Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 07, 2025, 02:37:43 am
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)  (Read 2560 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jeff

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1238
  • Need input
Hoffman Amps Forum image
WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
« 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!
« Last Edit: January 07, 2014, 03:31:05 pm by jeff »

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
« Reply #1 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.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline jeff

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1238
  • Need input
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
« Reply #2 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.

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
« Reply #3 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.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline thelonious

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 156
  • t00b n00b
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2014, 04:08:35 pm »
Whoa. Good call. I'm always grabbing random power cables from things for my amps...

Offline HotBluePlates

  • Global Moderator
  • Level 5
  • ******
  • Posts: 13127
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2014, 04:52:25 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.

Offline Stankfut

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 116
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: WARNING!!!(3 prong cords)
« Reply #6 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:

 


Choose a link from the
Hoffman Amplifiers parts catalog
Mobile Device
Catalog Link
Yard Sale
Discontinued
Misc. Hardware
What's New Board Building
 Parts
Amp trim
Handles
Lamps
Diodes
Hoffman Turret
 Boards
Channel
Switching
Resistors Fender Eyelet
 Boards
Screws/Nuts
Washers
Jacks/Plugs
Connectors
Misc Eyelet
Boards
Tools
Capacitors Custom Boards
Tubes
Valves
Pots
Knobs
Fuses/Cords Chassis
Tube
Sockets
Switches Wire
Cable


Handy Links
Tube Amp Library
Tube Amp
Schematics library
Design a custom Eyelet or
Turret Board
DIY Layout Creator
File analyzer program
DIY Layout Creator
File library
Transformer Wiring
Diagrams
Hoffmanamps
Facebook page
Hoffman Amplifiers
Discount Program


password