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T-Shaped Electrical Outlets
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Can someone tell me what the purpose is of the t shaped outlet?
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2005
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I have a device that uses that horizontal plug. But where it is I need an extension cord and I can't find any that have the t-shape outlet.
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Senior User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Mississippi
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my brother being an electrician that some old plugs use that way...they use to be shaped different or something like that. I am not really sure but I can find out if ya want later.
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Senior User
Join Date: Jul 2004
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to make sure T shaped Plugs don't get put in the wrong way.. 
Most likely to keep people from putting things in the wrong way. Nobody checks to make sure its the right way or not.. they just plug it in
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You shouldn't make fun of nerds... you'll be working for one some day.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Status:
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Originally Posted by jay3ld
to make sure T shaped Plugs don't get put in the wrong way..
Most likely to keep people from putting things in the wrong way. Nobody checks to make sure its the right way or not.. they just plug it in
Isn't that why one prong is larger than the other?
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Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Hanson, MA
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That's for plugs rated for 20 amps. Those types of plugs have the round ground prong, the normally positioned hot prong (smaller), and a horizontal neutral prong. That way, you can't plug a 20A plug into an outlet only rated for 15A, as all household outlets are.
Tom
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Detroit
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right; it is a 20amp outlet. you can plug a 20amp or 15amp device into it. 20amp devices have a horizontal prong.
here are some good photos of common USA receptacles:
Electrical Receptacles
(
Last edited by residentEvil; Aug 22, 2006 at 06:29 PM.
)
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Status:
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Awesome, thanks for the info!
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Nashville, TN
Status:
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I believe one also finds the 20A version in medical hardware...
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Don't try to outweird me, I get stranger things than you free with my breakfast cereal.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Status:
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Couldn't find a 20 amp extension cord. Are they even made? So I made my own using 12 guage wire. Works great!
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Administrator  Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
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I'd think 12ga is the absolute MINIMUM for a 20A extension cord. GEEZE! How long is your hand-made cord? I'm afraid. Very afraid.
It's been my experience that red or orange hospital outlets are intended for 20A service. These are supposed to be for generator-backed circuits for powering life-or-death equipment.
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Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Status:
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Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
Status:
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OK, I'm not as afraid now. I bet your cord gets pretty warm when you're using it. 10ga is the more suitable size for 20A service (if you're actually pulling 20A on it, anyway) and at that 10 feet is the maximum I've ever heard of.
Be VERY careful with that!
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Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Status:
Offline
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I don't think the device it is being used on is even pulling 20 amps. We have similar device in another part of the building and it has the standard 15 amp prongs.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status:
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While I would never counter the admonition to "be careful", 12 AWG copper wire can take a 20 amp load across 10 feet all day long.
Worry more about how well you wired your connector. That's what you want to check for overheating.
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hayesk
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20a are increasingly being added to building codes for kitchen counter plugs. Some microwaves, appliances, etc. require these plugs.
20A extension cords are hard to find because generally you don't have portable 20A stuff that isn't near the plug.
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