Please help - identifying American wall socket?

Question

This sounds strange but I am trying to buy a timer switch for my AC fan unit in my apartment now the weather is turning up. My socket is a 3 pin North American wall socket but one of the 2 straight pins is turned on it's side. I have looked everywhere for the name of this socket so I can find a compatible timer but no where seems to have it listed. Does anyone know the name of it, or where I could find it?

Answer 1

It sounds like a 13A plug like this one http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/201205...

Answer 2

Sockets are supposed to conform to a NEMA standard.  NEMA stands for National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

American sockets can supply 110v or 220v.  Most sockets are rated for 15a, but some have heavier wiring and circuit breaker protection, and can supply up to 20a.

Sockets rated for 110v, 15a, are NEMA 5-15

Sockets rated for 110v, 20a, are NEMA 5-20

The 20a sockets have one pin turned sideways, but will also accept 15a plugs.

Sockets rated for 220v, 15a, are NEMA 6-15.  Both pins are sideways.

Sockets rated for 220v, 20a, are NEMA 6-20. One pin is turned sideways, but the opposite pin from 110v sockets so there can be no mistaken connection.

See the pictures in this link.

http://www.elect-spec.com/nema_plgsokt.h...

Most common timer switches are 110v.  If it doesn't plug into the wall socket, then very likely the wall socket is 220v and would damage the timer.  Many window air conditioners are powered at 220v in order to use less expensive wiring.  If your AC unit is, in fact, 220v you'll need to buy a 220v timer switch.