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Questions tagged [outlet]

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Making a 30A L6-30, 5 port power strip

My wood working shop currently has a single 30A circuit that runs to an L6-30 outlet. The outlet was installed by the original contractor who built the shop for me. Currently my table saw is plugged ...
rolinger's user avatar
  • 143
0 votes
2 answers
59 views

If I provide this wall power strip 240V 50Hz instead of 120V 60Hz, what do I get back out? [closed]

I'm looking at this product, and next to the plug, it says: Input Voltage: AC110-250V Maximum Power: 2500W 10A USB Output: Total Max 3.4A Frequency: 50/60Hz It ...
user541686's user avatar
  • 1,214
0 votes
1 answer
183 views

How to charge capacitor bank safely?

I am making a project that needs a capacitor bank. I have six 250 V rated capacitors, a 120 V - 240 V step-up transformer, and a bridge rectifier. Is it safe to charge these using a wall outlet (I am ...
toomanyfeet's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
653 views

Is it an issue that type F outlets are not polarized?

A lot of European countries use type F outlets that are not polarized, i.e. you can plug in both orientations. This means that there is a big risk (50%) to invert live and neutral. Is that not a major ...
Cl00e9ment's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
476 views

Is there a surge suppressor or power strip that doesn't draw power when switched off? [closed]

I've read that leaving electronics plugged in but not being used still draws power. Is this true? But if it was turned off it would probably not draw as much power as it would be if it was turned on? ...
1.21 gigawatts's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
464 views

Odd discoloration on wall outlet [closed]

Just noticed a very odd brown looking discoloration (see image) on the top plug of a wall outlet. The items outlet has been in use without issue for awhile. Should I be concerned about the ...
JohnBuilder's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
165 views

A component that acts like a buffer incase of power outage? [closed]

I've had a few self inflicted power outages when too many appliances are connected at once, I got a blue screen on my PC as I had another power outage while booting, I've managed to fix this however I ...
Aden's user avatar
  • 27
1 vote
1 answer
77 views

Need identification of a vintage sound systems outlet

I have wracked my brain and searched across the web only to come up empty handed, I was hoping someone here can finally lay my frustrations to rest. Closest I can find was the NEMA 5-15P to IEC 60320 ...
Vance's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
1 answer
125 views

What is this type of old wall outlet?

We recently moved to Spain. We rented an apartment in a building which according to my estimation was erected some fifty or so years ago. There are three wall outlets (apart from a number of modern ...
S. N.'s user avatar
  • 103
0 votes
2 answers
830 views

How do I hook up my power supply to an outlet? [closed]

I bought a VGD-75-D524 power supply for an Arduino project (since it had a 24V, 2A option) which is what I need to power my Nema 17 stepper motor. I'm unsure how connect this to my home's 120 V outlet....
jasonmzx's user avatar
  • 173
1 vote
1 answer
949 views

Can a single device connect to two different power outlets?

I’m designing a desk with electrical parts onboard that need to be plugged into a wall outlet. I’d like the desk to have two power inlets that can plug into the wall—one on each side of the desk—so ...
EveningInteraction's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
27 views

Simulate electrical loads vs time in a institutional building

I would like to simulate how electrical loads behave in an institutional building. For example, if we have 2 panel boards Pb-A and Pb-B which have the following loads: Pb-A: 10 lighting circuits 120 v ...
Lautarob's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
3k views

Wiring a 240 V single phase cable to two 110 V outlets (120 deg apart)

I have access to three 110 V outlets, representing 3 phases of a 240 V outlet (phase A, B, C). I am thinking of using two of these three phases (A and B) as my hot and neutral to give around 208 V. I ...
FlakR's user avatar
  • 769
2 votes
2 answers
8k views

How to hook up a transformer to 120V AC?

I'm building a DC power supply and am stepping down my voltage from 120V (from the outlet) to 24V through a transformer. I will be soldering the 3 wires that plug into a North American electrical ...
Mark Hofmeister's user avatar
3 votes
8 answers
9k views

How to convert European 230V circuit to US standard 120V circuit?

Suppose I have a house in Europe. The house is of course wired with 230V, which means it won't work directly with US plugs. If I acquired US outlets, how would I convert a single European 230V circuit ...
electrical's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
6k views

Why does Japan use 100V AC as opposed to 120 or 230V, and why are many of their plugs ungrounded?

I don't live in Japan but I have noticed this interesting phenomenon when it comes to their electronics. I'm buying a PC-9800 and because it remained isolated in Japan its power supply is only rated ...
Matcha's user avatar
  • 133
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

How unsafe is 220V over NEMA 5-15 really?

