In my closet there is an access panel which formerly was used to access the attic. There is a new access hole in the hallway with steps.
The old access is covered up from the top with the attic floor. The hole is 16 by 18 inches with a wood paneling door that rests on the trim to keep it shut; tto open just remove one piece of trim and slide the door.
I recently put pieces of wood up there to make a shelf. I am planning to place an old laptop up there for a server but I somehow I need to get power up there. I know it is definitely against code to put an outlet in the panel so what are my other options? There is no outlet in the closet or in the attic so I'm stuck. I was thinking of running a D.C. cable through the wall to an old laptop power adapter somewhere in the room. Does that seem safe? Any suggestions or code violations are welcome.
Best Answer
Besides having chosen possibly the most hostile environment to run a laptop, you have an advantage in using a laptop...it probably has a wall wart transformer and some lower voltage lead that actually goes to the laptop. Since this is low voltage wiring it is much easier to run and not (usually) restricted by code.
So, the right thing to do, if you insist on the location, is to plug the transformer into some outlet relatively nearby and run the low voltage wiring from there to the laptop. This may require splicing in additional length, or even getting a replacement connector to terminate on.