I have a project that needs an AC power cord mounted through an enclosure. What is the best way to mount it so it looks professional? I would rather do something than just drill a hole and push the wire through.
Is there something I can pick up at Radio Shack?
The most common economical method is to use a 'strain relief' fitting. This is a device that is sized correctly for the ac cord size you are using and locks the cable to the fitting, in turn the fitting will snap in and lock to the correctly sized hole you drill into your box to accept the fitting. They are cheap and work well, however I don't know if RS still carries them, other outlets do:
Lefty
The "best looking" solution is an IEC (C13/C14) inlet & cord.
You can get the IEC inlets as "raw" jacks or with a filter built in (Corcom, etc.) from surplus suppliers, etc.
If you don't have one, get a nibbling tool - it's used to make square holes and such.
Funny, but as I just got done with a project pertaining to the subject at hand, so I took a few pictures.
Here are the links --
retrolefty:
The most common economical method is to use a 'strain relief' fitting. This is a device that is sized correctly for the ac cord size you are using and locks the cable to the fitting, in turn the fitting will snap in and lock to the correctly sized hole you drill into your box to accept the fitting. They are cheap and work well, however I don't know if RS still carries them, other outlets do:http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/600/Strain-Reliefs/1.html
Lefty
This is what I was thinking, but none of these fit my plastic box walls. The walls are 1/8" thick, and these are all for thin metal enclosures. sigh
Lots of things
will fit through 1/8_in plastic.
Drill a bunch of holes and file out the rest. That's easy.
If you're careful you can use a drill like a mill on ABS, etc; just cut with the part closest to the chuck.