Lowel Tota AC Power Question at DVinfo.net

Andrew Bennett · June 3rd, 2010, 03:44 PM

So the receptacle for the AC power cord on one of my Lowel Tota lights broke off from the plastic that holds it. We were going to just create a pigtail out of another power cord and splice that to the wires that were connected to the original receptacle. Problem is, once I got everything apart the wires are not color coded like they should be. Green is there, and it is of course ground but the other two cables are both white and of the same gauge. One has printing on it and one does not. Does anyone have any idea which one is live?

Jim Andrada · June 3rd, 2010, 10:54 PM

I believe that "color coding" is required by the electrical code for wiring buildings etc but not necessarily for equipment.

Typically the electrical code says somewhere that it doesn't apply to equipment that's on the other side of a "disconnecting device" - such as a plug in your case.

I think one way to figure out which is which would be to look and see which wire runs directly to the switch - this should be the hot line, otherwise there would be live wires inside the unit when the switch is turned off.

Another way might be to remove the bulb and connect the hot pigtail wire to either of the internal wires. Then make sure the switch is "off"and use a meter to see if there is power on either of the lamp contacts. If not you're almost certainly connected correctly. If either of the lamp contacts are "live" with the switch turned off, reverse your wire connections. and check again to make sure neither contact is "hot".

If this doesn't work ask Lowel!

(I have a 3-phase bandsaw and all the internal wires are black - with the exception of a gray wire with a green stripe which is the ground. Of course, with 3-phase motors, if it spins in the wrong direction just reverse any two of the three hot wires and you'll be in business!)

Andrew Bennett · June 4th, 2010, 03:16 PM

Jim
Thanks for the tips, unfortunately, our light doesn't have a switch. They are only like $150 new so I should just see if we could put in a PO for a new one instead of blowing up engineers or the news room haha

June 3rd, 2010, 03:44 PM	#1
Andrew Bennett Tourist Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2	Lowel Tota AC Power Question So the receptacle for the AC power cord on one of my Lowel Tota lights broke off from the plastic that holds it. We were going to just create a pigtail out of another power cord and splice that to the wires that were connected to the original receptacle. Problem is, once I got everything apart the wires are not color coded like they should be. Green is there, and it is of course ground but the other two cables are both white and of the same gauge. One has printing on it and one does not. Does anyone have any idea which one is live?

June 3rd, 2010, 10:54 PM	#2
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	I believe that "color coding" is required by the electrical code for wiring buildings etc but not necessarily for equipment. Typically the electrical code says somewhere that it doesn't apply to equipment that's on the other side of a "disconnecting device" - such as a plug in your case. I think one way to figure out which is which would be to look and see which wire runs directly to the switch - this should be the hot line, otherwise there would be live wires inside the unit when the switch is turned off. Another way might be to remove the bulb and connect the hot pigtail wire to either of the internal wires. Then make sure the switch is "off"and use a meter to see if there is power on either of the lamp contacts. If not you're almost certainly connected correctly. If either of the lamp contacts are "live" with the switch turned off, reverse your wire connections. and check again to make sure neither contact is "hot". If this doesn't work ask Lowel! (I have a 3-phase bandsaw and all the internal wires are black - with the exception of a gray wire with a green stripe which is the ground. Of course, with 3-phase motors, if it spins in the wrong direction just reverse any two of the three hot wires and you'll be in business!)

June 4th, 2010, 03:16 PM	#3
Andrew Bennett Tourist Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2	Jim Thanks for the tips, unfortunately, our light doesn't have a switch. They are only like $150 new so I should just see if we could put in a PO for a new one instead of blowing up engineers or the news room haha