DC plugs and outlets [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Pratt" <dmpratt at sbcglobal.net>
Funny...I was just proofreading John Wiles "NEC Suggested Practices" on
this very subject this afternoon. What you're suggesting works okay, but
be aware the Code specifically prohibits both the dual voltage on one
plug scheme, and using the bare ground wire as the common negative. 10/3
would cure the negative on bare wire problem, but the dual voltage in a
single outlet seems like an accident waiting to happen. If different
voltage plugs fit the same outlet, it's inevitable. (I'd use two
different oddball outlets if a house has both 12 & 24v outlets.)

Doug,
Not sure about the "dual voltage on one plug scheme". I couldn't find that
prohibition in Wiles' book (2001 edition pgs. 48-49), only the prohibition
about using the ground wire for B-. Can you cite the Code reference?

Re: "If different voltage plugs fit the same outlet, it's inevitable."--no,
unless the custom plug that is adapted to the load device is miswired, or
the receptacle is miswired at installation. It's still a three-wire set, so
you can't plug it in upside down and get the wrong voltage. The point of the
240V 15A NEMA 6-15 is that it's so weird that nothing else is likely to be
plugged in improperly. Can you say more?

Kurt,
OK, missed that about the 10/3. To be Code, don't leave the green open, wire
it as a grounding conductor.

Agreed about how cigarette lighter sockets suck. However, people still ask
for them, because car stuff (cell phone chargers, etc.) fits. I warn
customers that the ones we carry (that we get from AEE) are of poor quality,
and to be careful with the assembly, use a plastic box to avoid a parallel
ground path, and use a smaller-gauge stranded pigtail to make the
connection. Can anyone suggest an easy-to-buy-from wholesale source of
higher-quality, reasonably-priced, longer-lasting cig lighter receptacles to
fit a wall-mount single-gang box?

Thanks, Allan @+E

----- Original Message ----- 
 From: "Kurt Nelson" <sunwise at cheqnet.net>
Thanks Allan -- But I must mention that I wasn't talking about the
current carrying conductors, rather the outlet and plug wiring scenario.
I did mention using 10/3 Romex to each outlet, but that cable would have
three current carrying conductors and a ground.

I'd leave the green open, the white to negative (grounded at the magic
spot), and the black and red for 12 and 24 volt positive.  Such a
circuit would have over current protection of 15 amps each positive
outlet.

If the supply wire can handle the current, as can the outlet, and the
manufacturer's plug (and thereby their wire), can't we at least agree
that these outlets are better than cigarette plugs (and why aren't those
banned!?)?

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