Circuit Breaker for L14-20R Receptacle

[djm1052]

I'm installing a piece of equipment with the specifications seen below. The specs below are copied directly from the equipment spec sheet. I'm trying to figure out if a 2-pole or 3-pole 20A breaker is needed on a 120/208V panel. I know that an L14-20R is a 3 pole, 4 wire receptacle so I'm confused why the equipment is listed as 208V/1 phase and not 3 phase. If someone could help explain it would be much appreciated!

Voltage (Phase): 1 Phase
Voltage (Nominal): 208 VAC (4 Wire)
Circuit Protection: 20 Amps
Peak consumption: 14 Amps
Connection: NEMA L14-20R

 

[infinity]

Since it's 1Ø and 208 volts a 2-pole CB would be required. I believe that an L14-20R is 1Ø with a neutral.

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[zbang]

That's right, the 14 series plugs/etc is 250/125v H H N G. If the equipment was 3-phase without a neutral, that would be a 15-series and 3-phase with neutral is 21-series; it's not just how many conductors there are but how they're used.

ref- https://www.americord.com/nema-charts

 

[suemarkp]

With plugs and receptacles, a neutral terminal is counted as a pole. Typical household 5-15 plug is 2 pole 3 wire but uses a single pole 120V circuit.

 

[BarryO]

I believe that an L14-20R is 1Ø with a neutral.

Yep. Two hots, a neutral and a grounding conductor, with a maximum line-to-line voltage of 250V. Equipment is 120V/208V since it's intended to be installed on a single phase circuit derived from three phase service.