Uni Project: Sliding Plug

[3LFM4N]

Hi, I'm a Product Design student and need your input on an idea of mine.

Basically I want to design a skirting board system for the home that has tracks in it to allow for a sliding plug.

Going on the principle of a Scaletrix track and how it uses a power pack to 'step down' the electricity in the race track to make it safe..

Could I do that for the track inside the skirting board and then in the plug box use the same kinda thing to 'step up' the electricity for appliances.

The plug box would link to the track via contacts.

Is this possible?

Sorry if I've not explained myself very well, any feedback would be greatly appreciated thank you!

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

As a project you could make it work. In the real world it would not as the current needed for the low voltage to then step up to mains would make it ridiculously high priced and bulky with large copper bars & transformers. Something similar is already on the market, but at mains voltage

http://www.mainlinepower.co.uk/

 

[3LFM4N]

thank you for you're reply

 

[Doc Hudson]

An addition point to note that sockets generally should not be mounted that low near to the floor. Typically they should be well above the average skirting board height. It is common within commercial application to have dado rail height movable trunking with socket outlets.

I am not sure of how much electrical science knowledge you have, but the theory that Slipshod refers to is that when transforming mains voltage to a lower voltage the current will rise in an equal proportion to the voltage reduction. Excluding a few losses due to component imperfections a transformer does not actually consume any power, so in an ideal world, the power going in is the same as the power coming out.

Power = Volts x Current; If you were plugging in a 1800watt hair dryer, at 230v it would draw 1800w/230v approx 7.8 amps. on the 12v transformed skirting track to carry the 1800watts you need conductors capable of carrying 1800w/12v = 150amps. or if you assume your clients must be able to plug in a full load 13amp plug that would need to be carrying approx 250amps @ 12v. Limiting equipment to lower power home entertainment, hi-fi, computing, games consoles etc, it may be feasible as a project. But for full unlimited use for any home appliance it would be prohibitively costly.

Doc H.

Doc H.

 

[OnOff]

Doesn't have the step up side for obvious reasons but sliding track thingys are nothing new:

http://www.gpsj.co.uk/view-article.asp?articleid=210