| bowgus 2006-12-27, 3:25 am |
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Gary KW4Z wrote:
> That would matter greatly, if the factory cord was replaced by someone else.
> Neutral (Wide Blade or Slot) is usually at Ground potential (common with
> Ground in the breaker box), do not confuse or try to equate with 220 Volt
> circuit though strictly speaking 110 Volts. Anyway if the vacuum cleaner
> has a metal case or to any case, the case would be at electrical neutral or
> ground potential when plugged in and everything is wired right. If however
> someone wired the Vacuum backwards (Hot & Neutral Reversed) or any appliance
> for that matter then it's possible that when plugged in the case, metal,
> plastic, or screws securing the case would be at HOT Potential rather than
> ground. Then if you touch the case, screw etc with one hand and touch
> another appliance that is wired correctly (Case at true ground potential)
> then you have 110 Volts traveling through your body. That is the danger, if
> the Vacuum's cord was replaced incorrectly. Black would go to the Narrow
> blade or slot and usually is a copper terminal whereas the White wire is the
> Neutral, larger or longer slot or blade in the receptacle and and silver,
> nickel in color. Green is Grounding (third wire).
>
> If the vacuum is not double insulated and there is some question or if it's
> a metal case you can always, with a volt ohm meter check the continuity
> between the vacuum case, screws or any metal part with the white wire and
> the black wire and see if you have a connection between them. Every case
> can be different so don't assume anything always double check and verify.
>
Vacuum cleaners around here are 2 prong ... as are most small
appliances, PCs, ... Plug em in any which way, no problem.
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