Outlet Question

@romad  , a few years ago there was a good run of threads related to the ins and outs of installing dedicated circuits, and because of those I learned something that I had done was violating code and may have nullified my home owners in the event of fire.

Anyway, I had put in some new circuits for dedicated lines and I used 12 gauge wire and 20A outlets, BUT I decided I would use 15A circuit-breaker to protect those circuits with as I felt that since a 15A CB should trip at a lower heat than a 20A CB I would be going the extra mile to protect those circuits.  Which I still think is technically true, however I found out here that regardless of what size wire is used, the breaker determines what amperage the circuit actually is, and therefore a 20A outlet (which will accomodate a 20A appliance) on a 15A circuit (which is what  I turned my circuits into by installing 15A breakers, despite the 12 ga wire) is a no-no.

I assume steel backstrap is fine, maybe non magnetic stainless steel is preferable. No?

@vair68robert Said:

I installed them about 10 years ago , model 8200W 15amp

Do they look like these?

Except your’s are the 8200H (15A) hospital grade duplex receptacle. If yes those are the real deal original Hubbell outlet. Check the Agon archives for the Porter Port outlet.

The outlet is/was a Hubbell 8200H / 8300H slender/compact style extra heavy duty hospital grade duplex receptacle. (8200H, 15 amp. 8300H, 20 amp.)

Contacts brass. Supporting back strap brass. Body tough as nails. You could beat it with a hammer and not break it.

Old stock now though...

From Albert Porter’s old ad:

The Hospital grade I was so fond of is (model 8300) is only available with magnetic steel back strap and galvanized plating. This is miserable sounding so I’ve abandoned that design.

By ordering about 1000 pieces at a time, Hubbell is delivering Hospital grade interior parts, unplated and non magnetic in the industrial 5362 body, brass back strap. and Isolated Ground. This is the best Porter Port ever.

The replacement to the old no longer made outlet Albert bought was an IG5362 duplex receptacle. I doubt Hubbell builds that exact outlet anymore with non plated brass contacts and a non plated brass back strap.

NOTE: The Photos in Albert’s ad above are of the old 8300H outlets. Not the IG5362 outlet.

/ / / /

@vair68robert   Said:

The inside is the exact same as the 20 amp , you pay extra for the cover !

Insides are exactly the same right down to the "T" neutral contact for the 20 amp outlet.

As for price, Box Stores charged more for a 20A outlet. I don’t remember if Electrical Wholesale Houses did though.

I do remember Electrical wholesale Houses charged more for a red color 15A hospital grade outlet than the 20A hospital grade outlet. Why? Special run on the Assembly line to build, assemble, the less bought 15A outlet.

..

Try the experiment yourself. I'm willing to bet a $20 home depot receptacle will sound just the same as anything else on the market. 

Why wouldn't it?? 20A, 12ga solid copper wire. I would far more concerned about quality of power coming from the line than a receptacle. Maybe take a look at the voltage sag at various times during the day and night from the public line. LOL I was sure surprised at that and I'm in a very populated area (10M+ people in a 30mi x 80mi stretch)

@imhififan 

Yes a high grade nonmagnetic SS back strap works great. But not a Ferrous magnetic steel back strap.  Use a magnet to check. If it sticks like glue that's not good for the sound of an audio system.

Furutech wall outlets      

~

The Late Al Sekela (A) ,an Audio Asylum member, said the ferrous magnetic steel back strap worked like a one pole inductor because it was positioned between the Hot and neutral current carrying conductors. Do a search on the AA archives for Al's posts.

Al was an EE, and going from memory, his field was in electronics.