Us Electrical Plug Standard

Plug socket types around the world.

Us electrical plug standard.

If you want to replace an outlet simply turn off the power to the outlet and remove it. Different combinations of contact blade widths shapes orientation and. Acupwr s nema chart can help you identify which nema plug or receptacle you have. North american standards state that the neutral is neither switched nor fused except in very narrowly defined circumstances.

Countries that operate on 100 127 volts are. Get the amp rating off the outlet and pick up a replacement with that rating and the same configuration and number of holes. Although much of the electrician s field terminology matches that of the electrical codes usages can vary. Electrical plugs and sockets differ from one another in voltage and current rating shape size and connector type.

Prior to the 1930s when hubbell s parallel blade plug received its official rating of 125v and became the united states general service electrical plug standard all of his electrical connectors were used interchangeably on either 120 v or 240 v. In building wiring systems the neutral wire is connected to earth ground at only one point. The nema plug chart provides technical drawings and specifications for nema straight blade plugs connectors receptacles inlets outlets and cords. It has two flat 1 5 mm thick blades spaced 12 7 mm apart measuring 15 9 18 3 mm in length and 6 3 mm in width.

The table shows that in most countries the mains supply is between 220 and 240 volts 50 or 60 hz. Nema connectors are power plugs and receptacles used for ac mains electricity in north america and other countries that use the standards set by the us national electrical manufacturers association nema wiring devices are made in current ratings from 15 to 60 amperes a with voltage ratings from 125 to 600 volts v. Different standard systems of plugs and sockets are used around the world. There are currently 15 types of domestic electrical outlet plugs in use worldwide each of which has been assigned a letter by the us department of commerce international trade administration ita starting with a and moving through the alphabet.

The most common electrical outlets are 15 amp duplex receptacles 15 amp outlets are designed to accept standard plugs for most small appliances and lamps. Use this nema plug chart to identify a configuration by pin array or designation. These plugs are used throughout the u s canada and mexico and include plugs and receptacles that range from domestic size nema 5 15r p up to the highest available amp and voltage requirements nema 18 60r p. It also has a 4 8 mm diameter round or u shaped earth pin which is 3 2 mm longer than the two flat blades so the device is grounded before the power is connected.

This class i plug is designated as american standard nema 5 15.