Wiring standard 120 AC female plug

[Whiskeymike]

Just bought a house with a shop out back. I need to attach a plug at the end of 10 gauge 3 conductor wire that is dropped from a box on the ceiling with a run back to the panel. I believe I connect the green wire to the ground bottom conductor, the black to the larger side prong, and the white to the smaller side prong. But with not knowing how this was wired, how would I test it with a multimeter to know for sure?

I've tested the voltage and it tests out fine at about 117v as I remember.

 

[The Cobbler]

black is hot, goes to the smaller(narrower) prong, white is neutral, larger(wider) prong, green is ground.
what amp is the breaker ?

 

[neel2008]

also USUALLY white (neutral) also goes to the silver screw, and black (hot) goes to the brass colored screw. Doesn't hurt to double check.

 

[2ManyProjects]

Just bought a house with a shop out back. I need to attach a plug at the end of 10 gauge 3 conductor wire that is dropped from a box on the ceiling with a run back to the panel.

STOP!!!

Before even worrying about which wire goes to which prong (which you got wrong, as others have already mentioned), the FAR more important question is WHY you would even consider allowing LIVE VOLTAGE ON EXPOSED PLUG PRONGS?!? And given the mention of AWG 10 wire, that implies at least 30 Amps-worth of it. YIKES!!!

That would be a gilt-edged engraved invitation for a fire AND a personal shock hazard, very possibly a fatal one.

DO NOT DO THIS!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

STOP!!!

Before even worrying about which wire goes to which prong (which you got wrong, as others have already mentioned), the FAR more important question is WHY you would even consider allowing LIVE VOLTAGE ON EXPOSED PLUG PRONGS?!? And given the mention of AWG 10 wire, that implies at least 30 Amps-worth of it. YIKES!!!

That would be a gilt-edged engraved invitation for a fire AND a personal shock hazard, very possibly a fatal one.

DO NOT DO THIS!

The title says he is installing a FEMALE which we know is a OUTLET and not a PLUG. Wrong terminology on the OP's part.

Charles

 

[nehog]

Just always remember: "White is wide."

 

[Whiskeymike]

black is hot, goes to the smaller(narrower) prong, white is neutral, larger(wider) prong, green is ground.
what amp is the breaker ?

It' same 15 amp breaker.

 

[Whiskeymike]

The title says he is installing a FEMALE which we know is a OUTLET and not a PLUG. Wrong terminology on the OP's part.

Charles

Yes, sorry. I assumed an outlet was only the ones in the wall, as opposed to on the end of a wire. It's an outlet that a hand power tool plugs into like an extension cord. The previous owner over built everything which is great, so all of the wiring is 10 Gauge and some are wired for 120, and others 240v. These were originally 240, but I wanted more 120 outlets close to the garage door, so the original owner split them, but didn't have the outlets. I've picked them up and now just need to finish it off.

 

[abnorm]

What kind of wire ?

You can't attach a receptacle end on a piece of romex

 

[Whiskeymike]

What kind of wire ?

You can't attach a receptacle end on a piece of romex

I don't know exactly, I'll look and see if there is a name brand on the sheathing. It looks a lot like this. http://t.homedepot.com/p/Cerrowire-250-ft-Black-10-3-SOOW-Cord-283-3803G1/202206505/

 

[abnorm]

I don't know exactly, I'll look and see if there is a name brand on the sheathing. It looks a lot like this. http://t.homedepot.com/p/Cerrowire-250-ft-Black-10-3-SOOW-Cord-283-3803G1/202206505/

No Problem...............

 

[2ManyProjects]

The title says he is installing a FEMALE which we know is a OUTLET and not a PLUG. Wrong terminology on the OP's part.

Oh. Well. In that case...

(But he damn near gave me a heart attack in the process...)

 

[alfredeneuman]

The female cord ends are known as connector bodies.

 

[OccupantRJ]

A woman was hired at a place I once worked to rework the inventory. She called me over one day while holding a male plug in her hand and asked me why it was called that. I never spoke, but instead, reached over and grabbed a female connector, aimed them at each other, plugged them together, and handed them to her. She blushed deeply.