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The bigger picture

Less guesswork.
More clarity.

Explore the connections behind the specs. A few clear labels, a little context, and the source for every fact.

Connector field guideSame wall. Different connections.A quick field guide to NEMA 14-50, 6-50 and 5-15 plug faces, their ratings and the conductors they use.

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NEMA 14-5050 A · 125/250 V

Two hot conductors, a neutral and a protective ground: a 3-pole, 4-wire grounding connection. The separate neutral is the key difference from 6-50.

Sources: 1: NEMA 14-50P is a 50 A, 125/250 V, 3-pole, 4-wire grounding plug.

L1 + L2 + neutral + ground

NEMA 6-5050 A · 250 V

Two hot conductors and a protective ground, with no neutral: a 2-pole, 3-wire grounding connection. Its pin pattern differs from 14-50.

Sources: 2: NEMA 6-50P is a 50 A, 250 V, 2-pole, 3-wire grounding plug.

L1 + L2 + ground

NEMA 5-1515 A · 125 V

One hot conductor, a neutral and a protective ground: a 2-pole, 3-wire grounding connection. It has a different voltage and current rating from either 50 A connector.

Sources: 3: NEMA 5-15P is a 15 A, 125 V, 2-pole, 3-wire grounding plug.

Hot + neutral + ground

Pin face · ground at topL = hot · N = neutral · G = ground

Looking at the male plug pins, with ground at the top. Schematic, not to scale. These are connector ratings, not continuous charging currents or a guarantee of an installed circuit’s capacity.

Source notes3 references

  1. NEMA 14-50P is a 50 A, 125/250 V, 3-pole, 4-wire grounding plug.

    leviton.com — source for NEMA 14-50P is a 50 A, 125/250 V, 3-pole, 4-wire grounding plug.
    50 Amp, 125/250 Volt, NEMA 14-50P, 3P, 4W, Plug

  2. NEMA 6-50P is a 50 A, 250 V, 2-pole, 3-wire grounding plug.

    leviton.com — source for NEMA 6-50P is a 50 A, 250 V, 2-pole, 3-wire grounding plug.
    50 Amp, 250 Volt, NEMA 6-50P

  3. NEMA 5-15P is a 15 A, 125 V, 2-pole, 3-wire grounding plug.

    leviton.com — source for NEMA 5-15P is a 15 A, 125 V, 2-pole, 3-wire grounding plug.
    15 Amp, 125 Volt, NEMA 5-15P, 2-Pole, 3-Wire
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