Is this allowable

[Kevin54]

I have a 4 prong 220v plug and a 4 slot outlet. The slot widths don't quite match and one prong is a little to wide to fit the slot in the outlet. Is it allowable to file a little off of a prong to fit? If not, then I'll make a road trip. The problem is they both are from different vendors. The plug is Pass & Seymour and the outlet is a Bryant.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

There is a reason they don't match, its to keep devices and receptacles that are incompatible electrically from being plugged in. Figure out what is different (amp draw, or amp ratings, or polarity-location of neutral and ground) and correct the situation.

They should all be made to the same industry standard and if the same plug/receptacle NEMA designation,,,,,,, interchange.

Charles

 

[Kevin54]

Both are 30 Amp, 250v, 3p 4W grounding. But the difference between the Bryant and the P&S is a wide prong and a narrower prong are on reverse sides (flip flopped at the 3 & 9 position.

I think what I'll do is use the plug I have on the other side of the garage, and then just put a solid cover off of that box and basically make it a junction box, so I can get my machines hooked back up.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

3 phase? is this supplied from the power company? or from a phase converter?

Is this a replacement plug? One of those that the shell opens up and the blades all come out with the wires attached? There are some of those that, depending on configuration, you put the wide blade in one place or another. I have dealt with a couple of replacement plugs like that, where you are allowed to set it up for different configurations?

Charles

 

[Kevin54]

No, not three phase. Just a 220/250 single phase plug.

What I did was move my lathe from one side of the garage to the other, but I was going to leave the existing plug incase I ever move it back over. So I bought an outlet at the local electrical company, but didn't need the plug. The other outlet I bought came from Lowes last year or so.

I just ran into town and bought a cover plate, so I'll just move the outlet over to the area where the lathe is at.

 

[pattenp]

Does the plug look like this....

 

[Kevin54]

looks like this

 

[jpinca]

Are the NEMA designations molded into the plug and recticle the same?

Heres' a chart:

 

[lametec]

You probably have an L15-30 plug and an L16-30 receptacle. Or vice-versa.

One is 3ph 250V 30A (L15), the other is 3ph 480V 30A (L16).

 

[Kevin54]

You probably have an L15-30 plug and an L16-30 receptacle. Or vice-versa.

One is 3ph 250V 30A (L15), the other is 3ph 480V 30A (L16).

I just now was sitting here and looked at that as I just read this reply. The plug is L14-30P and the outlet is L15-30. So coming across as a complete dummy here, what exactly do the two designations mean?

 

[soapii]

So coming across as a complete dummy here, what exactly do the two designations mean?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector

--Joe

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The L14-30 is a common generator plug. It is single phase. Gotta put the L in front of it for "locking", eliminates confusion.

If the receptacle is a L15-30 you really do need to change it out for the proper receptacle, which, with single phase, would be the L14-30R

NEMA straight blade plug and receptacle reference

NEMA locking plug and receptacle reference

 

[pattenp]

 

[jeffmoss26]

Very handy chart! We had something like that from Hubbell in our tech room at the Student Union when I did lighting and sound. Only really worked with L5-20 and L5-30 amp twistlocks, but still good to know.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Back in the "old days" of computers, when a "small" disc drive platter was 14", I had an electrician wire a L21-30R on a piece of seal-tite. The equipment would not power up because it was missing the ground wire. The electrician could not believe a ground was necessary in addition to a neutral until he installed the wire and the equipment fired right up !

 

[nehog]

Both are 30 Amp, 250v, 3p 4W grounding. But the difference between the Bryant and the P&S is a wide prong and a narrower prong are on reverse sides ...

Something is not right there. These are standardized as others note, and manufacturer name won't change compatibility.

Each should be marked as to what standard they are.

 

[Norcal]

The OP does not have a "220" plug he has 125/250V single phase, & 250V 3 phase devices, & they are not intended to mate together. There is a reason for all those configurations and mods to them defeat the purpose.


Chiming in a bit late but decided to toss in my two cents.