Plugs on Festools

[harry_]

To clarify (hopefully):  The usual "15 amp style" 110 v.  is actually rated to take up to 20 amps.  So it is possible to run a 20 amp circuit (with appropriate wiring), terminate it with a "15 amp style" outlet, and use it (legally) for 20 amps.  In that case, you can't tell from the outlet whether it is for a 20 amp circuit or a 15 amp circuit.  You'll have to go to the circuit breaker box.  Around here (central PA) it's hard to get anyone to install a 20 amp style outlet.  And the only good reason to do so that I can think of is if you have a Festool Vac and don't like using a dongle.

Tom in Central PA

Many/most new homes around here that do not have central air conditioning have a 20A near a window.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

The only places where I see a actual 20 amp recept is either in a bathroom (gfi circuits) or in a kitchen (also gfi).

It is custom to see 15 amp outlets in almost all houses, a lot of the Cracker box houses run 14-2 with 15 amp breakers and outlets.

I have only had my CT-22 trip one breaker while working at someone's house, it is a miracle that the house has not burned to the ground with the worong mess that was going on.

I did run it on a 30 amp circuit with 30 amp recept that was run for portable heating and cooling units.

 

[nickao]

And the only good reason to do so that I can think of is if you have a Festool Vac and don't like using a dongle.

Tom in Central PA

Well if you have a work shop it is plenty good reason to have 20 amp receptacles and circuits. In my garage(shop)I have all 20 amp circuits with 20 amp receptacles as well as 220V in 20, 30 and 50amp.

If I did not have the 20amp circuits I would be blowing circuits all day long, like I did before the garage was re-wired.

In my home the breaker box has all 20 amp circuits and most all receptacles are 15 amp, except for the GFI's.

 

[Corwin]

And the only good reason to do so that I can think of is if you have a Festool Vac and don't like using a dongle.

Tom in Central PA

Well if you have a work shop it is plenty good reason to have 20 amp receptacles and circuits. In my garage(shop)I have all 20 amp circuits with 20 amp receptacles as well as 220V in 20, 30 and 50amp.

If I did not have the 20amp circuits I would be blowing circuits all day long, like I did before the garage was re-wired.

In my home the breaker box has all 20 amp circuits and most all receptacles are 15 amp, except for the GFI's.

It looks like you missed Tom's point.  Most any home will have one or more 20amp circuits, but in many areas you will not find any of the 20amp outlets, but rather there will be 15amp outlets on both the 15 and 20amp circuits.  None of the homes I have owned to date have had any 20amp outlets on the 20amp circuits.  None.  And there is nothing I own other than my Festool CTs that have a 20amp plugin.  So, I completely agree with Tom's statement that, "the only good reason to do so that I can think of is if you have a Festool Vac and don't like using a dongle."

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I hate it when I step on my dongle. [tongue]

 

[nickao]

Corwin that is not quite true, there is another reason.

I have a bunch of separate circuits in my shop with a single receptacle on the circuit. This was done to make sure nothing additional got plugged in those circuits. I did this for specific machines like my drum sander that always popped fuses. Also my air scrubbers are all single receptacle in the ceiling and my table saw that is a 1 3/4 HP also popped fuses even if an additional light was used on the circuit so again I use a single receptacle on the 20 amp circuit.

If you have a single receptacle on a 20 amp circuit code requires you use the slotted 20 amp receptacle.

The difference in price was nothing as the elcetrician charged the same for the heavy duty 15 amp and the 20 amp receptacles.

If you read the Canadian codes the receptacles must match the circuit. Only in the US can we get away with 15 amp receptacle on 20 amp circuit. Unless that changed in the last 10 years.. Still in the US I personally would always use a heavy duty 15 amp receptacle if it is on a 20 amp circuit rather than the cheap 15 amp receptacles, which again are about the same cost as the 20 amp receptacles.

Warner keep that dongle in your pants and you won't step on it.  

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Corwin that is not quite true, there is another reason.

......

If you have a single receptacle on a 20 amp circuit code requires you use the slotted 20 amp receptacle.

Just for clarification, this is a single receptacle:

This is a Duplex (20 amp) receptacle, and counts as 2 receptacles. A single duplex 15 amp receptacle may be placed on a 20 amp circuit.

 

[mouppe]

Thanks Tom

We have 240v here , so thats the difference, I was convinced you guys were on 220v for some reason.

John

Interestingly (or not!), the UK used to be 240V but it is actually closer to 230V because of a Europe-wide harmonization since 1988 or thereabouts. Brits just still refer to it as 240V because most people are unaware of the change.

Richard.

 

[Jim Becker]

We have 240v here , so thats the difference, I was convinced you guys were on 220v for some reason.

US nominal voltage is 240v/120v, although many folks refer to it as 220v/110v in conversations. (I have about 245 actually coming off the pole and had to put a step-down transformer on my MiniMax slider to keep it from tripping the over-voltage circuitry) The actual delivered voltage can vary slightly with geography, line gage and distances as well as load on the transformer servicing your home.

 

[stevep]

Hi Tom

On open new build constrution site , we are required to use 110v tools.

John

Not necessarily - it's not a legal requirement. Some companies still stipulate 110v, but since residual current devices and MCBs are now commonplace it really isn't necessary.