Re: Wiring suggestions

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Jim Lux" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net> 

If you're using 240V, then why not use a grounding plug with the two hots
and ground?  You can make 120 from 240V inside your box if you need it with
a small transformer or other means.

Anytime someone talks about creating a piece of high power electrical gear,
and doesn't connect a "safety ground" at the same time, I get a bit nervous.
(aside from it being pretty blatantly "not to code"... the only cases I can
recall where you don't need an explicit ground connection, tied to the power
ground in some fairly reliable way, is with permanently installed appliances
where the grounding is assured by "other means").

Yes, they DO sell plugs that have three blades and no ground, but they're
for special purposes, and their use is deprecated on new equipment.

The ground stake may be fine for RF (although maybe not...), it's not
sufficient for electrical safety purposes, unless you've separately run a
wire to the electrical system grounding point and bonded it sufficiently
you're taking your life (or someone else's) life in your hands. (that
doesn't mean a 24AWG cliplead, but is a "exothermically welded" or "approved
pressure connector" sort of thing)

The correct plugs and receptacles are too cheap to fool with trying to
cobble together something else.  If you're running enough power that you
need 30Amp service (i.e. you're not just running a single NST, etc.) then
you need to make the $20-40 investment in the right plug and receptacle.
That AWG 10 power cord is going to set you back that much if it's very long.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: Wiring suggestions


 > Original poster: "Hydrogen18" <hydrogen18-at-hydrogen18-dot-com>
 >
 > The plug I use has both sides of the line and the neutral, no ground. My
 > garage wasnt wired for 4 wire. Plus, I have a ground stake which will be
 > connected to this thing when in use. I'm probaly goign to get 3 wire 10
 > guage tommorow.
 >
 > ---Eric
 > ----- Original Message -----
 > From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2004 7:34 PM
 > Subject: Re: Wiring suggestions
 >
 >
 >  > Original poster: "Jim Lux" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>
 >  >
 >  >
 >  > ----- Original Message -----
 >  > From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 >  > To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 >  > Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2004 3:41 PM
 >  > Subject: Re: Wiring suggestions
 >  >
 >  >
 >  >  > Original poster: "Harold Weiss" <hweiss-at-new.rr-dot-com>
 >  >  >
 >  >  > Hi Eric,
 >  >  >
 >  >  > You would want at least 10 gauge wire for 30A.  10/4 SOW cable can
be
 >  > bought
 >  >  > at most home improvement stores.  The black and red are your hot
leads,
 >  > with
 >  >  > the white being neutral and the green ground.  Preferably go with
30A
 >  > twist
 >  >  > lock connections, as the 30A dryer plugs aren't the safest things to
 >  > unplug
 >  >  > if the line is hot. (too easy to get fingers into the prongs)
 >  >  >
 >  >  >