Which electrical cord?

[MoodyBlues]

I have a very expensive medical device that I can't afford to blow up, but I've somehow managed to lose its power cord. (Long story, but I had actually forgotten I even had this thing, and now I need to use it but I don't know what I did with its cord. It wasn't with the unit in the garage.)

This is what its label shows:

I found no less than a dozen three-pronged power cords yesterday in the garage, any of which will fit the unit. But NONE of them has any sort of label indicating it might actually belong to the unit. They're all the type of cord that a desktop computer would use, i.e., three pronged at one end, female three pronged at the end that goes into the unit.

Assuming these were all cords from computers...or not, since I really have no idea where they all came from...and one could actually belong to this unit...what can I do? Like I said, I CANNOT risk damaging the unit, and I also don't want to blow a fuse in the house, or do anything fun like that.

Any ideas? If I have to, I'll contact the company and just order a new cord, but if it turns out that any of these dozen cords would've sufficed...

 

[zuben el genub]

The Vulcan says that it is low voltage, so any cord might work. Doublecheck by asking an electrician or someone that deals with voltage and amps. Electrical parts stores might know.

The Vulcan is an EE and has sorted out power supplies for me. Those things never match.

 

[shmn]

Looks like it is just a standard AC device. If the AC cord fits, it's fine.

 

[mikedt]

"Manufactured in the U.S.A." ....not P.R.C. I like that. :thumb:

120V 0.5A, looks like it's only a low current device. Probably only takes similar current as a laptop. Assuming the device has a standard three prong power input, any cord should fit and is not going to be overloaded. Same ones used for laptop power bricks usually.

 

[MoodyBlues]

The Vulcan says that it is low voltage, so any cord might work.

Sounds good!

Doublecheck by asking an electrician or someone that deals with voltage and amps. Electrical parts stores might know.

Too much work. I'd rather just order a replacement. But since all the replies seem to suggest it should be okay to use any of my cords, I think I'm going to do that.

The Vulcan is an EE and has sorted out power supplies for me. Those things never match.

You see, I always intend to tag things so I'll know later on what they went to. Somehow, though, in actual practice, it never seems to work out that way...

 

[funkylogik]

Please just ring someone about it. Im the type to stick it in anything but not worth you takin the risk. You and your machine are worth more than me :beer:

 

[mikedt]

I had an electrical issue last week, when the "made in China" wall switch decided to have a meltdown and let out the magic smoke, which is for the "made in China" bathroom water heater. The water heater is a high current appliance, but the switch was supposed to have been rated for it.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Please just ring someone about it. Im the type to stick it in anything but not worth you takin the risk. You and your machine are worth more than me :beer:

Awwww...

The machine costs more than some cars. Thank goodness worker's comp paid for it; they had to, since it's for a condition related to the on-the-job injury I had. Even though I didn't pay for it, I don't want to damage/ruin it. But I'm pretty convinced that any of the probably-desktop-computer cords will be fine with it.

 

[zuben el genub]

My ex son-in-law tagged everything. I usually don't. With the power cord issue, I have a bobbin winder that uses a two round hole female plug, similar to the ones that the older printers used to use, and still do to connect to a transformer/converter. I just use any of the power cords that fit it, since the connection is direct - outlet to device.

OTOH, we have got a plethora of transformer/converter boxes that go between the outlet and the device. I should label those things. Some can work universally. You read the voltage/amperage required on the device, the polarity of the plug, and if all matches you can use it. Look at the universal batteries for cell phones and laptops.
They just come with different ends, although you can buy some adjustable voltage ones. The Vulcan has a very nice meter which came from an outfit that supplies test equipment. Not Wallyworld.

 

[nj02vette]

Not going to hurt anything. That's a standard IEC style input. Standards are there for a reason.

Any power cord will work fine, doesn't matter. If it fits in the socket, it will work.

 

[patrickt]

Sounds good!


Too much work. I'd rather just order a replacement. But since all the replies seem to suggest it should be okay to use any of my cords, I think I'm going to do that.


You see, I always intend to tag things so I'll know later on what they went to. Somehow, though, in actual practice, it never seems to work out that way...

Sounds good? Read again and notice the weasel words such as "might", "probably", and such.

If it were me, and I really couldn't afford to screw up the device, I'd email the manufacturer for advice or contact someone who deals with electrical devices. If that's too much trouble, pick a cord, plug it in, stand back, and see what happens. It might not blow up. It will probably work. It could die a slow death.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Sounds good? Read again and notice the weasel words such as "might", "probably", and such.

If it were me, and I really couldn't afford to screw up the device, I'd email the manufacturer for advice or contact someone who deals with electrical devices. If that's too much trouble, pick a cord, plug it in, stand back, and see what happens. It might not blow up. It will probably work. It could die a slow death.