I'm from the Philippines but the U.S. had a very large influence on our electrical standards. It is especially evident on our electrical sockets. While all of the sockets in a typical Filipino home ...
Kosho E's user avatar
  • 23
0 votes
1 answer
288 views

Using electrical equipment made in the US, in Japan

A lot of (good) US stuff is available in Japan through international online sales (Amazon). However, most equipment purchased in Japan from the US are shipped as-is, without any change, while the ...
Déjà vu's user avatar
  • 291
7 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why does the fridge tone change when the toaster is turned on?

First off this question seems a little out of line with the site, not sure, but I think it's still a design question. When I turn on the toaster oven, especially on a high setting, the compressor in ...
rightbrace's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
222 views

Wiring 4-wall outlets in parallel

I would just like to ask if my wirings for a power control box is correct. I am planning to power 4 independent outlets to actuate pumps and other devices on mains, and control these independent ...
Guorishix's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
165 views

What is the name of this connector that is above my kitchen cupboard?

This is the connector in question: EDIT frame removed: Bonus question: Can an amateur turn it into a power outlet to power a Philips Hue strip?
Average_guy's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
2k views

3 wires but no ground terminal

I have an underground electric cable coming in to my detached garage. It has three wires red, black and white. I don't see a bare copper ground wire. Here are the multimeter readings. (order: ...
user6123723's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
747 views

Connect probe properly to measure 230 VAC with oscilloscope

I just got this combined multimeter - oscilloscope Hantek 2D72  Link to manual: https://www.circuitspecialists.com/content/476383/HANTEK2D72_Manual.pdf&ved=...
acroscene's user avatar
  • 203
2 votes
1 answer
136 views

Does Negligible Current Continuosly Leak into the Air from an Outlet?

Pursuing my goal to learn more about electricity, I stumbled upon this idea. As I've learned, a current will travel from a high voltage source to a low voltage destination. Since there's air between a ...
CausingUnderflowsEverywhere's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
149 views

Is my outlet grounded?

I want to use this adapter to charge a laptop of mine's but after reading the back of the product and seeing that I need a grounded outlet, I am worried and wondering if it's possible to find out ...
DoubleL's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
72 views

2P circuit breaker, Ground wiring

i need to test some outlets and im using a 25A 2P circuit breaker, from what i researched i need to connect neutral and hot to the circuit breaker and from there to the outlet. My question is, do I ...
Guffy23_'s user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
236 views

Is there a published standard for 'euro modules'?

Variously called 'Euro modules', 'Euromods', 'Euro modular', these are 'standard' sized units (1U, 2U, ..) that slot into face plates - e.g. a 1-gang face plate can take 2U; 2-gang fits 4U - that can ...
OJFord's user avatar
  • 307
0 votes
2 answers
750 views

Can I double 16 gauge wire? [closed]

I have seen several similar questions on the internet but I can't find a straight answer. I have a ton of used single strand 16 gauge wire that I would like to use. I know that 16 gauge wire typically ...
Randy Woodward's user avatar
5 votes
6 answers
1k views

Why does putting the leads of an ammeter in a receptacle short the outlet?

An ammeter needs to be connected in series with a circuit to test current, which sticking the leads in an outlet does not do? Also, there is no amperage to measure on an outlet with nothing plugged ...
Marco11's user avatar
  • 53
0 votes
1 answer
717 views

How to automatically switch to backup outlet if power goes away? [closed]

So I have two 220V outlets side by side. One of them has power all the time, the other is unreliable but has cheaper power. I'd like a device that uses the unreliable when power is present but ...
Firsh - justifiedgrid.com's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
65 views

Microwave "power" vs "power consumption" [closed]

I'm looking at the specs for this microwave and it lists Power -> Microwave as 1,100 W, but then lower down it lists ...
RNdev's user avatar
  • 117
1 vote
0 answers
330 views

What is the material of AC outlet plug pins? Is it standardized? Are they usually just stainless steel?

^ The title. I want to know if the material is food safe and wanted to know if it would be toxic if introduced into a material that will be consumed. It will be exposed to liquid constantly and I don'...
Adi's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

Grounding a European plug

I have a guitar amplifier which has a ground wire on its plug: Like picture above. On my electric outlet there is no ground wire. If I plug it into a power strip which has a ground wire and then plug ...
Nabla's user avatar
  • 293
4 votes
2 answers
889 views

Is it possible that an outlet can kill AC motors?

