Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: jeff on January 07, 2014, 03:24:34 pm

Title: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
Post by: jeff on January 07, 2014, 03:24:34 pm
 Thought I should mention this for saftey's sake.

A while ago I got a whole bunch of computer cables.(3 prong plug to computer or marshall style female)

 On two of the cords I cut the female end to use as regular hard wired power cord. I noticed the color code for both was brown,blue,yellow. BUT>>> when I tested for continuity one had the blue to the hot lug one had the blue to the nuetral lug of the plug!!! Even though the two cords had the same color code:blue,brown,yellow they were not wired the same. I tested and retested because I couldn't believe it. I guess the color code doesn't really matter IF it's being used as intended and the male contacts go to the correct corresponding female contacts BUT something to be aware of if cutting the female end off and using as a power cord.

So please if using a cord like this for hardwiring a power cord CHECK FOR CONTINUITY! DON'T ASSUME COLOR CODE IS ALWAYS RIGHT!
Title: Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
Post by: sluckey on January 07, 2014, 03:34:29 pm
Quote
So please if using a cord like this for hardwiring a power cord CHECK FOR CONTINUITY! DON'T ASSUME COLOR CODE IS ALWAYS RIGHT!
Well, now I've gotta go check several builds where I used a computer power cord. But really, it don't matter.
Title: Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
Post by: jeff on January 07, 2014, 03:53:54 pm
Well one thing would be that your fuse and switch would be on the neutral instead of hot.
Title: Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
Post by: sluckey on January 07, 2014, 04:03:36 pm
Quote
Well one thing would be that your fuse and switch would be on the neutral instead of hot.
Exactly. And I'm kinda anal about hot to fuse then on to switch. But it doesn't matter inside an appliance/amp. Breaking the neutral is a no-no in commercial/residential wiring. NEC rules.
Title: Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
Post by: thelonious on January 07, 2014, 04:08:35 pm
Whoa. Good call. I'm always grabbing random power cables from things for my amps...
Title: Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
Post by: HotBluePlates on January 07, 2014, 04:52:25 pm
Quote from: jeff on January 07, 2014, 03:24:34 pm
... I noticed the color code for both was brown,blue,yellow. ...

I notice that this color code is common for EU products. Also common for EU products is a power switch which breaks both the hot and neutral.

So as long as brown was always the ground wire, I guess it wouldn't matter much to them.
Title: Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
Post by: Stankfut on January 07, 2014, 08:25:40 pm

[/quote]

Also common for EU products is a power switch which breaks both the hot and neutral.

[/quote]

I usually do this in my builds, I like having a handy way of connecting the neutral without a splice :grin: