Wire joining
Wire joining, heat-shrink covered
Another split joined
Finished Octopus cable, including joint covers
Often a number of equipment is needed on the same table, in close vicinity. The power socket may be located in less than optimal location, and usually is already overcrowded with other cables.
Due to usual close proximity of the devices on the table, a solution was chosen that integrated several power cords into one - the Octopus Cable.
It was decided that three plugs will be the optimal number. It was also decided that instead of splitting the cord in one place, two splits will be easier; there are only three wires in each joint, which is a fairly manageable number, and the diameter of the cable bundle is closer to the diameter of the cable itself, facilitating easier insulation of the assembly.
Three power cords were cannibalized for the task, on the cost basis; a short power cord costs less than the corresponding standalone plug.
The cords were cut and the individual wires were exposed and stripped. Each wire was cut in a different distance, so even if all the insulation was stripped off, the joints would still not come into close contact. (An old trick that you will learn to use after couple smoky sparkly surprises.) The joints were covered with a heat-shrink tube.
Each of the two Y-splits was also covered with a heat-shrink tube, this time the stronger kind (3x-shrink) with inner side coated with heat-melt adhesive. The tube, after being well-heated to thoroughly melt the glue, shrunk snugly to the cables. One more, shorter, piece of the heat-shrink tubing was then overlaid over the place where the two-cable side of the joint, for mechanical reinforcement so it would be more difficult to be pulled apart.
The cable is now in workshop use and proved to be highly satisfying.
Wire joining | Wire joining, heat-shrink covered | Another split joined | Finished Octopus cable, including joint covers |