[Shop-talk] Determine NEMA outlet type if it’s plugged in?

[Al Fuller]

Jim - If they are UPSs (Uninterruptible Power Supply), if you unplug 
one/them the devices plugged into the UPS should just keep on working 
and not be affected. (Otherwise, there is a much larger problem here.)

On the other hand, I am a jinx when it come to power failures and backup 
power. I have been present at more clients than I can remember where 
there was a loss of power and the backup failed. Each failure was 
different, but all when analyzed fell into the category of failure to 
adequately validate the system.

So, in principle you SHOULD be able to unplug the UPS and see what kind 
of plug and outlet are there.  But don't tell anyone you heard that from 
me!! 🙂


===========================
Al Fuller
714.335.0248 Mobile


------ Original Message ------
>From jamesf at groupwbench.org
To Shop-talk at autox.team.net
Date 4/9/2025 10:43:07 AM
Subject Re: [Shop-talk] Determine NEMA outlet type if it’s plugged in?

>Yes, twist lock. The devices in question are UPSs, and are 2880va, 120v 
>units. And it may be confirmation bias, but 2880va/120v = 24a, which is 
>80% of 30a, the standard derating. So I'm inclined to believe they are 
>L5-30, especially since one unused one in the rail of 10 outlets is 
>(local guy was able to unplug an unused unit). Does that make sense or 
>am I thinking wishfully here (I have an order ready to go for mew ones 
>with L5-30 plugs, just waitng for the outlet specs).
>
>jim
>
>On 2025-04-09 16:15, DAVID MASSEY wrote:
>
>>Are these the TwistLock variety?  If so many of them look very similar 
>>but have subtle differences making them incompatible with other 
>>styles.  This is to make a 120V/20 amp different from a 220V20 amp so 
>>as to avoid the possibility of plugging a 120V device into a 220V 
>>circuit.  Or a 120V 30A device into a 20A circuit.
>>
>>You might be able to determine what styles you need from the nameplate 
>>ratings on the powered device.  In other words is it a 120V or a 220V 
>>device?  Of course if it dual voltage device it may be ambiguous.
>>
>>Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>On Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:03:22 AM CDT, Jim Franklin 
>><jamesf at groupwbench.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>>I'm dealing with a bunch of Schroedinger's outlets here. All the 
>>outlets are in use so I can't unplug them to look at the NEMA marking, 
>>but I need to replace the devices plugged in, which can be ordered 
>>with various plug types. Is there a way to tell from the outside what 
>>type I have? It's round, which narrows it down to a few...
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Jim
>>_______________________________________________
>>
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>
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