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Topic: Is this a 3 phase electrical outlet?
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John Hawkinson
Film God
Posts: 2273
From: Cambridge, MA, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-11-2004 12:37 PM
If you want to know what it is, stick a voltmeter in it.
The outlet configuration will not tell you reliably whether it is single-phase or three-phase, it'll merely give you an indication as to the voltage (i.e. whether it is 120V, 220-240V ish, 277V, 480V, etc.). (Of course, if it had 3 hots, then you would know it was 3-phase, but that's not a situation we're in here.)
If the there is a 3-phase panelboard (120/208-Y), then it'd be 208V outlet. If it's a single-phase panelboard, it would be 240V. You cannot reliably tell just by looking (not to mention that even if you could, somebody could have wired it wrong, which does happen).
--jhawk
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Stephen Furley
Film God
Posts: 3059
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002
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posted 10-11-2004 01:15 PM
quote: Steve Guttag
Nowadays, NEMA type 14 outlets should be used since a ground terminal is also offered.
Alternativly, dump the NEMA junk and use decent connectors ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
web page for example.
The US and international versions of these things are slightly different, but the US range includes a four pin orange one for 120/240V use, and there is a 20A version. Over here the international versions of these things have pretty well replaced all of the older 'industrial' connectors. They're robust, don't rely on recognising and remembering odd shapes and positions of pins to know what they are, are available in versions cover all Voltages from 24 up to 600 plus special versions for things like D.C and high frequency supplies. 3,4 or 5 pins, plus versions for 60A upwards have an extra, short, pin for an interlock, so they don't break a live circuit.
I've seen the 240V versions in McDonalds, supplying cooking equiment, but they don't seem very common over there. In Europe you find them just about everywhere, except in the home.
Over here the NEMA connectors are not approved for use at mains Voltage. Years ago the two-pin ones were used for things like power outputs on amplifiers. You can buy NEMA connectors here, mainly intended for use on equipment for export, but the decent ones are expensive. RS Components, nothing to do with Radio Shack, for example sell decent Hubbell re-wireable connectors. A 5-15 plug will set you back over £10, about $18, a receptacle to fit it about $25.
The cheap NEMA plugs nearly always seem to run warm when carrying any significant load; they just don't seem to make a good contact. I certainly wouldn't want to use them for high current.
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