there some one that are all round and easy to install? The only one i saw was square at the base with a rounded top

 

[ln76d]

And exactly those with square base are easiest to install  in the round cutout 

 

[Deepdark]

Really, how do you cut out the hole?

 

[ln76d]

With a drill ;D

You just need typical round hole for that, not the exact cutout shape  .
Try first the same diameter as the base of bushing and the cable will expand blocking it.

 

[Deepdark]

Awesome, thanks a lot

Did mouser and digikey keep them stock?

 

[ln76d]

Ask mouser or digikey

 

[abbey road d enfer]

Strain relief, that's what i was talking about. Is there some one that are all round and easy to install? The only one i saw was square at the base with a rounded top

You may also want to check "cable glands". They're slightly more expensive but provide very positive retention and are very easy to install.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-glands/4443035/

 

[Youngwhisk]

Fliptops:

http://www.fliptops.net/


These are strain reliefs that work in round holes:

http://www.fliptops.net/catalog/p-100129/strain-relief-.500

http://www.fliptops.net/catalog/p-100130/strain-relief-.625

 

[Brian Roth]

Heyco sells a variety of sizes:

http://www.mouser.com/catalog/catalogusd/648/2057.pdf


Bri

 

[gyraf]

..but if using round holes, some other measures must be taken to prevent the cable rotating and eventually breaking/disastering..

Jakob E.

 

[Gene Pink]

..but if using round holes, some other measures must be taken to prevent the cable rotating and eventually breaking/disastering..

Jakob E.

This is true, if you look closely at those little plastic strain reliefs, they have flats on the sides.

When I use them for home projects, I cheat and run a step drill about two steps shy of the right size,  then force the bit sideways each way for the last two steps. Not perfect, but it does approximate an oval, and they won't spin.

Installation can be a bugger without the proper tool (is there a proper tool for these?).

Pliers or channel-loks on both inside and outside at the same time makes it easier. Grabbing only from the outside tends to rock the other end of the  smaller piece outward, and it is now too large to fit in the hole, as you are also fighting to compress the cable with what seems like a destructive amount of force.

Once they are in, they hold well enough, and I like the fact that they don't protrude out from the panel very far.

Note that they also make them for flat cable (jpeg).

Gene

 

[abbey road d enfer]

..but if using round holes, some other measures must be taken to prevent the cable rotating and eventually breaking/disastering..

Jakob E.

Cable glands eliminate this problem.

 

[Deepdark]

Thanks folks. Plenty of options here. I think the cable gland looks promising  8)

Just found them on digikey. http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/NG-9512/377-1631-ND/439540

I think the size would accomodate much ac cable.