• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

How many power sockets do you have and...

Michael,
Sounds both impressive and desirable.
You might consider adding an intake for the air exhaust immediately above the processors.
And if I had my way, I would have a small, rubylith masked light panel on/in a horizontal surface near the enlargers, for positioning negatives in carriers.
 
I have eightl, and a couple of power bars. I wish I had put more outlets in... my son is sparky, and he said he'd do it in a flash for me.
 

Great idea Matt, something like this: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1416812-REG/logan_electric_750218_a7a_slim_edge_light.html overlayed with this: https://store.abovegroundartsupplie...h-red-masking-film-15-x24--0-003ml-13167.html ?

Mike
 
Yes, although you probably don't need as high quality a light source, and may prefer something more dim.
 
OP
a few, and only on the dry wall ( none on the sink side/wet side )
not sure if you have "code" there but I would be careful where and how you string your electricity.
i've known people who suggested they were genius construction workers and electricians burn down their house because well, they weren't ...
i'd be very careful with food and drink in a darkroom... there are some photo chemicals that will just ruin your day,
but then again, if you are doing a mcflip 2520, run them doggies!
 
Wet side counter 11 feet and 5 duplex receptacles (circuit 1, GFI protected).
Dry side counter 11 feet and 6 duplex receptacles (circuit 2, GFI protected).
All mounted flush with drywall
Next time I will surface mount using conduit and boxes so I can easily adapt to changes in layout and equipment.

Room lights and safe lights on circuit 3.
 
I just checked. I have 16 sockets (8 doubles). I have 9 things that are always plugged in - enlarger, 2 timers, 3 safelights, under-cabinet light, music player, and air conditioner. I also have 4 things that are only plugged in when they are in use - dry-mount press, tacking iron, heater, and roller-base (for tube processing large format). The overhead lights are hard wired. (A tip: split the overheads into 2 circuits so they are not so blinding when you switch from total darkness.)
 

Wow, that's a chunky list!

I have 14 spread around, but that's because i also use the room as a portrait studio and office.

Strictly for dark room purposes i use only 5 sockets:

1. timer > enlarger
2 - 4. safe lights in key places.
5. Film/paper/chems/beer fridge.
 
You need to make a list of the current that each item uses.

Each socket that is fed individually to the fuse panel or circuit breakers has a limit on the current safely supplied. Exceed this and fuses blow or circuit breakers drop out.

Add up the total current that would be required to power the items that would be on at the same time.

You may need extra sockets fed direct to the fuse panel.

Enlarger , timer, dish heater, room heater, safelight, wireless etc. they all add up pretty quickly.

You cannot keep adding multi extension leads willy nilly.

Seek the safety advice of a decent electrician.
 
All I really need is an outlet for the safelight and timer because the enlarger is plugged into the timer, along w/ one outlet for the inspection light. Add one more for the microwave that's used for drying test strips. I'm not going to be using anything else in the darkroom other than playing some music.
 
Last edited:
I had fewer electrical consumers in my last darkroom than Jamie anticipates, and about 20 outlets sufficed. Most were protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter. The enlarger was on a voltage regulator. An air conditioner and portable electric heater kept the room, chemicals, and wash water at a usable temperature. This little darkroom in an outbuilding served well for over 30 years. It wasn't perfectly clean, but it did give me good experience in spotting prints.
 
Also think about the number of circuits you will need. In the USA, generally you can have 8-10 plugs on a circuit, (check your local electrical codes). I have 3 enlargers in my small darkroom, 8 plugs on 3 different circuits, each enlarger is on a different circuit. I have had my 5x7 cold light enlarger (high amp drain) activate the electronic timer on my 35mm enlarger when they were both on the same circuit, so I switched the 35mm to a different circuit. Also be aware that if you live in an area where the electrical grid is maxed out/overloaded you can have noticeable fluctuations in the voltage, voltage stabilizers can help no matter your grid load. I do wish I had added more plugs to my darkroom mainly so I don't have cords everywhere.
 
Last edited:
One can never have too many properly grounded power outlets in a darkroom in all the right places.
 
Cannot ignore the total load on the circuit...single US household circuit is limited to peak demand of 20A, and 15A constant load.
Add up the current drawn by ALL devices which are turned on at the same time
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register