Wiring a Male Vampire Plug

[kcny]

Can someone explain to me the correct orientation for the wire in a male vampire plug?

Since the plug doesn't say ribbed on it like the female, which way does it go?

Thanks,

Kasey

[magish01]

Take a look at the holes on the female plug. The wider of the two would be your ground or ribbed wire. Just make sure that on your male plugs the "ribbed" side is also the wide blade.

[kcny]

Duh! (on my part)

Thanks for the reply.

[LORisAwesome]

I usually hold the plug in my left hand with the open end oriented to the right. With the plug in this position and holding the wire in my right hand, the ribbed side of the wire should be closest to my body.

I find this works for both the male and female ends. Just to be 100% sure I test it with an ohm meter when I am finished.

Hope this helps

Jerry

[kcny]

Jerry - if you held it in those positions and then looked at the bottom of the plugs, then aren't the wide blades/holes opposite between the make and female ends?

[ShaggySS]

Does the orientation really matter for standard Christmas lights?

I am no electrician so be nice

[jeff bush]

This may help you.

http://www.johnsonschristmascorner.com/Cords.html

[kcny]

Jeff - yes, I looked at that site, but it states "The male plug on the opposite end is done the same way. Make sure you line up the ribbed side correctly, as the male plugs are not marked as "Ribbed"."

I didn't know how you determine the correct side to line up to.

I just followed what Jerry said - and that method works perfectly!

[LORisAwesome]

kcny wrote:

Jerry - if you held it in those positions and then looked at the bottom of the plugs, then aren't the wide blades/holes opposite between the make and female ends?

Possibly. Ths technique I described works for me.

[LORisAwesome]

ShaggySS wrote:

Does the orientation really matter for standard Christmas lights?

I am no electrician so be nice

I guess it depends on what you are using the wire for and where it is located....

If you plan to connect C9 or C7 strings, it most certainly does. You want the hot to be connected to the bottom of the plug, not the side. The reason for this is that you don't want to get a shock if you touch the screw threads on the bulb while screwing/unscrewing it. If the hot side is connected to the side and not the bottom, this is a real possibility.

Jerry