Wiring a 125/250V plug correctly

[DrinkDR]

Just got some of the twist lock connectors for use with 125V for now, aka 3-conductor. It has labeled on each plug G, X, W, and Y. For wiring with 125, what do I use for the hot, neutral, and ground? I'm guessing that G is ground, but I don't know what to do beyond that :cross:.

 

[XXXXX]

Is it not color-coded?

White/silver screw: neutral
other (brass or black) are live: doesn't matter which (red or black)
Green screw: ground

 

[DrinkDR]

No, it's not color coded except for green, which is labeled "G".

Is it safe to assume that g is ground, x and y are live, and w is neutral?

 

[Bernie Brewer]

You don't. You go get the plug that is made for 250v. They are configured differently for reason.

 

[DrinkDR]

You don't. You go get the plug that is made for 250v. They are configured differently for reason.

I'm confused now. I'm trying to wire it for 125vac use. The plug was labeled 125/250; I assumed that meant that it can be used for either of the two. I ended up with this because home depot didn't have any of the 125vac only ones in stock.

I've wired mine up with w as white, y and black, and g as green. Is this wrong?

 

[Bernie Brewer]

That makes no sense, because plugs and receptacles that are intended for different voltages are supposed to have different configurations. That way you can't get them mixed up.

 

[DrinkDR]

That makes no sense, because plugs and receptacles that are intended for different voltages are supposed to have different configurations. That way you can't get them mixed up.

It's a NEMA L14 plug. What you say makes sense. I was surprised that they had plugs marketed in this fashion.

NEMA L14 connectors are used with circuits with a maximum specified voltage of 125/250 V. Supply connections are intended to be two-pole, four-wire hot-hot-neutral-ground circuits with a nominal supply voltages of 240 V or 208 V hot-to-hot and 120 V hot-to-neutral.

I'm really just trying to find out if I have it configured correctly for 120v. I have G to ground, W to neutral, and Y to my live.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

It will work, but anything you plug into it needs to match up.

 

[DrinkDR]

It will work, but anything you plug into it needs to match up.

Well, I figure that there should be a standard set for which one you leave loose. Hopefully someone will be able to enlighten me; let's test HBT's knowledge

 

[dinertime]

After reading a little bit about the NEMA 14 on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#NEMA_14) and looking at its datasheet, I think you are right in assuming that W is white, G is green (ground), and then black would by X.

Also check out this page:
http://www.justanswer.com/electrical/1krvz-wiring-nema-l14-30-plug-using-10-gauge-wire.html

As long as you stick to the color coding you should be ok. It is hard to give any more info since I am a little confused as to your intended setup but I am cautiously optimistic that you won't have any problem wiring it how I described above.

 

[DrinkDR]

After reading a little bit about the NEMA 14 on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector#NEMA_14) and looking at its datasheet, I think you are right in assuming that W is white, G is green (ground), and then black would by X.

Also check out this page:
http://www.justanswer.com/electrical/1krvz-wiring-nema-l14-30-plug-using-10-gauge-wire.html

As long as you stick to the color coding you should be ok. It is hard to give any more info since I am a little confused as to your intended setup but I am cautiously optimistic that you won't have any problem wiring it how I described above.

Ok, so it sounds like I should switch my hots from Y to X. Got it. Thanks for the help everyone.