Want to buy US 110V wall socket - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Peter Tryndoch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 07:23:55 am
content: Does anyone know where I can buy an American 110v (type B) wall socket and get it shipped to Australia?I am after the unit that would go into a wall box and have a front cover plate.I need it for a step down transformer. But had no luck finding one online so far.The closest I got was a dual outlet (Jermel NTS15) but I need a single outlet.With an earth pin and the front needs to poke through a round hole, with screws on either side for mounting. I hope I have described it as best I can.I'm sure that in America you could just go into any Walmart or the like and there would be lots to choose from.Any ideas / links?Cheers

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 08:48:19 am
content: Duplex are far more common than a single receptacle for home use. They also vary by current rating. 15A is more common.What you describe sounds like this: (attached). Note, that is for 15A max. Our 20A receptacles have a different pin configuration.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 09:18:51 am
content: The proper name for that contact configuration socket is 'NEMA 5-15R'. You may be able to find a panel mount one via a major electronics components distributor that ships internationally if they don't hold local stock and simply add it to your next order, or try searching ebay.com or amazon.com for:NEMA 5-15R single receptacle

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 09:19:44 am
content: Can you mount something like this on the unit?https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32863978116.htmlMaybe by adding a small housing instead of he cover plate (US cover plates are different to those in AU)If not, maybe share a photo of the mounting position.

author: mjkuwp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2022, 03:31:06 am
content: homedepothttps://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-15-Amp-Commercial-Grade-Tamper-Resistant-Single-Outlet-White-R52-T5015-0WS/202066674or Menardsis where I would buy something like that.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2022, 03:42:08 am
content: Quote from: mjkuwp on February 24, 2022, 03:31:06 am.... but do Home Depot or Menards ship to Australia (O.P's location)?

author: Zoli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2022, 03:35:44 pm
content: Panel mount from Digikey Oz:https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/schurter-inc/3-119-051/11200940You're welcome.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2022, 03:43:45 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on February 23, 2022, 08:48:19 amThe 20 A American receptacles for 120 V have an extra notch in the long slot (neutral), but will accept the normal US three-prong plug (two straight blades and round ground).I don't think that I have ever encountered the mating plug that requires the extra notch, but the receptacle is common to indicate that the circuit breaker is 20 A instead of 15 A for that circuit.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2022, 03:45:20 pm
content: Quote from: Kean on February 23, 2022, 09:19:44 amInteresting: that aliexpress listing received just one review (only 1 star), but it was in Russian (which I cannot read).

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2022, 09:18:13 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on February 24, 2022, 03:45:20 pmIt translates to "The rubber gasket is missing."AliExpress do a huge amount business with Russia. I avoid discussing politics, but it might be a good idea to stock up now on any parts sourced from China...

author: Peter Tryndoch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2022, 09:58:43 am
content: jpanhalt - yes this is what I am after, ie the pic you attached.This is the same as the one from Home depot,but they don't ship this item in the US let alone to OZ!If anyone can find someone who will ship that would be great (cheap).I did find a seller in the US but the shipping was more than 3 times the price of the socket.Still hoping to find one that ships cheaper.The panel mount from Digikey is push fit, so it's not likely to stay in place in a round hole.So for now it looks like the one from Aliexpress mentioned by Kean is my favorite.I took a pic of the current socket and the plug that I need to accommodate.Even though it is only 2 pin, I still want a socket with ground.The screws are 64mm (2 & 1/2 inches) apart, although that's not a big issue.I have a drill and I'm not afraid to use it)

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2022, 10:25:36 am
content: I posted the picture knowing HD doesn't ship to Australia. I thought a picture is worth a 1000 words.As for your new images, that plug and socket do not go together. The socket is an unusual 250V version being used for 110V. There is another 250V version that is hardly ever used and has been repurposed to 12V DC in mobile devices (e.g., the 12V supply from my tractor to some attachments). Won't show it to prevent confusion.The plug you show is common for 112/115V appliances, such as coffee makers. The wider pin in the common (groundedline).EDIT: Aliexpress seems to have the proper socket:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32867164844.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2f116367qWvdYs&algo_pvid=0b9e675b-ed90-4829-bb50-4d46ba61e192&algo_exp_id=0b9e675b-ed90-4829-bb50-4d46ba61e192-46&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2265466518911%22%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B8.38%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BUSD%3Bsearch-mainSearchHave you tried searching there or at Banggood?

