Plug and socket types around the world

Re:Plug and socket types around the world by bluGill on Tuesday September 19, 2023 @07:32PM (#37578527)

This house had sockets that would accept NMEA 5-15, 5-20, 6-15 or 6-20. (I forgot the numbers until you mentioned them). It wouldn't be allowed now, but my guess is the house was built in the 1950s.

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Re:Plug and socket types around the world by cmvincen on Tuesday September 19, 2023 @09:57PM (#37579557)

Those outlets existed because pre-NEMA there were competing parallel and tandem bladed plugs/sockets [1]. The plugs you saw were probably like examples 2 & 3 in that link. The parallel configuration became NEMA 5-15P and the tandem became NEMA 2-15P.

The NEMA 6 series is wider than the 5 series and the 6-15P probably won't fit in those old outlets, but the NEMA 2-15P would. . . if you could find one.

1. https://plugsocketmuseum.nl/NorthAm2.html

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Re:Plug and socket types around the world by mrgriscom on Wednesday September 20, 2023 @09:52AM (#37584119)

Ah yes, I have seen those before (quite rare). IIRC they don't have holes for the grounding prong, which should prevent plugging in any modern 240V appliance.

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