Some Small Electrical Question

[kmk_7110]

I have a power bar style thing that I got from my Uncle and it had a wierd plug on it. We decided to use it in the garage and put a normal plug on it. I need to know what wire goes to what. There is a green wire black wire and white wire. I'm guessing green is ground and the white goes to the lighter of the 2 screws, and the black to the remaining screw. Am I right? Thanks in Advance

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Some Small Electrical Question

Yes your right, here is another way to tell. The green goes to the round pin, the white goes to the larger of the flat pins, and the black goes to the smaller of the flat pins.

White to silver or large flat pin
Black to the brass/gold or small flat pin
Green to the green or round pin

I should have asked first, "Are your sure it is 110 volt? Different type plugs mean a specified amp and volt load. If the plug he has looks like a regular plug with on pin turned side ways, that could mean that it is a 110 volt 20 amp plug. Ones on the majority of household appliances are 15 amp. A 20 receptacle will accept both. Not that expensive to replace the receptacle providing you have the minimum of 12 awg wire.

Plugs and receptacles go by what is called a NEMA code. Do a google search and you will find out exactly what you have.

 

[kmk_7110]

Re: Some Small Electrical Question

It was a circular style plug. I don't know what it was out should be used for. Here are the pictures of it attached to the other one.



Whats the worst that could happen from me putting the wrong style plug on it. Pop the circuit? Or the worse... start a fire.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Some Small Electrical Question

That plug is known as a twist lock. Use them a lot at work. On the plug itself it should show its voltage and ampre rating. Receptcles are available for them to. The advantage for them is that they can't be pulled out of the outlet so easy. Its about the same thing with them, ground to the one with the bent tab sticking out, the bigger one without the tab is the neutral or white, and the smaller one is the hot or black.

 

[Bindernut]

Re: Some Small Electrical Question

Yup, that's a 15A 120v twist-lock. I see lots of twistlocks at work too, all the way up to 480v 30A.

You can safely replace it with a standard 120v 15A three prong plug following the color code that Mayfloat posted.

 

[rwise]

Re: Some Small Electrical Question

yep what they said, seen many on industrial job sites!

 

[kmk_7110]

Re: Some Small Electrical Question

Ok thanks