I have two recently dead tower fans. The first, I've had for over 6 months, no problems. Recently, I moved it to a new room an plugged it into a different outlet. It died within a day: it seems to be ...
Michoel's user avatar
  • 161
0 votes
1 answer
59 views

Help identifying electrical components

Sorry if this inquiry is it a little bit basic and boring, but I need some sort of help with this, and I am really not sure where to look online. I need help identifying several different electrical ...
Brokis Voekler's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
314 views

How both live and neutral wires can have such small voltage difference in relation to the ground in this faulty wiring?

So basically the case of my washing machine was causing a mild shock on touch when it was connected to the wall outlet. I took a multimeter and checked voltage from the case to the ground, and it ...
Łukasz Zaroda's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Circuit Analysis of an Outlet Tester

I have an Outlet Tester like this: It is used to see the mains electric connection, it has the next states: I opened it and then I reversed engineer it. The diagrams I obtained are these: I would ...
Nau's user avatar
  • 525
0 votes
1 answer
88 views

Max power from surge protector

I have a surge-protected outlet from a renowned brand. On the back it is written 10A 230v Up voltage = 0.8KV Spd class III. The 8 outlets are Shucko format. I do not understand that up voltage. ...
Luca's user avatar
  • 101
0 votes
1 answer
143 views

Will 2000A Inrush Current Damage Outlet Circuitry?

First time building an AC control system complete with motors, PLC, sensors, power supplies. All this is sourced from a 220VAC outlet. I have calculated the total current draw of all motors, powers ...
BlueSock's user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
21k views

How can a circuit not have a neutral?

I've been making plans to install a NEMA 6-50 outlet in my garage, but I don't understand how it can not have a neutral, and instead have two hots (at 120v each) and a ground. What completes the ...
Cowthulhu's user avatar
  • 181
7 votes
4 answers
65k views

Is it Safe to Plug an Extension Cord Into a Power Strip? [closed]

Just a bit of context, I am a technology enthusiast. I love everything from software to hardware, Windows to Linux, Computer to Phone, and everything in between. So, I wouldn't be surprised is my ...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
256 views

How does USB port on a power strip detect the optimal current output?

I am looking to buy a power strip with USB ports and came across this one online. The description says "Top-notch USB smart charging technology which can detect and deliver optimal current output up ...
Stack_Protégé's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
9k views

Is it safe to use my multimeter to test UK wall outlet voltage?

From the question it should be clear I'm no expert. Just want to learn. I have a digital multimeter. If I connect the multimeter to hot+ground & hot+neutral on the 240v 50hz (max ~30A) AC wall ...
user7348172's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
153 views

Please help with safety of this circuit. Safe to plug in?

I have been working on this circuit as a project for school for a few months. Here is the schematic It is a pulse generator that produces 100ns pulses at 220VDC. These are used to drive an ...
snowg's user avatar
  • 155
-3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Does an electrical outlet radiate EM waves? [closed]

Please consider all cases even with a tiny values. If plug two separated wires to each terminal of electrical outlet, like shown, will it radiate em waves? ...
Artur's user avatar
  • 131
7 votes
3 answers
4k views

In North America, why is the wide prong neutral instead of the narrow prong?

The wide prong is neutral on 15 amp US power outlets. Is there a reason it was designed this way, or could the narrow slot just as easily have been neutral instead? Was this design decision ...
rrauenza's user avatar
  • 291
-5 votes
2 answers
73 views

Electrical energy saving [closed]

"You can not pay for the light! This CUTE for years was..." I wonder, what will happen if to do what is illustrated on the picture. I think there are two cases: Hot terminal of left outlet connect ...
Artur's user avatar
  • 3
-1 votes
1 answer
96 views

What products can be used power LEDs from an wall outlet? [closed]

I am currently working on a project that will be a type of night light that plugs straight into a wall. What parts can I use to convert the wall outlet voltage into that which can be used by a couple ...
Nathan Anderson's user avatar
6 votes
6 answers
1k views

Grounding conductor meant to protect electrical devices?

I had a home inspection performed on an old house recently. The inspector noticed that some of the outlets had an unconnected third prong. He told me that the absence of a grounding conductor on the ...
pr871's user avatar
  • 1,187
0 votes
2 answers
420 views

How can I make an OR gate out of two sockets

I have some lights that go into the wall, that I've plugged into this smart outlet so I can control these through my phone. I want to also be able to power them through a movement activated sensor. ...
Иво Недев's user avatar