Thanks for the warning, patrick, but I'm reasonably sure the consensus is correct, and that the unit won't be damaged by using any of the cords I have.

However, on the off chance that there's an explosion...I'll post again when the smoke clears!

 

[MoodyBlues]

I did it--I found the newest looking cord out of the dozen or so I'd found, plugged it in, and fired up the machine. It works. And my power's still on and everything!

 

[rabidhunter]

I did it--I found the newest looking cord out of the dozen or so I'd found, plugged it in, and fired up the machine. It works. And my power's still on and everything!

It must have, the space time continum is still functioning properly. My toaster says It's 3:11 pm central and all is well!

 

[homelessgdog]

Every outlet in the house has either a 20 amp breaker or 15 amp breaker. With the exception of your AC unit(s) and possible electric stove/over. Your DEVICE is what determines how much amperage is being consumed i.e. microwave, hair dryer, almost all 15or 20 amps by themselves!!
First all electronics use DC. Which is why they have XMFR transformers. Therefore, if you had a playstation used in the u.s. it works on 120V current. It you took it to Iraq with you (like a lot of soldiers on the COB in Basra) they just plugged it in with a plug adapter and Fried it! YUP. $400 dollars up in smoke in less then 5 seconds. Why? Because the voltage is different. They need a converter and a different plug. Funny thing with other electronics like phones, laptops. They are used worldwide (well so are Playstations, Xbox) thus the electronics do the converting of electricity for them. They don't burn up around the globe. So getting back to your device. As long as you use the plug that fits, with the brick to change 120Volts AC (VAC) to 6/12/18 volts DC (direct current like your car battery, flashlight battery, cordless tools batery) you are fine. The device will determine the amperage. You don't have to worry about Amps. It is the voltage that you have to consider.

 

[nj02vette]

I did it--I found the newest looking cord out of the dozen or so I'd found, plugged it in, and fired up the machine. It works. And my power's still on and everything!

No worries here. If it physically fits, without an adapter, it will work. You'd be surprised how strict the industry is on this. A product must be listed to legally sell (for example, UL rating), and that's the #1 thing checked. Safety issue.

 

[mikedt]

Every outlet in the house has either a 20 amp breaker or 15 amp breaker. With the exception of your AC unit(s) and possible electric stove/over. Your DEVICE is what determines how much amperage is being consumed i.e. microwave, hair dryer, almost all 15or 20 amps by themselves!!
First all electronics use DC. Which is why they have XMFR transformers. Therefore, if you had a playstation used in the u.s. it works on 120V current. It you took it to Iraq with you (like a lot of soldiers on the COB in Basra) they just plugged it in with a plug adapter and Fried it! YUP. $400 dollars up in smoke in less then 5 seconds. Why? Because the voltage is different. They need a converter and a different plug.

Years ago a friend of mine done something like that in the United Kingdom with a RadioShack "Realistic" stereo he got from somewhere, it made one hell of a bang! ... and just like Moody's medical device it had "120V, 60Hz" on it. Which he read after blowing it up.

Funny thing with other electronics like phones, laptops. They are used worldwide (well so are Playstations, Xbox) thus the electronics do the converting of electricity for them. They don't burn up around the globe. So getting back to your device. As long as you use the plug that fits, with the brick to change 120Volts AC (VAC) to 6/12/18 volts DC (direct current like your car battery, flashlight battery, cordless tools batery) you are fine. The device will determine the amperage. You don't have to worry about Amps. It is the voltage that you have to consider.

These days with laptops and phone chargers, AFAIK they're pretty much all universal voltage for use worldwide, something like "110V-250V, 50Hz 60Hz"

I sometimes travel between China and the UK, but here the voltage is the same for both countries 230V, 50Hz. It's just that the plugs and wall sockets are different, except for Hong Kong which is the same as the UK. I had to use a plug adapter for my Lenovo laptop in the UK, either that or buy a UK power cord for it.

Mainland Chinese wall socket:

This can take the American two prong plug, shaver type plug, as well the Chinese three prong one.

British BS1363 wall socket, also used in Hong Kong:

The universal type socket is commonly seen in China as well:

Which is designed to accommodate most types of plugs.

Oh yeh there's something else to be aware of in China, bathroom electrics. In the UK, it's against wiring regulations to have a power outlet in a bathroom, isolated shaver sockets only. Not so in the PRC, you can have all the sockets you like in a bathroom, even within reach of the shower, bath, toilet, etc.

Of course I get to see some real wiring gems.

The thick black cable is from the power company, the white box contains the meter, and the knife switch is to turn the house supply on and off. Think that might be a three-phase 415VAC feed cable as well; yellow, green, red and blue. BTW there's a few more similar to this in my Tumblr, in my sig.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I forgot all about this thread after I fired up the device and didn't blow anything up!

