Outlet height

[poltroon]

We're adding some outlets near my barn area (hooray!) along with some hose bibs (hooray!). We're putting in a 12' 6x6 that will have the hose bibs on the non-horse side, a floodlight, outlets, and a tie ring. Eventually I should probably use the tie ring as half a cross tie, but it may also be used as just a regular tie point.

I'm thinking I'll put the outlets on the non-horse side, but how high? My first instinct is for 5', but will I be sorry? My thought is that it keeps cords high and all the electrical well away from the hose bib. On the other hand, that may be nose-height if a horse is tied there, and is there any ground-based equipment that would need an extension cord for that height? The outlet box is a bit wider than the post.

[deltawave]

Whatever you decide, make sure it's OK with the local code.

Ours are at 48", FWIW. Never felt like that was a problem.

[Gloria]

Don't remember the exact height of our outlets in the tack room but it is between 4'~5'. Oh put as many outlets as you can stand, probably every 5 feet, and at least one at each wall. You won't regret it. If they are close to water, make sure to get the water proof kind(can't remember the terminology...)

[greysandbays]

For me, I would put outlets between shoulder height and eye level. That way, I can put stuff along the wall and not have to craw behind that stuff when I want to plug things and, and I don't have to hunt for something to stand on either.

And I agree, as many outlets as you can stand. There is NO SUCH THING as "too many"!

[Alagirl]

I like my outlets at around 3-4 feet in height, to avoid bending over, lazy, I know.

However, consider cord length of items you will have to put on the floor, fans etc, so you won't cuss yourself later (do that more than needed, or cussing the bloges who put really short cords on stuff, usually with the advice to not use extentions....)

[poltroon]

Heh. Walls. We are not so advanced as to have walls. We have Post.

Okay, I'm leaning more towards 4' now.

I'm very excited about my new Post. The strange things that make a girl happy.

I think I'm going to ask for sand/rock for my birthday (again). :D

[BarnField]

I don't know if I'd tie a horse to the same post that had water and electric attached to it.
You might want to put another post adjacent to it for tying up a horse. Juuhhhst in case...

[EqTrainer]

I don't know if I'd tie a horse to the same post that had water and electric attached to it.
You might want to put another post adjacent to it for tying up a horse. Juuhhhst in case...

Ditto. FWIW, my electrical sockets are 6 1/2 feet up. I have to stand on things to get to them but the horses don't notice them. That was my point in putting them wayyyy up there :)

[MunchkinsMom]

I don't know if I'd tie a horse to the same post that had water and electric attached to it.
You might want to put another post adjacent to it for tying up a horse. Juuhhhst in case...

I was thinking the same thing. Unless that post is secured to the ground in cement, but even then I would reconsider it. For some reason I get a bad mental image of the horse pulling the post out, sparks and water flying. . . sorry.

In my center aisle barn, there are two outlets at each end of the aisle, that also has the light switch for the aisle lights, they have those flip up weatherproof covers over them, and the outlets are about 4 feet (shoulder height). Those are handy for plugging in the leaf blower, floor fans, and the farriers electric tools.

I had my husband install outlets on every post that supports the interior aisle side stall walls (4 total) at the top of the posts so I can plug in fans in front of each stall. Yes, I have to climb a step stool to reach them, but at least the horses can't reach them either.

[poltroon]

I don't know if I'd tie a horse to the same post that had water and electric attached to it.
You might want to put another post adjacent to it for tying up a horse. Juuhhhst in case...

I do have some concerns about that. It is set in concrete - 4' deep in concrete. It is a 6x6. It is not going anywhere.

The electrical and water will be on the backside of the post, away from the horse. I think we will have it adequately protected. If not, we will know it in no time - my pony has all day to think about ways to break things, and she's not slow to try out her new ideas.

I don't expect I would tie to it every day, but it would be my Post for anything where I was working with something electrical, like clippers.

In the long term, this will be a Post holding up a shed roof, and I'd like it to be half of a cross tie. For now, the only safe possible second tie point is across a 16' aisle, which is a little longer than I like for a cross tie.

I do have another post that I use as a tie point now, but it is not nearby.

[Bezysmom]

I think I'm going to ask for sand/rock for my birthday (again). :D[/QUOTE]

This is why I love horse people. Great gift ideas. Just ever got along with the jewelry as gifts crowd.

BTY my outlets are about four feet high. I don't like to bend over or stand on tip toe (vertically challenged). This puts them high enough to be comfortable to use and low enough to fit below the stall grills.

[Acertainsmile]

I also put my sockets high...probably around 6 1/2 feet (used for fans)... I have trouble reaching them even when standing on a bucket. Good thing my husband is tall! I have a regular placed one in the tackroom though, that I can plug clippers in by myself.

[MSP]

I went real scientific! I took a pencil and reached up as high as I could reach and made a mark. That is where I put my outlets for my stalls. Horses don't even know they are there and I can reach them.

Wash rack plug is on the wall just out side the wash rack area for obvious reasons probably 4' high. Feed room outlets are standard 16" from floor like a house.

[poltroon]

Thanks everyone for your input. Behold the Post, in all its glory. FIL came up with a really nice solution to protect the hose bibs - I think it's very elegant and will be effective. And, there just aren't that many people who can understand why I am so very happy about my new Post. :D

Horse side (http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/farmpix/IMG_9265.jpg)
Utility side (http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/farmpix/IMG_9290.jpg)

[BarnField]

I think that's pretty clever!