Does A Nema 6-20 Have A Neutral?

A NEMA 6-20 outlet is a type of electrical outlet that provides 240 volt power and is configured with two horizontal slots and no round ground pin hole. The “NEMA” designation refers to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, which sets standards for outlets, plugs, and receptacles in North America. The “6” indicates it provides 240 volts, while the “20” indicates it has a 20 amp maximum capacity. The 6-20 outlet allows devices requiring high wattage at 240 volts to be powered, making it useful for major appliances, machinery, pumps, motors, HVAC systems, and industrial equipment. It has a distinctive shape that differentiates it from standard 120 volt household outlets.

NEMA Rating System

NEMA, or the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, has established a rating system to classify the types of environments electrical enclosures can be used in. NEMA ratings define the level of protection an enclosure provides based on its ability to prevent the ingress of solid objects, dust, water, corrosive agents, and access to hazardous parts.

NEMA ratings consist of two numbers. The first number indicates protection against ingress of solid objects and dust. Higher numbers indicate higher levels of protection. For example, a rating of 3 would prevent ingress of wires, small tools, etc, while a rating of 6 would prevent ingress of dust.

The second NEMA number refers to protection against liquids. Higher numbers indicate higher levels of protection. For example, a rating of 4 would protect against splashing water, while a rating of 6 would protect against powerful water jets.

By classifying enclosures using this standardized system, NEMA ratings enable easy comparison between products and ensure suitability for intended environments.

6-20 Plug Configuration

The NEMA 6-20 plug has a unique physical layout that sets it apart from other NEMA configurations. It contains three pins – two vertical blade pins that are angled slightly and one U-shaped ground pin below. The two vertical pins are 6.5mm in diameter and spaced 22mm apart, with one rotated 90 degrees from the other to allow for polarization. This ensures that the plug can only be inserted into the outlet one way for safety.

The two vertical blade pins are the current-carrying conductors, providing two 120V “hot” or “line” connections that combine to supply 240V power in total. One of the blades is the “L1” phase, while the other is the “L2” phase. The U-shaped ground pin located beneath connects to the ground wire and provides a ground path to protect users from electric shocks. Unlike some plug configurations, the 6-20 does not contain a dedicated neutral pin.

The 6-20 was designed to deliver a maximum of 20 amps at 250 volts. It is classified as a high current configuration intended for major appliances. The plug’s capacity makes it well-suited for uses requiring substantial power output.

In summary, the unique 6-20 layout consists of two angled vertical blades for the 240V supply and a U-shaped ground pin below. The polarization feature and high current capacity differentiate it from other common NEMA plugs used for lower power applications.

Neutral Wire in 6-20 Outlet

The NEMA 6-20 outlet is designed for 240 volt circuits and does not include a neutral wire. The 6-20 plug and receptacle have three prongs – two ungrounded (hot) conductors and one grounding conductor. This allows the 6-20 to deliver 240 volts of power, but without a neutral wire it cannot provide 120 volt power.

The lack of a neutral wire in the 6-20 outlet simplifies the wiring as only two ungrounded supply wires need to be pulled to the outlet location. However, it limits what can be plugged into the 6-20 outlet. Most common household electronics and lighting require a neutral wire and 120 volts, so the 6-20 outlet can only be used for larger 240 volt appliances such as electric vehicle charging stations, welders, and HVAC equipment.

If an application requires 120/240 volt power, an outlet with a neutral wire is needed, such as a 14-30 or 6-30 outlet. The neutral allows 120 volts between either ungrounded conductor and neutral for smaller loads, while still providing 240 volts between the two ungrounded conductors for larger loads.

6-20 Uses

The NEMA 6-20 outlet is commonly used to power various appliances and equipment that require a 240V 20A electrical supply. Some of the most common uses and appliances powered by the 6-20 outlet include:

Electric Vehicle Chargers: Many Level 2 EV chargers utilize the 6-20 outlet to deliver a 240V supply for faster charging. This allows EVs to recharge overnight or top-up during the day at public charging stations.

Air Conditioners: Larger window or portable A/C units often require a 240V hookup to run the compressor. A 6-20 outlet provides an ideal solution for powering these heavy-duty air conditioners.

Welders: Most amateur and light-duty welders draw less than 20 amps and can be powered via a 6-20 outlet. This provides ample capacity for welding small projects or hobby work.

High-Power Tools: Certain saws, presses, pumps and other large power tools are designed for 240V operation. The 6-20 outlet allows these tools to be used in a workshop or garage setting.

Commercial Kitchen Equipment: Many commercial appliances like convection ovens, food warmers and steamers connect to a 6-20 plug. This allows them to be easily installed in restaurants or catering kitchens.

Industrial Machinery: In manufacturing and industrial settings, the 6-20 outlet might power process equipment, robotics, motors or pumps up to 20 amps.

