Shore Power Cart — Rolling AC Strip w/ Load Meter & Staged Outlets
Studio-clean power anywhere: main switch, surge protection, real-time watts, and banks you flip from heavy → light.
What You’re Building
15A or 20A branch
Type-3 SPD strip
Watt/Amp/Volt meter
3 outlet banks
Rolling cart
Plug-in mobile distro for PCs, cameras, lights, chargers, monitors — not for heaters/AC/fridges.
Safety First
- Use UL-Listed strips/SPDs and meters; no unlisted mains hacks. UL 1363
- No daisy-chaining power strips; one cord to one wall receptacle.
- Overcurrent devices protect the wire: size breakers for conductor ampacity.
- GFCI where required; inspect cords before use.
Refs: UL, NEC 210/240, OSHA 1910.304/.334. See Sources below.
Parts
- Rolling utility cart (steel/ABS) + cable hooks
- 12 AWG SJTW shore cord (20A build) or 14/12 AWG (15A)
- DIN-rail 15A/20A main breaker or listed master switch
- Type-3 surge-protected strip (metal body preferred)
- Load meter: Kill-A-Watt plug meter or UL-listed DIN/panel kWh meter
- Industrial outlet boxes or multi-bank strip with separate switches
- Strain reliefs, ferrules, labels, hardware
Layout & Staging
Divide outlets into three labeled banks for sane startup:
- Bank A — HEAVY: PCs, lights with inrush
- Bank B — MEDIUM: monitors, chargers
- Bank C — LIGHT: router, USB
Power-on sequence: A → B → C.
Wiring Snapshot
[ Shore Cord 5-15P / 5-20P or L5-20P ]
|
[ Strain Relief ]
|
[ MAIN 15A/20A Breaker/Switch ]
|
[ kWh / Watt Meter (UL-listed) ]
|
[ Type-3 SPD Strip ] --> Bank A (HEAVY)
--> Bank B (MEDIUM)
`-> Bank C (LIGHT)
Meter upstream reads total load. Grounds remain continuous; follow meter manual.
Build Steps
- Mount & route. Install main breaker/switch box and meter; fit cord grip/strain relief.
- Main in. Hot from cord → breaker line; breaker load → meter line in. Neutral/ground per meter manual.
- Meter out. Feed the Type-3 SPD strip; from there, feed your three banks with labeled switches.
- Dress & label. HEAVY / MEDIUM / LIGHT; add total amp limit sticker (15A or 20A).
- Test. Polarity/ground check, meter reads volts, then add loads and verify amps/watts under limit.
Use It Right
- Stay < 12A on 15A circuits for continuous loads (80% rule); < 16A on 20A.
- Stage loads: A → B → C. Watch the watt/amp display.
- Heaters/AC/fridges: plug directly to the wall, not the cart.
Don’t
- No daisy-chain strips or cords through walls/ceilings.
- No unlisted meters or “mystery” modules on mains.
- No wet locations. Keep it dry and upright.
Sources & Standards (quick)
- UL 1363 Relocatable Power Taps (power strip standard) — UL overview; use listed strips. [oai_citation:20‡UL Solutions](https://www.ul.com/services/power-strips-testing-and-certification?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- OSHA 1910.334 Use of equipment (inspect cords/portable gear); 1910.304 wiring & receptacles. [oai_citation:21‡OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.334?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- NEC Article 240 Overcurrent protection; NEC Article 210 branch circuits & receptacles. [oai_citation:22‡ECM Web](https://www.ecmweb.com/national-electrical-code/code-basics/article/21243025/overcurrent-protection?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- OSHA interpretation: strips for low-power loads; no high-watt appliances on power strips. [oai_citation:23‡OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2002-11-18?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Load meters: Kill-A-Watt manuals; UL-listed DIN/panel meters (examples). [oai_citation:24‡images10.newegg.com](https://images10.newegg.com/UploadFilesForNewegg/itemintelligence/P3%20International/watt_meter_manual1453363759659.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Always follow your device manuals & local code. When in doubt, hire a licensed electrician.
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