BroFratBrew
New Member
I have an EBC II controller (http://www.highgravitybrew.com/productcart/pc/EBC-II-with-Infinite-Power-Control-306p3073.htm) with a 3 prong "dryer type" plug aka NEMA 10-30P (L shaped prong). I intended to plug it in to my dryer outlet, but of course, the outlet is a NEMA 10-50R ( | shaped prong).
I am not sure why there is a 50 amp outlet instead of a 30 amp. From what I have read, 30 is the "standard". To make matters even more confusing, the circuit breaker attached to the outlet is double pole 40 amp. I have no idea how many amps my dryer pulls, but it has a 50 amp plug and obviously isn't pulling more than 40...
Also, the more I read online, the more I see people mentioning using 4 prong plugs and ground fault interrupters. This is beginning to make me think that 3 prong is a bad idea (and that I just wasted $300 on a controller). Is there a way to safely use 3 pronged systems? Can I hook up a GFI to the plug?
To cut to the chase, I would like to know the easiest way to remedy this problem without having to rewire the outlet (I live in a rental), and save myself from getting electrocuted (I value my life).
UPDATE: I have decided that the following may be a feasible solution: switch the receptacle on the wall to NEMA 10-30R (L shaped outlet) and change to a 30 amp GFCI circuit breaker. Does this sound like a feasible solution? Will a GFCI work properly with a 3 pronged setup?
I am not sure why there is a 50 amp outlet instead of a 30 amp. From what I have read, 30 is the "standard". To make matters even more confusing, the circuit breaker attached to the outlet is double pole 40 amp. I have no idea how many amps my dryer pulls, but it has a 50 amp plug and obviously isn't pulling more than 40...
Also, the more I read online, the more I see people mentioning using 4 prong plugs and ground fault interrupters. This is beginning to make me think that 3 prong is a bad idea (and that I just wasted $300 on a controller). Is there a way to safely use 3 pronged systems? Can I hook up a GFI to the plug?
To cut to the chase, I would like to know the easiest way to remedy this problem without having to rewire the outlet (I live in a rental), and save myself from getting electrocuted (I value my life).
UPDATE: I have decided that the following may be a feasible solution: switch the receptacle on the wall to NEMA 10-30R (L shaped outlet) and change to a 30 amp GFCI circuit breaker. Does this sound like a feasible solution? Will a GFCI work properly with a 3 pronged setup?