7/25/2019 NEMA Plug and Receptacle Configurations

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Page last updated Jul 16, 2011 @ 12:18am

NEMA Configurations
Terminology

NEMA Configurations

NEMA Nomenclature

Confused about the multitudes of plug, connector and receptacle combinations? This page
will help. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has assigned designations
to the various configurations. The purpose of so many different types is to prevent the wrong
combinations of electrical systems from being plugged together, thereby avoiding potentially
dangerous conditions.

Terminology
Here is the distinction between plugs, receptacles, inlets and connectors.

Flange or Box Mounted Cord Mounted

receptacle - A female flange mounted connector - A female cord mounted

wiring device with the conducting
Connected to live elements recessed behind the mating
source of surface. Often referred to as an outlet.
electricity This type of device is normally wired to be
(female) live when nothing is plugged in to it.
Therefore, receptacles are wired to the
source of power.
wiring device with the conducting
elements recessed behind the mating
surface. This type of device is normally
wired to be live when nothing is plugged
in to it. Therefore, connectors are wired
to the source of power.

inlet - A male flange mounted wiring
device with the conducting pins protruding
and exposed. This type device should
Connected to load never be wired to make the exposed pins
(male) live while the mating device is unplugged.
plug - A male cord mounted wiring device
with the conducting pins protruding and
exposed. This type device should never
be wired to make the exposed pins live
while unplugged. Therefore, plugs are
always dead until they are plugged into a
power source such as a wall outlet or
generator outlet.

NEMA Configurations
This chart
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shows the
most
common
NEMA
configurations
in use in
North
America for
125ac and
250Vac single
phase
systems.
This covers
most
residential
applications.

Twist-lock
devices have
the
advantage of
locking in the
mating
position. This
is useful in
applications
where the
connection
experiences
vibration or
the
associated
cord is
hanging or
subject to
accidental
unplugging.

Additional
configurations
are defined in
the
ANSI/NEMA
WD 6
standard
which cover
higher
voltages, 3
phase
applications,
and specific
purposes
such as travel
trailers,
marine ship-
to-shore and
more.

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NEMA Nomenclature
The NEMA
nomenclature for the
code numbers
follows this table.

If you have a NEMA

code number for a
device, use this table
to determine the
device ratings.

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