What is this socket for? 12V?

Jayco Gypsy · Senior Member

RE: What is this socket for? 12V?

Duh · Guru

Thanks Cathy, I do have three ciggy sockets, one in the cab, one next to the T plug, and I found another in the rear of the van near the back door....

Duh · Guru

I see so yours is some sort of ciggy attachment that plugs into your 12V T socket..

Good to know I have a few options, but didn't know what the T socket was for as I had never had/used one before, I think the previous owner may have used it for his TV.

Hope you find your camera, I found my mobile under my bed where I must have dropped it and accidently kicked it under!

-- Edited by Duh on Thursday 11th of July 2013 12:04:18 AM

Jayco Gypsy · Senior Member

Vic I don't have any ciggy sockets in the van. The T plug with the socket is all I have. With that many sockets in your camper you probably won't need to use the T socket. Haven't posted a pick yet. Put the camera in a safe place. So safe I can't find it.

Duh · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
The T plug as you refer to it is meant to be a low voltage outlet. If you have a 12 volt appliance, the lead should have a reciprocal T plug that fits into the outlet. In some countries, particularly the USA, some outlets have 2 parallel recepticles. This design is to prevent 240 volt appliances being plugged into 12 volt sockets and 12 volt appliances plugged into 240 volts. (American system is actually 220 volts)

Thanks BG, the term T plug was used by someone in an earlier post, and considering the shape of the pin inlets seems to make a good simple way of describing it as to the configuration of the pins (with a little separation of course).

Your explanation certainly makes sense and I can see it is a good way to avoid confusion over the power supply.

Thanks Vic smile

-- Edited by Duh on Thursday 11th of July 2013 07:46:37 AM

Big Gorilla · Guru

The T plug as you refer to it is meant to be a low voltage outlet. If you have a 12 volt appliance, the lead should have a reciprocal T plug that fits into the outlet. In some countries, particularly the USA, some outlets have 2 parallel recepticles. This design is to prevent 240 volt appliances being plugged into 12 volt sockets and 12 volt appliances plugged into 240 volts. (American system is actually 220 volts)

Big Gorilla · Guru

The photos show the plug for the T or polarized socket. Also a sample of American plug and socket.

dorian · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
(American system is actually 220 volts)

120VAC for single-phase and 208VAC for 3-phase power.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country

Big Gorilla · Guru

dorian wrote:
Big Gorilla wrote:
(American system is actually 220 volts)
120VAC for single-phase and 208VAC for 3-phase power.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country

You are correct Dorian, my mistake. From Wikipedia:
"Standardized at 120 V. Electricity suppliers aim to keep most customers supplied between 114 and 126 V most of the time. 240 V/60 Hz used for large appliances. Large residential buildings frequently have 120/208V 3-phase power, with large appliances being connected between two of the phases, giving a voltage of 208 volts."
When I stated 220 volts, I was thinking of the Philippines. I lived there for many years amongst Americans from the U.S. Military Bases. To cater for the Americans, most Hotels etc. had 120 volt and 220 volt outlets. 220 volts is the voltage used in the Philippines and suited Americans for their larger appliances. I'm surprised at Wikipedia's comment that larger appliances use 240 volts in the U.S.. I also lived in California for a time and recall the voltage there was 220.

Jayco Gypsy · Senior Member

Camera found. This is what I use in the caravan to run 12volt things.

Duh · Guru

Thanks for the further info and photo's BG, Dorian and Cathy ! smile

dorian · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
When I stated 220 volts, I was thinking of the Philippines. I lived there for many years amongst Americans from the U.S. Military Bases. To cater for the Americans, most Hotels etc. had 120 volt and 220 volt outlets. 220 volts is the voltage used in the Philippines and suited Americans for their larger appliances. I'm surprised at Wikipedia's comment that larger appliances use 240 volts in the U.S.. I also lived in California for a time and recall the voltage there was 220.

I worked on American computer gear for over 10 years. In fact I still have US stuff in my garage. I also spent about 3 months in the States.

That said, I don't have any experience with the higher voltage devices, as these all had inbuilt transformers which were tapped for 240VAC. The lower voltage devices required locally procured 240V/110V transformers, but that was over 20 years ago.

oldtrack123 · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
dorian wrote:
Big Gorilla wrote:
(American system is actually 220 volts)
120VAC for single-phase and 208VAC for 3-phase power.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country

You are correct Dorian, my mistake. From Wikipedia:
"Standardized at 120 V. Electricity suppliers aim to keep most customers supplied between 114 and 126 V most of the time. 240 V/60 Hz used for large appliances. Large residential buildings frequently have 120/208V 3-phase power, with large appliances being connected between two of the phases, giving a voltage of 208 volts."
When I stated 220 volts, I was thinking of the Philippines. I lived there for many years amongst Americans from the U.S. Military Bases. To cater for the Americans, most Hotels etc. had 120 volt and 220 volt outlets. 220 volts is the voltage used in the Philippines and suited Americans for their larger appliances. I'm surprised at Wikipedia's comment that larger appliances use 240 volts in the U.S.. I also lived in California for a time and recall the voltage there was 220.

Hi Big Gorilla

I think the real problem is the USA really does not have a "STANDARD" supply voltage
IT was 110V for single phase for a long time
Then they had transformers with a centre tapped secondary to get 110V for normal domestic use & 220V for heavier domestic type use
Their 3phase system was380< 400V
Now they aim to supply the consumer between110<120V single phase AND for heavy loads 220<240C
PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 12th of July 2013 03:41:28 PM