220V Twist Lock
- Thread starter Langd0
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
It appears you are in the UK, so we’ll give you a pass... 
It will have to start with whether your equipment is “double insulated”, or needs a ground pin.
It will have to start with whether your equipment is “double insulated”, or needs a ground pin.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
See if this chart helps. Current matters, too.
http://www.imitation-watchess.com/p...ons-chart-plot-throughout-nema-plug-chart.jpg
http://www.imitation-watchess.com/p...ons-chart-plot-throughout-nema-plug-chart.jpg
Tony S
Senior Member
- Location
- Resting under the Major Oak UK
Frank DuVal
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Engineer
From the NEMA chart Larry posted:
Three pole 220 (208 to 250) Volts with ground, L15-20.
As above, but with Neutral, a 5 wire cord, L21-20.
You can use the 30 amp twist locks if you wish.
There are older non-NEMA twist locks still out there, do not use them for new installations of new equipment. Like those L18-20, which are three pole with neutral, NO GROUND! We have building here with those installed, using the silver screws connected to ground, not a neutral. I have replaced the ones I come across with L15-20., just to keep green Green!:thumbsup:
Three pole 220 (208 to 250) Volts with ground, L15-20.
As above, but with Neutral, a 5 wire cord, L21-20.
You can use the 30 amp twist locks if you wish.
There are older non-NEMA twist locks still out there, do not use them for new installations of new equipment. Like those L18-20, which are three pole with neutral, NO GROUND! We have building here with those installed, using the silver screws connected to ground, not a neutral. I have replaced the ones I come across with L15-20., just to keep green Green!:thumbsup:
GeorgeB
ElectroHydraulics engineer (retired)
- Location
- Greenville SC
- Occupation
- Retired
It appears you are in the UK, so we’ll give you a pass...
It will have to start with whether your equipment is “double insulated”, or needs a ground pin.
If in UK, isn't it likely that we have 415V wye? Thus 220 (or 240 or whatever we want to call it) phase to neutral? I'd want a little more info to make a recommendation.
zbang
Senior Member
- Location
- Roughly 5346 miles from Earls Court
The L21 is 120V to ground, IIRC you would need an L23.
Are you designing for equipment to be sent to the North America or for your own in-plant use?
All passes greatly received!
Sorry, I took the earth for granted. I need a 4 wire (3 phase and earth) plug for 220V and a 5 wire (3 phase, neutral and earth) plug for 127/220V supply, with current less than 10A per phase.
I guess basically what I'm asking is does the 208V quoted voltage of the L21-20P prevent the use of it on a 220V supply?
Does the quoted voltage of 250V of the L15-20 prevent the use of it on a 220V supply?
Designing equipment to go to South America in this instance - not the UK!
Cheers
Sorry, I took the earth for granted. I need a 4 wire (3 phase and earth) plug for 220V and a 5 wire (3 phase, neutral and earth) plug for 127/220V supply, with current less than 10A per phase.
I guess basically what I'm asking is does the 208V quoted voltage of the L21-20P prevent the use of it on a 220V supply?
Does the quoted voltage of 250V of the L15-20 prevent the use of it on a 220V supply?
Designing equipment to go to South America in this instance - not the UK!
Cheers
zbang
Senior Member
- Location
- Roughly 5346 miles from Earls Court
The parts are made of the same material, so it's a question of what the user expects. The L21 is intended for 120V to ground, not 208V (that's phase-to-phase), so that would be a poor choice. With the L15 being spec'd for 250V to ground, using only 220V wouldn't be a problem unless someone connects your 220V equipment to a 250V supply.
Unless the target country uses the NEMA connector styles, you're probably better off with an IEC pin&sleeve connector, looks like the 516P6W would do the trick (https://www.stayonline.com/reference-iec309-international.aspx).
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