I just answered my own question with a little research, the line and neutral are swapped when using these universal power strips they have here in China.  The China plug appears to have the line prong on the opposite side of the ground than the US plug.  My question now is could this cause problems in the equipment over time if we leave it this way.  Theoretically it shouldn't matter because it is AC and in the US it is sometimes used that way for many years due to a little do-it-yourself wiring.  But is it ok in China?  With the demand here the power fluctuates a bit more than in the US.  We lost a fuse on the power supply in one of our systems, I am wondering if this had anything to do with it.
 
Thanks,
Jim

________________________________

From: James Verrette
Sent: Wed 5/16/2007 2:54 AM
To: 'TechNet E-Mail Forum'
Subject: AC Outlets in China


We are plugging an IEC to US plug power cord into a universal power strip in Shenzhen.  The IEC jack on the equiment is wired according to the L N and G markings on it.  When we plug into the power strip the neutral is at 220 with respect to gnd and the line is very low AC voltage with respect to ground. THis tells me we have the line and neutral swapped.  Is the position of the line with respect to the ground in the outlet the opposite in China as in the US?
 
I suppose if we actually bought a China power cord we wouldn't be having these issues.  Supply is universal input so we don't need a transformer.
 
-Jim  

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