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

[Brian Kemp]

Can't speak to the plugs, but recommend periodic testing of UPS if the situation permits.  I've had them either fail or indicate all is good, but on the slightest power dip, turn off.  For home and smaller office UPS, I power off the load and plug the UPS into a switched power strip then plug in an electric heater with fan at about 1000W.  I then flip off the power and make sure the UPS goes a few minutes.

Brian


-----Original Message-----
From: <jamesf at groupwbench.org>
Sent: Apr 9, 2025 12:09 PM
To: <Shop-talk at autox.team.net>
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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