Electrical Wiring Question

[oldhudson]

My main woodworking tool is an old Shopsmith. Years ago I had an electrician install a dedicated ceiling mounted 20amp circuit for that equipment. (They run better on a 20 amp circuit than a 15) Recently I broke off the grounding prone. For safety I want this fixed. The ceiling mounted circuit has an older style receptacle with two parallel slots, one for the hot and the other for the neutral.  I thought I'd just replace the receptacle on the Shopsmith, but all the 20 amp plug ends no longer have two parallel slots, ones at right angles. Geez I hope someone is following this. I can take pics if needed. Anyway - can I use a 15 amp or do I need to replace both ends???  

Thanks for reading this. 

[Dan]

If you have a 20 Amp breaker the wiring and outlets need to be 20 Amp. 

[tgiro]

What Dan said - most states have wiring codes. If you are running from a 20 amp breaker then the socket & plugs must be up to code. The stores in your state will only sell sockets and plugs that meet the code.

[WayneMahler]

Giving electrical advice on a forum can be dangerous. It all depends on how much skill and knowledge the person doing the work has. To convert a 20A receptacle to a three prong is fairly  straight forward. Turn off the power to that receptacle, test to make sure the power is off. Remove the cover then the 2 screws holding the fixture into box. Loosen the screws hold the wires to the receptacle then remove the receptacle . You should have 3 wires for the receptacle , black - hot, white - neutral and a brass one, this is the ground. Attach the black wire to the brass colored screw, the white wire to the silver screws and the brass ( or green ) to the green screw. Install the receptacle back into the box and replace the cover. Turn the power back on and test to make sure all went well.

[RabidAlien]

Dunno the exact name for that outlet type, but I see those at work all the time for copiers.  There's little pigtail adapters you can get, but I wouldn't trust those any longer than it takes to get the correct outlet/plug.  Check Granger or someplace like Ace, Tractor Supply, Lowes, or Home Depot, they should have 20a outlets with straight plugs.

 

Quick searches:

Grainger:  https://www.grainger.com/search/electrical/electrical-supplies/installed-wiring-devices-wall-switches-and-receptacles/straight-blade-receptacles?attrs=Amps+-+Plugs+and+Receptacles|20+A~ATTRS|20~ATTRS~~Type+-+Plugs+and+Receptacles|Straight+Blade&filters=attrs&searchQuery=20a+outlet&sst=4&tv_optin=true

 

Lowes: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pass-Seymour-Pass-and-Seymour-CR20CC12-20A-125V-2-Pole-3-Wire-Grounding-Heavy-Duty-Duplex-Outlet-Brown/5001015459

 

Home Depot:  https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-20-Amp-Commercial-Grade-Duplex-Outlet-White-R62-CBR20-00W/202066702

 

Prices vary (anywhere from $3 at HD to near $20 at Lowes) but I may have clicked on a multipack.

[Roberta Moreton]

Replace both ends and make sure it is properly grounded. 

[Sparkey]

I have been an electrician since 1976 and a 20 amp outlet has looked like this as long as I have known. If you have anything different it is not 20 amp 120 volt.

Edited December 19, 2020 by Sparkey

[amazingkevin]

11 hours ago, Sparkey said:

I have been an electrician since 1976 and a 20 amp outlet has looked like this as long as I have known. If you have anything different it is not 20 amp 120 volt.

Good one Sparky!!! A picture is worth a thousand words!!!