Overall, the NEMA 6-20 excels at powering medium-duty 240V appliances between 12A to 20A that would overload a smaller plug but don’t require the capacity of a larger 30A or 50A outlet.

Installing a 6-20 Outlet

Installing a new 6-20 outlet requires running the correct gauge wires between the outlet and circuit breaker panel. According to this source, the recommended wire gauge for a 6-20 outlet is 10 AWG for runs up to 55 feet, and 8 AWG for longer runs.

Make sure to follow local electrical codes, but generally the steps are:

1. Turn off power at the breaker panel and use a non-contact voltage tester to verify it’s off.
2. Run 10 AWG (or thicker 8 AWG) /3 cable from the breaker panel to the outlet location.
3. Connect the hot wires to the brass terminals, neutral wire to the silver terminal, and ground wire to the green screw or terminal.
4. Secure the outlet in a box and terminate the cable.
5. Label the breaker supplying the outlet appropriately.
6. Turn power back on and use a multimeter to verify correct voltage.

Be sure to follow all safety procedures when working with high voltage electrical wiring. Install a 6-20 outlet to supply 240V to appliances, welding equipment, EV chargers, and other devices.

Advantages of 6-20

One of the main benefits of the NEMA 6-20 outlet is its high amperage capacity. The 6-20 is rated for 20 amps, allowing it to safely provide more power compared to lower amperage outlets like the 5-15 or 5-20.

The increased amp capacity enables the 6-20 to support devices and appliances that require more power, such as high-wattage machinery, large air conditioners, electric vehicle chargers, commercial refrigerators, and other heavy-duty equipment.

According to electrical codes, standard 15 amp circuits with 14 gauge wire can only safely support continuous loads up to 15 amps or 1800 watts. Exceeding this can lead to overheating and fire hazards. The thicker 12 gauge wire and 20 amp rating of the 6-20 allows up to 2400 watts continuously.

For commercial and industrial applications needing to power larger equipment, the 6-20’s extra capacity provides a safer and more robust power delivery solution. This helps prevent tripped breakers, voltage drops, and other electrical issues caused by overloading a 15 amp circuit.

Overall, the ability to handle more amps than a typical household outlet is the primary benefit of installing a NEMA 6-20. This makes it an ideal choice for high-power commercial, industrial, and specialized residential uses.

Disadvantages of 6-20

One of the main disadvantages of the NEMA 6-20 outlet is that it does not provide a neutral wire. The 6-20 is designed for 240V circuits and does not include a neutral line. This limits what the 6-20 receptacle can be used for.

Most household appliances and electronics require a 120V power source that utilizes a neutral wire. Without a neutral line, the 6-20 cannot directly power smaller 120V devices. This makes the 6-20 less versatile than other NEMA outlets with a neutral like the 14-20 or 6-15.

According to discussion on Reddit, the lack of a neutral wire in the 6-20 can also lead to potential false trip problems if using an EV charger. The charger’s protection circuits may interact with the missing neutral and trip breakers.

Overall, the 6-20’s limitation to only 240V circuits reduces what it can power directly. For broader compatibility with 120V appliances and electronics, an outlet with a neutral wire is better suited.

Alternatives to 6-20

There are several alternatives to the NEMA 6-20 outlet for applications requiring high amperage:

• NEMA 14-20 – The NEMA 14-20 outlet provides 240V power with a current rating of 20 amps. It contains three vertical blades – two current carrying blades and one ground blade. The 14-20 is commonly used for major appliances requiring high power.

• NEMA 14-30 – The NEMA 14-30 outlet also provides 240V power but has a higher 30 amp current rating. It has a similar configuration to the 14-20 with three vertical blades. The 14-30 can supply more power than a 14-20 outlet.

• NEMA 6-30 – For single phase 240V applications, the NEMA 6-30 provides a 30 amp rating with three blades – two current carrying and one ground. It can be an alternative to the 6-20 when more power is needed.

The choice between these high amperage outlets depends on the specific power requirements and voltage needs of the application.

Conclusion

In summary, the NEMA 6-20 outlet is a type of 240-volt receptacle that delivers a high amount of power for large appliances and equipment. It has a unique plug configuration with horizontal neutral and hot blades, allowing 20 amps at 240 volts. While the 6-20 does not contain a dedicated neutral wire, the neutral blade connects to the neutral bus bar in the service panel. This allows the outlet to deliver two 120-volt “legs” of electricity from hot to neutral to power 240-volt appliances. The 6-20 is commonly used for welders, air compressors, large motors, heating equipment, and EV charging. Though it does not include a ground pin, separate grounding must be provided through the electrical box. Overall, the NEMA 6-20 is a versatile high-power 240V outlet well suited for many residential and commercial applications needing up to 4,800 watts.