Thanks, mikedt, for the really interesting post.

In the UK, it's against wiring regulations to have a power outlet in a bathroom

Even if they're GFCI? I thought that made them safe for use around water sources.

 

[mikedt]

I forgot all about this thread after I fired up the device and didn't blow anything up!

Thanks, mikedt, for the really interesting post.


Even if they're GFCI? I thought that made them safe for use around water sources.

Even if they're on a residual current breaker(GFCI/RCD), not allowed. There's a guide to UK wiring regulations here...
Bathroom & Kitchen Electrics - SimplifyDIY - DIY and Home Improvement Solutions

"IEE Regulations state that all bathroom lighting must be encased to ensure that steam cannot enter and short the electrical circuit. If operated from within the bathroom, the light must be pull-switched.

Standard electrical socket outlets are not permitted in a bathroom. The only permitted power outlets are those specially designed for electric razors that meet British Standard 3535." ...they they have an isolating transformer in them.

Section 701 of BS 7671:2008, and Part P of the Building Regulations if anyone wishes look it up. UK is 230V 50Hz, I see your very expensive medical device is 120V 60Hz only, you'd need a step-down transformer to use that in the UK and Europe.

I've always taken interest and have been aware of electrics and regulations. Because I would often do work for other members of the family. And now living in China has made me very aware of electrical safety and how not to do things. I've looked at the wiring and done electrical work in the school provided apartment where I live, basically to make things safer. Whomever done the wiring originally put the bathroom electric water heater onto a light switch. 8 amp appliance on a 10 amp switch, which in theory should have been OK. However the switch was warm to the touch and eventually melted, could have started a fire.

BTW have you seen the The Karate Kid(2010)? - where the mum and son from Detroit, have to move and go and live in Beijing. There's a scene when they first move into the apartment, and the water heater and shower is apparently not working, son has to go and find the janitor (Jackie Chan). It can be like that, fortunately I can do a lot of my own repair jobs. But in the movie, they didn't realise that there was a switch for the water heater

 

[MoodyBlues]

Electricity is one thing I just shy away from. I don't know anything about it and have decided to keep it that way! I admire people who do understand it and can do some of their own stuff. I'm pretty daring and fearless when it comes to most things, but electricity? Nope!

I haven't seen the Karate Kid you mentioned, but I love Jackie Chan and I'm guessing the movie is a hoot with him in it.

 

[Codegerm]

Electricity is one thing I just shy away from. I don't know anything about it and have decided to keep it that way! I admire people who do understand it and can do some of their own stuff. I'm pretty daring and fearless when it comes to most things, but electricity? Nope!

I haven't seen the Karate Kid you mentioned, but I love Jackie Chan and I'm guessing the movie is a hoot with him in it.

It is not bad to work with, just respect it. Working in the field I have found this to be true working as a technician in the electrical world. Your pay check is inversely proportional to the size of screwdriver you use most, so the smaller the better. At that point, I showed my brother the little tweak-er driver I use and said make it this size or smaller. He took my advice and went into the biomedical electronics field.

 

[MoodyBlues]

It is not bad to work with, just respect it.

I only know enough about it to know that the best way for me to respect it is to stay away from it! :rofl:

Working in the field I have found this to be true working as a technician in the electrical world. Your pay check is inversely proportional to the size of screwdriver you use most, so the smaller the better. At that point, I showed my brother the little tweak-er driver I use and said make it this size or smaller. He took my advice and went into the biomedical electronics field.

 

[mikedt]

I only know enough about it to know that the best way for me to respect it is to stay away from it! :rofl:

Yeh, respect it. Think main thing with electricity is that you can't actually see it, it's not like water. You can certainly feel electricity though, :O ...but that's usually best avoided.

 

[Harry2]

Speaking of water, it's one of the thinking models of electricity for beginners for explaining Ohm's law
... but then the beginners have to learn not to 'handle' electricity like water

 

[MoodyBlues]

Speaking of water, it's one of the thinking models of electricity for beginners for explaining Ohm's law
... but then the beginners have to learn not to 'handle' electricity like water

Interesting that you should mention water along with electricity. Yesterday I totally dismantled a patio fountain I built, because my [expletives deleted] gardeners have blown so much debris into it, its flow had dwindled to a trickle. So I disassembled the whole thing and put it back together, sort of. I decided to leave off the additional filter box I had the pump in, as it was big and difficult to keep in place within the fountain's container. I also swapped out the clear tubing I was using for black. Here's its "as of this moment" look, which will be tweaked to be more attractive at some point:

BTW, its flow is so strong now it's splashing out!