ITE equipment rated 26A, NEMA Plug used is L6-30P, 30A instead of NEMAL6-50P

[Bharath Kapnadak]

Hi,
We have an indoor ITE equipment, rated 208V, 28A, single phase. For the power cord, Plug used is NEMAL-30P Twist lock industrial plug.
As per NEC article 645.5, the plug rating is to be 1.25 times rating of equipment - that is 1.25X28 = 34A. So we must ideally use a NEMA L6-50P( as next NEMA plug after 30A is 50A). But the actual load current continues in cord is 26A only.
Question is: Can we still use NEMA 6-30P plug instead of NEMA 6-50P ? Because N6-50 is a welding equipment plug ( ours is an ITE equipment). Is there a way that we still can use a NEMA 6-30P?
Would appreciate your inputs
thanks
Regards
Bharat Kapnada

 

[petersonra]

Hi,
We have an indoor ITE equipment, rated 208V, 28A, single phase. For the power cord, Plug used is NEMAL-30P Twist lock industrial plug.
As per NEC article 645.5, the plug rating is to be 1.25 times rating of equipment - that is 1.25X28 = 34A. So we must ideally use a NEMA L6-50P( as next NEMA plug after 30A is 50A). But the actual load current continues in cord is 26A only.
Question is: Can we still use NEMA 6-30P plug instead of NEMA 6-50P ? Because N6-50 is a welding equipment plug ( ours is an ITE equipment). Is there a way that we still can use a NEMA 6-30P?
Would appreciate your inputs
thanks
Regards
Bharat Kapnada

The way I read it the conductors have to be 125%, not the plugs and receptacles.

 

[Bharath Kapnadak]

The way I read it the conductors have to be 125%, not the plugs and receptacles.

Thanks. The article 645.5 and UL 60950-1 clause 3.2.1 says plug be rated at 1.25 times rating of equipment. since 50A plug is too large ( for continuous current of 26A), may be N6-30P is possible to be used. We also use a circuit breaker.
Regards
Bharat Kapnada

 

[zbang]

Is this NRTL listed equipment and is that plug factory installed (so part of the listing)?

 

[Bharath Kapnadak]

The equipment is NRTL listed. The power cord is detachable. This cord set is also certified by UL. The power cord set manufacturer is mentioned in the power cord certificate and report.
Thanks
regards
Bharat Kapnada

 

[ron]

( for continuous current of 26A)

I would almost bet, that the IT load is not 26A of continuous current when you consider the definition in the NEC.
Article 645 is optional, and I don't know of any data center operator that uses the few leniencies that are afforded by 645 in many many code cycles.