Cord ends don't match up

Question

I am putting up Xmas lights outside and have a problem. The female end of the LCD lights has two slots that are the same size. The outdoor extension I want to plug into them has a couple things on the female end and the male end has two prongs that one is small and one is larger therefore will not plug into the female end of the LCD lights. I have not way of running the separate extension directly to the electrical socket because its on the other side of the driveway. I guess it would be hard to visualize this. In any case, how can I over come the two different sizes of male prongs vs. female slots?? Thanks for your help.

Answer

Steve

The outlet has 1 prong larger (neutral wire) because it is polarized for certain devices.A polarized plug can be found at the end of an appliance's electrical cord. For safety reasons, the polarized plug has one blade wider than the other and the polarized plug can only be inserted one way into the electrical outlet. The plug is used to connect an appliance to a home's standard electrical outlet.

All electrical products sold in the US or Canada must meet electrical certification guidelines before they can be marketed. These certified products must have a polarized plug to reduce the hazard of electrical shock. The polarized plug has another safety feature, a ground prong, making it a three-prong plug.

Vintage appliances or lighting fixtures should not be put into use unless the old unsafe two-prong non-polarized type of plug has been changed to a certified polarized plug and meets current electrical standards and regulations.

Electrical cords and polarized plugs should be checked occasionally for any signs of deterioration. If such is detected, discontinue use until the damaged area is replaced with a certified part. Handle electrical cords and polarized plugs with care, never try to force the plug into an outlet and avoid bending the prongs.

You can go to a Hardware or big box store and buy a device that will make the blades work

Question

I am putting up Xmas lights outside and have a problem. The female end of the LCD lights has two slots that are the same size. The outdoor extension I want to plug into them has a couple things on the female end and the male end has two prongs that one is small and one is larger therefore will not plug into the female end of the LCD lights. I have not way of running the separate extension directly to the electrical socket because its on the other side of the driveway. I guess it would be hard to visualize this. In any case, how can I over come the two different sizes of male prongs vs. female slots?? Thanks for your help.

Answer

Unfortunately, you can't plug an extension cord into the end of a miniature light set (LED or traditional). You really can't run much anyway without blowing the fuse. Miniature lights are not polarized (separating hot and neutral), but extension cords and larger light sets are polarized. You'll just have to run a cord along side the lights to power the other end.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Question

I am putting up Xmas lights outside and have a problem. The female end of the LCD lights has two slots that are the same size. The outdoor extension I want to plug into them has a couple things on the female end and the male end has two prongs that one is small and one is larger therefore will not plug into the female end of the LCD lights. I have not way of running the separate extension directly to the electrical socket because its on the other side of the driveway. I guess it would be hard to visualize this. In any case, how can I over come the two different sizes of male prongs vs. female slots?? Thanks for your help.

Answer

Are you certain these are outdoor lights. It sounds as though they do not have a ground if both female slots are the same size. If they are outdoor, I would return them for lights that have a ground, as is I would not consider this set of lights safe unless they are low voltage lights, see what voltage they are rated for. Thanks J

Question

I am putting up Xmas lights outside and have a problem. The female end of the LCD lights has two slots that are the same size. The outdoor extension I want to plug into them has a couple things on the female end and the male end has two prongs that one is small and one is larger therefore will not plug into the female end of the LCD lights. I have not way of running the separate extension directly to the electrical socket because its on the other side of the driveway. I guess it would be hard to visualize this. In any case, how can I over come the two different sizes of male prongs vs. female slots?? Thanks for your help.

Answer

Steve, The extension cord or product you are attempting to plug into your light string has different size prongs on it for polarity. That means the manufacturer does not want the hot and neutral to get mixed up or flip flopped. They do this for many reasons (all of them good). You can make this work (illegally) by doing one of the following:

Go to the hardware store and buy a 120Volt cord cap that has the polarity receptacle on it. Cut off your existing non-polarized receptacle from the light string and replace it with the new. Be sure to test polarity with a volt meter so you terminate the new cord cap correctly. Hot is the small slot and usually has a brass terminal and neutral is the larger slot and usually has a silver terminal. Make you new cap weather resistant with quality electrical tape.

Go to the hardware store and pick up a two to three prong adapter. Check to see if your extension will fit into the female portion of it. Use some sort of file, metal cutting tool or the like and alter the large male prong of the adapter until it is the same size as the other. Use a volt meter to determine which slot on the light string receptacle is hot and which is neutral. Use your newly shaped adapter to plug in the extension while paying close attention to orientation making sure you do not plug it in with reverse polarity. Once plugged in and tested and you're sure the polarity is right, use quality electrical tape to cover the entire connection to prevent other from changing it and keep it weather resistant.

Something to be aware of is the load the light string is capable of carrying. They are normally not rated to carry more than 200 watts at the end receptacle. Check your box or look online for information about your particular light string.

Hope this helps. Be careful and make sure you do not work on anything live.

Rick Scott Master Electrician CES Whitmore Lake, MI 734-546-2089 electricrick@charter.net

I see you have re-posted the question. Are you unhappy with the answer or do you need more information or clarity on a certain portion? The simple answer is cut off the existing cord end and install one that fits your male plug paying attention to polarity. Please let me know if I've helped by rating the response and adding a comment if I have not. Thanks.