Electrical Power Cord Type

[Jake]

I'm thinking about buying an electric brewing system from High Gravity Brew.  For the power cord plug type, i have the option of:

-3 prong plug (nema10-30p)
-4 prong plug (nema14-30p)

Does anyone know what the difference is, or why I should go with one over the other? I do not have any receptacles set up in the basement so could theoretically do either ... i'll be within 10-15 feet of the panel. Anyone on here with some electrical knowledge? I'm going to have my electrician install this stuff. cheers.

[Roger]

I'm no electrician and @Fhilo  might be able to chime in. But if I were you I would go with the 4 prong that way you'll be properly grounded. From what I understand 3 prong has two hot lines and one neutral. But the 4 prong has two hot, one neutral and one ground. Oh and make sure for safety sake get yourself a GFCI. That way you only cook your wort not yourself. 

[brew]

Actually I believe the 4 prong has a common whereas the 3 prong does not. The common is used with either hot wire to get 120v (like in a stove) whereas the 3 prong only has two hots so you can only get 240v (like in a dryer)...

[JamesC]

http://www.generatorsforhomeuse.us/wp-content/uploads/nema10-30r.jpg.

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/UR/urelectrician/2013-08-06_005938_dryer_receptacle_14-30r_4-wire.jpg

http://www.operatorchan.org/t/src/140288771227.png


The 4 conductor gives you more flexibility for circuit design, neutral and ground are tied together in most panels though,  so either is fine and properly grounded.

[Fhilo]

Brew is correct

[Fhilo]

I sell most of that stuff, so feel free to stop by and look around

[Roger]

Actually I believe the 4 prong has a common whereas the 3 prong does not. The common is used with either hot wire to get 120v (like in a stove) whereas the 3 prong only has two hots so you can only get 240v (like in a dryer)...

My bad! Like I said I'm no electrician. 

[JamesC]

Unless you bring that connector into a panel, in which case you can get 120 between the neutral and either of the hots.

[brew]

Unless you bring that connector into a panel, in which case you can get 120 between the neutral and either of the hots.

Do you mean connecting one of hot wires to the ground in a 3 wire set up? That would effectively energize the ground...

[JamesC]

No, definitely not that. You get 120 between the neutral and hot. 240 between L1 and L2.

[brew]

Right ya I like power - more power!

[Kyle]

4 wire is best from my point of view. That way you can run 120v and 240v in the same brewery control panel. I run the elements at 240, and the pumps, grain mill, fan, and keg washer at 120.

[JamesC]

The only thing preventing you from running a 120/240 setup with a 3 conductor cable without ground is electrical code (which I'm not an expert on.) It is electrically possible to do, and was done that way in the past. Just don't use neutral to bond the panel and there wouldn't be a problem. The panel can be grounded to a copper pipe or whatever.

[Jake]

So the consensus here is go with the 4 prong?

[JamesC]

Personally, I'd be cheap and go 3 prong, but that's me.