Probably a basic question, but I am rewiring a vacuum cleaner plug. Which
goes on the wide prong of the plug - the black or white wire?

Thanks

The wide one is the white or neutral



"Buck Turgidson" wrote in message
...
Probably a basic question, but I am rewiring a vacuum cleaner plug. Which
goes on the wide prong of the plug - the black or white wire?

Thanks

Buck Turgidson wrote:
Probably a basic question, but I am rewiring a vacuum cleaner plug. Which
goes on the wide prong of the plug - the black or white wire?

Thanks



Look at the color of the screws on the receptacle's terminals. That
should answer your question.
--
Tom Horne

Well we aren't no thin blue heroes and yet we aren't no blackguards to.
We're just working men and woman most remarkable like you.

Look at the color of the screws on the receptacle's terminals. That
should answer your question.


Thanks for the education! That's handy to know.

Typically the black is "hot" which goes on the narrow blade. The
white is neutral, which goes on the wide blade.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"Buck Turgidson" wrote in message
...
Probably a basic question, but I am rewiring a vacuum cleaner
plug. Which
goes on the wide prong of the plug - the black or white wire?

Thanks

Aye......the colors within plug..... The silver screw is nuetral(white)
and the gold screw is hot(black).

Buck Turgidson wrote:
Probably a basic question, but I am rewiring a vacuum cleaner plug. Which
goes on the wide prong of the plug - the black or white wire?

Thanks

Then the question is ... which way did the vacuum cleaner assembler
wire the cord it at the other end ... and why does it matter :-)

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.



On 12/26/06 12:55 PM, in article
, "bowgus"
wrote:


Buck Turgidson wrote:
Probably a basic question, but I am rewiring a vacuum cleaner plug. Which
goes on the wide prong of the plug - the black or white wire?

Thanks

Then the question is ... which way did the vacuum cleaner assembler
wire the cord it at the other end ... and why does it matter :-)

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.