IEC C13/14 (60320) Cord Configuration Issue

[astronomicum]

I was finishing up an amp yesterday and I was getting the slightest bit of static discharge from the chassis while doing my final testing. Never happened before. Didn't think much of it at the time but today I decided to test the neutral/line configuration before packing it up and discovered it was reversed. Amp was wired correctly but the cord was reversed. I usually use the same cord at the bench but was using a different cord with my normal cord tied up on another project I temporarily set aside. So I tested every cord in the shop. 7 were configured one way (pic 1), 8 were reversed (pic 2). Some of the cords I tested are C15s but my research indicates that the C15 is OK in a C13 socket (which I use) which would indicate to me that the configuration would be the same. As you can see in the pics, both are C13s. My research indicates that pic 1 is the correct configuration (as was my normal bench cord when I tested it). Anybody see this before? What am I missing? 

[AmberB]

Interesting!  I assumed that they were all the same...

[astronomicum]

Up till now, I assumed if it fit, it should be configured the same.  As you can see in the pics, the cords are labeled "N", "L". I have not found any information so far that would explain what I am seeing and why.

[Soulfetish]

It should absolutely be the same. These are electrical standards. You have a batch of bad cords. There is no example where the plug prong you are measuring would be labeled or connected as "Neutral". I would cut the IEC end of one of them and check the inner wire colors as well, as these are standardized as well. The conductor connected to the prong you are measuring in the photos should be black in N. America (Although it could be brown as well, and be acceptable) and connect to terminals designated/labeled as "Live".
However, I have come across reverse wired cheap IEC cables in the past. Fortunately, it's rare, but those should be discarded, or the ends cut off so they can't be used as mains power cables.

[astronomicum]

You have a batch of bad cords.... I would cut the IEC end of one of them and check the inner wire colors as well....

Two batches. I have some C13s and C15s that are reversed. I cut one of each open and the colors are Red, Blue, Grey (on both). The C13s have no stamps at all. The C15s have a bunch of stamps.

[Soulfetish]

Two batches. I have some C13s and C15s that are reversed. I cut one of each open and the colors are Red, Blue, Grey (on both). The C13s have no stamps at all. The C15s have a bunch of stamps.

man, that's weird. In the US, Red and Blue are designated Line colors used for 3-phase power.
Maybe there is no standard set for completely enclosed, molded cords (I doubt it, but I'm not sure).
As far as your cables, do you remember where you got them?

[Lectroid]

Up till now, I assumed if it fit, it should be configured the same.

And up til now, so would I have.  One more thing to watch for...   

[PRR]

Probe the pins and holes on the ends. Should be H=H, N=N, and G=G. (look-up proper pinout). Any other result should be cut-up for hook-up wire.

If over-curious: Poke the wires (needle-probe is useful) AND the pins/holes on the end. You expect one of the two semi-global color codes.

US/Can
HOT Black
Neu White
Gnd Green

Euro/worldwide
HOT Brown
Neu Grey BLUE
Gnd Green

White and Grey are much the same
(was hard to get good white in black rubber)

Euro green ground has a yellow tracer, now also legal in US/Can

IN US BUILDINGS, hot on white or green is a big no-no (with specific exception for switch in cable)

3-phase is a totally different world and most of us won't go there.

[kagliostro]

Neutral color here is blue



Franco

[PRR]

Thanks!

[astronomicum]

As far as your cables, do you remember where you got them?

The lastest batch (C15) I bought from a distributer in California on EBay. The C13s I bought a few times and cannot link the specific cords with issues with the supplier.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353214235147?var=622414513159

From now on, going to ensure a UL listing and test every cord.