Pimp your desk

Q: I’d love one of those in-desk power outlets that come standard in cubicles and hotel room workstations for my office area at home.  Is there a way to install one that doesn’t require me to be an electrician or master carpenter?

A:  Ah, the convenience of not having to bend over and scavenge for a power outlet under your desk.  A common solution to this is to simply mount a surge protector to the wall above your desk; however, it’s not nearly as classy as having a single outlet at your fingertips, flush-mounted right in your desk or tabletop.  Luckily, there is a way to install an outlet in your workspace that is easy, inexpensive, and the only power tool required is a household electric drill.

If you are planning to install an outlet into your desk or table top, you need to be sure that the area in question is made of the right material and that it’s unobstructed.  If your desk has a drawer beneath where you want to put your outlet, or if your desk is made of glass, you’re out of luck and will have to sit this project out.  Ideally, your desk/table top is made of wood or wood composite and is about 1 ½” thick.

Gather your materials: You will need one male and one female industrial 3-wire connector,

a length of 14/3 or 16/3 electrical wire (long enough to run from your desk to your wall outlet),

a hole saw for your drill (about 1 ½”),

a tube of 5 Minute Epoxy, a small foam brush, and a 1 gang single plate.

The first step is to attach the male and female plugs to your length of wire.  On each end, strip a bit of insulation off all three wires, give each a little twist between your fingers, and screw them down to the terminals located inside the plug.  You will most likely need to remove a screw or two to get the plug open, once you do it will be easy to locate and screw down the terminals.  Be sure to attach the green wire to the terminal associated with the ground on each plug.  That will be either the round hole in the female end or the round peg on the male end.  The black and white wires can be attached to either of the remaining terminals.  Be sure that none of the wires are making contact with their neighbors.  When you are finished, you will see that you have created a glorified extension cord.  Test it by plugging it into a wall outlet and then plug a lamp into it.  If the lamp works, you have successfully completed the first step.

Now, lets make a hole in your desk.  Your hole saw should be equal to the diameter of your plug.  This tends to be in the 1 ½” range (the plug I have measures 1 3/8”).  It’s ok if you can only find a hole saw that is slightly larger than your female connector.  It is NOT ok if the hole saw is smaller, if it is, time to go shopping for a larger hole saw.  Find the perfect spot on your desk for your outlet and carefully drill your hole through the desk. 

Next, mix up some of your 5 Minute Epoxy and brush it around the outside of the female connector.  Insert the plug up through the desk from underneath until it’s flush with the surface; keep a wet rag handy to wipe away any excess adhesive that may (will) ooze out.  Hold the connector in place while the glue dries, this should only take a minute or two (I heart 5 Minute Epoxy!).  After the glue has dried, install your single outlet cover on your desk over the outlet and screw it in place.  Finally, run the cord neatly over to your power source and plug it in.  Enjoy your new, electric outlet enhanced, workspace… but please, resist the urge to stick pennies in there.

*Note:  This project can be easily applied to other pieces of furniture around the house where having a spare, easily accessible outlet can come in handy like entertainment centers or bar/serving areas.

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