S.L. Waber 952M
S.L. Waber 952M
The S.L. Waber 952M is a three-outlet relocatable power tap manufactured by S.L. Waber and distributed as part of the Herman Miller Energy Distribution System for Panel System Type I office furniture installations. The documented example carries Herman Miller model designations EK410 and PK410 and was intended for use with AO and PG series panel systems.
Overview
The S.L. Waber 952M is a commercial-grade relocatable power tap designed for office furniture power distribution systems. Unlike consumer surge suppressors, the unit provides straightforward power distribution without surge suppression circuitry. The documented example was integrated into Herman Miller's Energy Distribution System and features a heavy-duty metal enclosure, three grounded NEMA 5-15R receptacles, and a long power cord intended for workstation and cubicle environments.
Documented Example
- OldSurge ID: OS-0022
- Manufacturer: S.L. Waber
- Integrated System: Herman Miller Energy Distribution System
- Model: 952M
- Part Number: XUL603-038A
- Herman Miller Model: EK410 / PK410
- Serial Number: Not Observed
- Manufacturing Date: Unknown
Specifications
- Manufacturer: S.L. Waber
- Product Family: Energy Distribution System Components
- Model: 952M
- Part Number: XUL603-038A
- Device Type: Relocatable Power Tap (RPT)
- Country of Origin: Assembled in Mexico
- Outlets: 3
- Protection: 15 Amp Resettable Circuit Breaker (Overload Protection)
- Electrical Rating: 15A, 120V, 60Hz Continuous Duty
- Power Cord Length: Approximately 9 ft
- Weight: 1 lb 9.6 oz (726 g)
- Plug Type: NEMA 5-15P
- Plug Style: Straight Blade
- Cord Type: SJT
- Conductors: 3
- Conductor Size: 16 AWG
Notable Characteristics
- Manufactured by S.L. Waber for integration into Herman Miller office panel systems.
- Heavy-gauge steel enclosure construction.
- Integral 15-amp resettable circuit breaker.
- Three grounded NEMA 5-15R receptacles.
- Approximately nine-foot SJT 16/3 power cord.
- Herman Miller mounting features incorporated into the enclosure.
- Rated 15A, 120V AC, 60Hz continuous duty.
Physical Characteristics
The documented example consists of a gray-painted steel enclosure fitted with three grounded NEMA 5-15R receptacles mounted on the upper surface. A Herman Miller identification label identifies the unit as part of the Energy Distribution System for Panel System Type I installations and specifies compatibility with AO and PG series panels.
A separate manufacturer label identifies the device as an S.L. Waber Model 952M Multiple Outlet Strip, part number XUL603-038A. The unit is rated for 15 amperes, 120 volts AC, 60 hertz continuous duty and was assembled in Mexico.
A 15-amp manually resettable circuit breaker is mounted at the power-cord entry end of the enclosure. The breaker provides overload protection while maintaining a simple non-surge-suppressing design.
The enclosure incorporates several formed mounting features on the underside that appear intended to interface with Herman Miller office panel-system hardware. These structures indicate that the unit was designed as an integrated workstation power-distribution component rather than as a free-standing consumer power strip.
The documented example utilizes an approximately nine-foot SJT 16/3 power cord terminated with a molded NEMA 5-15P grounding attachment plug. The relatively long cord length provides installation flexibility within modular office-furniture environments.
The Herman Miller identification label specifies compatibility with AO and PG series panel systems. The AO designation likely refers to Herman Miller's Action Office product line. The meaning of the PG designation has not yet been confirmed.
Photographs
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Overall view of the documented S.L. Waber 952M relocatable power tap distributed as part of the Herman Miller Energy Distribution System. -
Herman Miller identification label showing Energy Distribution System compatibility with Panel System Type I installations and AO or PG series panels. -
Top view showing three grounded NEMA 5-15R receptacles mounted in the steel enclosure. -
Side profile of the enclosure showing the low-profile steel construction and elevated outlet modules. -
End view showing the heavy-duty power cord, NEMA 5-15P plug, and rounded steel enclosure construction. -
Cord-entry end showing the integrated 15-amp resettable circuit breaker and power-cord strain relief. -
Close-up view of an underside mounting feature used to secure the unit within a Herman Miller panel-system installation. -
Additional detail of the underside mounting structure incorporated into the enclosure design. -
Heavy-duty approximately nine-foot power cord and molded grounding attachment plug. -
Cord markings showing SJT 16/3 construction and approval markings. -
Close-up of the molded NEMA 5-15P plug assembly.
Weight
The documented S.L. Waber 952M weighs approximately 1 pound 9.6 ounces (726 grams).
The relatively high weight reflects its steel enclosure construction, integrated 15-amp circuit breaker, and heavy-duty approximately nine-foot power cord.
Compared with typical consumer-grade power strips, the 952M exhibits substantially heavier construction consistent with commercial office-furniture power-distribution applications.
Condition Upon Acquisition
The documented example was acquired in complete and functional condition. Moderate dust accumulation was present on the enclosure, receptacles, and power cord, consistent with prolonged use in a commercial office environment. Minor cosmetic wear and scratches were observed, but no major damage or missing components were noted.
Functional Testing
The documented example was tested using a receptacle tester. All outlets exhibited correct wiring polarity and proper ground continuity. The integral 15-amp circuit breaker remained set during testing and no operational issues were observed.
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Receptacle tester indicating correct outlet wiring.
Date Codes
No manufacturing date has yet been identified. Examination of the enclosure, labels, cord markings, plug markings, and internal components did not reveal an obvious date code.
Further research and comparison with Herman Miller panel-system documentation may help establish a more precise manufacturing period.
Teardown
The enclosure is retained by four formed metal locking tabs integrated into the steel housing. The unit can be opened non-destructively by carefully releasing each tab with a small flat-blade screwdriver. Following documentation, the enclosure was reassembled and the tabs re-engaged without damage.
Internal construction is notably simple and robust. Power enters through a heavy-duty SJT 16/3 cord and passes through a resettable 15-amp circuit breaker before reaching the outlet assembly.
The three receptacles are connected by solid copper bus conductors that distribute the hot, neutral, and equipment-ground connections between outlets. No printed circuit boards are present.
No surge suppression or filtering components were observed. The unit contains no MOVs, capacitors, inductors, neon lamps, indicator LEDs, or transient-voltage-suppression devices. The design therefore functions strictly as a relocatable power tap intended to provide overload protection through its integral circuit breaker.
The receptacle assembly is interconnected using solid copper bus conductors rather than individual wire pigtails, reducing complexity while providing a robust current-carrying path between outlets.
Construction quality is consistent with commercial office-furniture power-distribution products and emphasizes durability, simplicity, and serviceability.
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Overall internal construction after removal of the enclosure cover. -
Internal wiring showing solid copper distribution conductors and receptacle assembly. -
Circuit breaker, cord termination, and copper bus conductors.
Historical References
Archived S.L. Waber material from the late 1990s documents the company's involvement in power-distribution products, OEM electrical assemblies, and custom power solutions.
By 2002, archived company websites displayed "Waber by Tripp Lite" branding, documenting the company's integration into the Tripp Lite product family while retaining the Waber name.
Notes
- Herman Miller model designation: EK410 / PK410.
- Intended for use with AO and PG series panel systems.
- S.L. Waber later became associated with Tripp Lite branding under the "Waber by Tripp Lite" name.
- The documented example is classified as a relocatable power tap rather than a surge suppressor.