author: Peter Tryndoch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 09:42:46 am
content: No luck on Bangood either.It seems that the very idea that someone may want one of these outside the US* is beyond them.So it looks like the panel mount one that you and Keen suggested is the one I will go for.Thank you for your help and everyone else.* and other countries

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 05:34:05 pm
content: Quote from: Peter Tryndoch on February 27, 2022, 09:42:46 amI spotted another option for you on AliExpress in the style I believe you were originally after.https://a.aliexpress.com/_mK6gcEMThey also have a 20A version, though I doubt you need that!

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 09:59:04 pm
content: Any option of changing the plug to the Australian version?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 01, 2022, 03:01:31 am
content: Quote from: andy3055 on February 27, 2022, 09:59:04 pmOf course - but a really bad idea.Doing so would circumvent the idea of a 120V plug to go into a 120V socket - when the circuit is 120V. At some point your 120V device could very easily end up being plugged into 240V. Magic smoke emission pretty much guaranteed for anything non-SMPS.The OP specifically mentions a stepdown transformer - and using the correct socket means that this transformer could be used for ANY 120V products (within VA capability) without hacking power cords.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2022, 03:40:54 am
content: Quote from: Peter Tryndoch on February 26, 2022, 09:58:43 amTrying to find something to fit [arbitrary size/spacing], in a foreign mains connector is going to be very hard. Alternatives:suck it up and put a surface mount spacer + socket on the flat panel over the top of the holechange the outlet to IEC C14, and use a C13 to XXX socket pigtail as needed for devices with XXX plugsopen out the hole and fit the screw on NEMA 5-15 socket that digikey stocks

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2022, 09:03:33 pm
content: I do have a box of some that mount like a black tube socket with two screw holes on a metal flange. Now if I can just find them. Qyantity?

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2022, 09:14:44 pm
content: Those old Amphenol tube-socket type AC sockets and chassis-mount plugs (originally available with two or three prongs) are hard to find. I don't know if they meet current electrical codes, but they work beautifully on chassis-based instruments.

author: Peter Tryndoch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2022, 07:24:19 am
content: QuoteYes that's what I want.How come I couldn't find that one."The search is strong in this one"PS, apologies if I mucked up the quoting.

author: Peter Tryndoch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2022, 07:47:12 am
content: QuoteBack when I worked for Telecom (not Telstra)There was an internal magazine where techs would post their horror stories.Getting an additional phone socket in those days meant that you had to get one installed by a Telecom technician and it would cost you some pretty dollarydoos!So one bright customer decided to change the phone plug to a standard 240V one,put in dual sockets around the house where one side was mains and the other was the phone line.Recipe for disaster?Another one was where the phone would not ring, but the dog would bark when there was a call.......

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2022, 11:54:08 am
content: Quote from: Peter Tryndoch on March 08, 2022, 07:47:12 amThat was done in the US when companies detected rings to know and charge for additional phones.

author: Peter Tryndoch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2022, 04:58:46 am
content: QuoteYes, you should bypass the ring capacitor in the 2nd phone and run 3 wires between the phones and not 2.But the story goes in a different direction here:It was common in those days for rural properties to have a single exposed wire on telephone poles leading into the property with an earth return.The resistance of the earth stake had gone high.It still allowed speech but not the ring current.The farmer thought that this nice long wire would make a good dog run.He used a metal chain, so when there was an incoming call,poor Fido got electrocuted with 75Vac!Woof Woof Ark!Disclaimer, the actual voltage would be the resistance in the cable and Fido, or should that be inductance

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2022, 05:19:17 am
content: I can send you whatever you need as long as you're ok paying shipping. There's a Home Depot near my house so if you can find what you want on their website and send me a message I can go pick one up for you. I've had people in other parts of the world send me stuff like this before so I'm happy to return the favor.

author: Peter Tryndoch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 07:18:11 am
content: QuoteQuote from: james_s on March 09, 2022, 05:19:17 amThank you James for your offer, that is really nice of you.I was able to purchase one on Aliexpress for around AU$7CheersPeter