Article tools sponsored by

You Can Get Scrooged Opening a Trap Door

By Design News Staff -- Design News, December 5, 2005

Ever try opening an attic door in the ceiling at the top of the stairs with your hands full of stuff? Try spelling headache! So Larry installed a 12V motor with a cable shaft in the attic and attached the cable to the door. Limit switches stop the motor when the door is fully open and closed, and a converter ensures the correct voltage to the motor. Larry can now activate the door from the bottom of the stairs.

Click here for the wiring diagram. Open Sesame! Parts List
Amt	Part Description	Allied Part #
1	Rocker Switch	863-0152
2	Snap Action Limit Switch	821-0219
1	14GA Stranded Wire	293-460N
10	Female Space Connectors	534-1213
2	Butt Splices	534-0695
1	Switch Encloser	883-0910
1	Cable Connector	534-0913
1	1 inch Corrugated Flexible Conduit	534-9120
Additional parts required: 12V reversible motor with cable shart; 0.125-inch-diameter steel cable; 0.125-inch upbolt cable clamps (2); 0.250-inch eye bolt and nut; 120V ac/12V dc power supply

related stories
resource center
by this author

View more articles by Staff Staff

Technology Marketplace

Article tools sponsored by

Talkback

I believe that the wiring diagram has an error. One of the limit switches should be moved to...
- 2007-12-18 07:37:35
As my friends and family get older, they need help like this. My grandma is the one who needed...
- 2006-03-07 09:11:50
Why not build a dumb waiter instead?
- 2006-02-08 14:26:06

» MORE

DN's Resource Center Get Free Information, Made Easy

Catalysts for Innovation
Hewlett Packard | Design Guide
Request Item
Product Lifecycle Management
Hewlett Packard | Design Guide
Request Item

View all DN resources >>

Design News Partner Zones

JUNE 24TH WEBCAST: Collaborative Requirements Engineering
Speed your innovation. Capture the "voice of the customer" and translate customer requests into user requirements that define new products. Find out why the new ENOVIA Requirements Management solution enables organizations to improve their overall global requirements management process. Read More

Light Matters: Systems Level Approach to HBLED illumination applications
Its good practice to apply a systems-level approach to high-brightness LED (HBLED) illumination applications. Minimally, the system includes the optical, thermal and electrical characteristics of the of the HBLED, the lens (if any) which is built-in to its package, secondary optics such as external plastic lenses/reflectors to direct the light as your application requires and power driver electronics. Read More

Design Engineers' Portal for Sensing and Machine Safety
Whatever industry you're in, or whatever product you manufacture, the right sensors to automate your plant, and to improve your overall efficiency, quality and safety are a must. You'll find Banner Engineering to be an amazing resource of products, training and people with expertise.