UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

A REPORT ON THE DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF ELECTRICAL EXTENSION

BOARD

BY
ODIUSHOVWI GIFT OKEOGHENE
U2022/3020018

COURSE LECTURER: PROF. UYIGUE LUCKY

WORKSHOP DIRECTOR: ORIBI JOHNSON
COURSE TITLE: MANUFACTURING AND WORKSHOP PRACTICES
COURSE CODE: ENG 104.2

18TH DECEMBER, 2023

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ABSTRACT:
This is a report on the design and fabrication of a 3 socket power extension
unit with a 13 amperes current capacity containing 1 socket with USB port
embedded in it, having a 13 amperes current capacity and a digital voltage
display.
The main objective is to provide more plug space in terms of charging any
home appliances with three, two or even a USB port plug which can be
used anywhere due to its portability and having the digital voltage display,
displaying the amount of voltage in the extension to give the user the real
time readings of the voltage in the extension.
Ply wood, a digital voltage display, 13 amperage sockets and other
materials were utilized in the construction of this extension board..
Testing running confirmed the effectiveness and efficiency of the power extension
board in charging of devices like android phones and power banks and
simultaneously giving out the amount of voltage in the circuit through the
digital voltage display screen.
It discusses findings and suggests for improvement. In summary, this
innovative electrical extension board combines with a fitted USB port
socket and a digital voltage display to give a nice appliance and devices
charging experience, incorporating an environmentally friendly usage.

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MATERIALS USED:
1) NAILS: These were used to fasten the top surface to the woods in the middle and
from the middle woods to those at the bottom.

2) 13 AMP. PLUG: This served as the head used to plug to a wall outlet that allows
current flows into the extension board.

3) CABLE/ WIRES: This was used extensively in wiring the sockets and other
components to the 13 amp plug in other to allow current flow into them.

4) 430mm BY 100mm PLY WOOD: This formed the surface used for the
designing of where the sockets and digital voltage reader will be fitted
through in the designing and fabrication of the extension board.

5) DIGITAL VOLTAGE DISPLAY: This displays the amount of voltage

across board at all time when the board has current flowing through it.

6) EDGE TAPE (WHITE): This material formed a neat and nice finishing on the sides of
the extension thereby making it look presentable.

7) GLUE: This aided the taping of the edge of the board with a white
edge tape to make the body of the extension look presentable.

8) NORMAL WOODS: These formed the bottom part of the extension

board and it had the same measurement to that of the ply wood used
for the top surface. In-between the top surface and the bottom, extra
woods were inserted to give space when inserting the sockets and
digital voltage display in line with running the wiring connections.

9) 13 AMP SOCKETS WITH AND WITHOUT USB PORT: These components are served
as the outlets through which we can plug and have our devices and appliances
charged.

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TOOLS USED:
I employed a variety of hand tools, likewise machine tools from the workshop to
ensure a swift and efficient completion of the project.

1. HAMMER: This tool was useful during the driving of nails into the woods to fasten
them to each other.

2. TRY SQUARE: This component helped in making sure that the lines being traced out
during the designing stage were straight and not bending.

3. POWER DRILL: This tool played a major role in the fabrication of the top surface of
the extension board; here holes were made according to the dimensions of the
sockets and other appliances that were to be inserted into the extension board.

4. HAND FILE: It was used to smoothen the inner sides of the plywood
during the designing and fabrication session.

5. ELECTRIC JIG SAW: This tool aided the finally cutting out of the
marked dimensions that were on the ply wood to fit the other
components. It cuts out shapes nicely when handled well.

6. HAND PLANES: This tool was used to smoothen the sides of the
normal woods that were about to be tapped using the edge tapes.
.
7. RETRACTABLE TAPE: This tool was used in the taking of the various
components accurate measurements so as to avoid errors during
fabrications.

8. SCREW DRIVERS: This aided the fastening of the various screws to

the sockets that were fastened to the top and bottom surfaces of the
extension

PROCEDURES:

The Body Structures

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• The first step was to make a design of how the sockets and the
digital voltage display would look like and where they ought to be
positioned. After which accurate dimensions of the lengths and
widths of the sockets and voltage displays and the spaces that
are to be left out in other to accommodate fitting of the other
sockets were taken. A suitable design and unique structure,
appealing to the eyes evolved. It had good balance and fitted well with
other components.
• After the design, I drafted it out on paper, took all the accurate
dimensions and replicated it on the plywood surface. I ensured
that the spaces that were meant to be there are put in place to
foster a smooth fabrication.
• Next, i went to the drilling machine part to drill out perfect holes
that would make it easier to get the required cut out. So the power
drill machine was plugged to a power source and holes were
drilled in the plywood at the needed sides.
• After the drilling, I connected the jig saw machine to a power
source, so as to be able to use and carry out the needed
fabrications. So, the jig saw was placed perfectly in the various
holes that were drilled and a square shaped cut-outs were
formed, which was the needed area to fit in the various
components.
• I fastened the top plywood that has been drilled to that of the
bottom wood that serves as the base of the extension. While
joining them, I took out a little space that would allow the power
cable to run from the digital voltage display to the socket plug
head.
• Afterwards, I proceeded to smoothen the edges of the joined board
using the hand plane. And this made the body of the extension to
become ready for the next process of taping it.
• I took an accurate measurement of the total sides of the board
after planning the board, and this measurement was used to cut out
the required size of the edge tapper. I applied glue on the
smoothened

sides of the board and left it for 15 minutes. Also, the edge
tapper was glued and left to dry for 15 minutes. After the elapse
of the time allocated for them to dry, an edge tapper was pressed
together with the board sides and ensured the two stuck together.

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 Thereafter, I made sure that an excess from the length of the
edge tapper is being cut off.
• The next thing I did was to cut out the required length of
connecting wires as we were in the stage of wiring. The sockets were
also unscrewed from the coverings/body to allow passage of
connecting wires. The wiring was a parallel type of wiring. The
wiring was from the digital voltage display down to the socket
with the USB-PORT then to the 3 sockets without the USB-PORT
slots before it was connected finally to the cable to be joined to
the 13 amperes plug.
• Everything was in place and the final screwing in of nails to the
sockets peripherals to be held firm to the extension board was
carried out using a long screw driver. And then the plug head
also was coupled and the extension became ready for use.

OBSERVATION:
I was given the task of creating an electrical extension board having a
digital voltage display and a socket with USB port which allows users to
charge their electronic devices simultaneously while using the electrical
outlets.

The USB port sockets complies with standard USB charging specifications
and are compatible with various devices such as smartphones, tablets and
other USB –powered devices.

I observed that the digital voltage displays are bright, clear, and easy to read.
They accurately display the voltage level of the electrical power being
delivered through the power extension. The voltage display should have an
auto-detection featureto choose the appropriate voltage display unit based
on the region it is being used in

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(e.g., volts, amps.). Also it has update to real-time, allowing users to
monitor fluctuations in voltage levels and identify potential electrical issues
or unstable power supply.

The power extension with the USB port socket and digital voltage display
has a built-in surge protection to safeguard connected devices in case of
excessive current flowing through the USB port. The design is made to
ensure that users are safe while using the extension.

CONCLUSION: Having invested time, energy and much work into the design,
fabrication and ascertainment that the extension board is functional and working, I
recommend it to people to buy and use at home as it is effective, durable, versatile and
user-friendly. Massive production of this equipment is a task worth venturing into, as it
solves the some of the problems of the populace .

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