Confusion over tool cord wiring.

[ellal]

Hopefully this is the correct forum.

I've inherited a Makita RTO700C palm router which was apparently working, except it has a badly damaged cord.

Thought I'd replace the cord before using, but the existing wiring is at odds with the wiring diagram.

The diagram I have is as below ( https://www.makita.nl/images/files/onderdelen/nl/RT0700C-TE.pdf Page 12)

As far as I can see from the above, 2 should be neutral (blue) and 1 brown for a UK power lead.

However the existing wiring was the other way around.

Normally the live goes through the switch, so am correct in assuming that the existing wiring is wrong?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes.

See the shaded part.

 

[EFLImpudence]

 

[ellal]

Thanks for the reply EFL

That was the bit I was looking at when questionning the existing wiring.

Just wanted to check as I was puzzled as to why it would have worked with reversed wiring, although I didn't try it beforehand as the cable had a bare live!

 

[Echo the husky]

Most countries have reversible 2 pin plugs, so could end up connected any way around, the appliance won't know the difference.

 

[EFLImpudence]

With alternating current, it doesn't matter which way round the wires are connected as far as it working is concerned.

However, with British fused plugs it affects the safety measures.

 

[ellal]

Understand about AC working both ways, but was wondering whether the controller in the circuit would differentiate.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest, as just being safety conscious!

 

[EFLImpudence]

but was wondering whether the controller in the circuit would differentiate.

Nope - remember in Europe you can plug in both ways.

 

[bernardgreen]

In the USA black is Live ( UK brown ) and White is Neutral ( UK blue )

If this is a USA product then check the voltage it operates on is 230 volts and not the USA supply voltage which is 110 volts

 

[ellal]

It's definately 230/240v bernard

 

[Jackrae]

With alternating current, it doesn't matter which way round the wires are connected as far as it working is concerned.

However, with British fused plugs it affects the safety measures.

What difference does the internal wiring of the device make to the workings of the fused plug. Surely it's the relationship between the socket and the plug that determines plug safety.

 

[EFLImpudence]

What difference does the internal wiring of the device make to the workings of the fused plug. Surely it's the relationship between the socket and the plug that determines plug safety.

Yes, that's true.

So, either the diagram is not necessary and it can be wired either way round, or

they are ensuring in Britain the line is switched.

 

[winston1]

In the USA black is Live ( UK brown ) and White is Neutral ( UK blue )

If this is a USA product then check the voltage it operates on is 230 volts and not the USA supply voltage which is 110 volts

No USA is 120 volts plus or minus 5%. i.e. 114 to 126 volts.

 

[bernardgreen]

No USA is 120 volts plus or minus 5%. i.e. 114 to 126 volts.

120 volts NOMINAL , Edision determined 110 volts DC was good for his lamps so his generation stations were 110 volt DC. Then AC became more sensible and more popular so 110 volt AC became the chosen voltage. A national upgrade to 120 volts nominal started in the late 1950's and it certainly wasn't completed by 1978 when parts of New Jersey were still 110 volts and below as were many other places. In College Park, Maryland 2002 the voltage was referred to as being 110 volts but as I don't always take a multi-meter on holiday with me I couldn't prove or disprove that the voltage really was 110 volt.

 

[winston1]

I don't always take a multi-meter on holiday with me I couldn't prove or disprove that the voltage really was 110 volt.

So now you've been caught out.

Last year in Brooklyn I measured it at 123 volts using a small plug in voltmeter which I believe is accurate.