rangrr4834
Active Member
Hi all. Would a NEMA 16-30 inlet work for my Kal clone control panel in place of the 14-30 inlet receptacle?
NEMA 16-30 vs 14-30 inlet
- Thread starter rangrr4834
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Links would have helped a lot instead of forcing everyone to research just to answer your question.You already looked at both. Please give everyone a clue.
No?
P-J
rangrr4834
Active Member
Sorry, I tought they were universal.
Here is the 14-30 that Kal recommended on his site:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Male-Lockin...821?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416e7b613d
and here is the 16-30:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HUBBELL-273...484?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e73cc3c3c
Thanks for any help you can provide before I make a wrong purchase. As I see it, it appears the plugs are the same and just the amount of voltage are rated differently.
Here is the 14-30 that Kal recommended on his site:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Male-Lockin...821?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416e7b613d
and here is the 16-30:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HUBBELL-273...484?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e73cc3c3c
Thanks for any help you can provide before I make a wrong purchase. As I see it, it appears the plugs are the same and just the amount of voltage are rated differently.
4 wires, 30 amps. Why not? The 16's are actually intended for 3ø systems and will tolerate higher voltages. If you were in a facility where there was a danger of plugging a 3ø machine in to it I'd say no but in this applications it's probably OK. Might violate code though.
rangrr4834
Active Member
Thanks, although after looking closer one is twist lock and a standard 14-30 is not. However, I may still get the 16-30 inlet and just find a 16-30 plug for the end of my dryer cord to go into the inlet. I don't think any code applies since it is being installed into the bottom of the enclosure of the control panel. Any other thoughts?
I'm an engineer and not a lawyer so I have trouble reading the code but I think 110.3(B) might be the gotcha. It says that listed equipment must be installed and used per instructions or listing. Presumably the NEMA specs/listing or whatever it is say that the 16 series are for 3ø and the 14 for 120/240. If you use them interchangeably is that a violation? If you are in a facility that uses both 3ø and biphase equipment you can see how doing so could lead to problems and that is why there are two types of plugs which have the same capabilities in terms of the number of poles and their current carrying capacities but which will not mate with one another.
Is there any technical reason you can't use either one? Will you ever accidentally plug in a 3ø solids pump? No on both counts. Is there a 'legal' reason you shouldn't use a 16? Perhaps.
But given that anyone who sells the 16-30 doubtless sells the 14-30 why not just get the 'right' one?
Is there any technical reason you can't use either one? Will you ever accidentally plug in a 3ø solids pump? No on both counts. Is there a 'legal' reason you shouldn't use a 16? Perhaps.
But given that anyone who sells the 16-30 doubtless sells the 14-30 why not just get the 'right' one?
grandequeso
Well-Known Member
I used that same male plug on my welder, I got it for free out of a junk pile at work. I filed off a little bit on one of the prongs and it fits just fine into a 120/240 4 wire twistlock (my welder doesn't use a neutral, I just use a 4 prong cord cap so I don't have to run another receptacle.)
I agree. That is precisely the reason there are so many different configurations of plugs/receptacles. To have enough to make the necessary connections covering the multitude of power systems, yet mitigate improper interconnections.
meadmazer
Well-Known Member
I would think that there would be some differences in the plugs that dont allow them to interchange. The prong with the bend goes the other way, or is on the other side, etc. I am doing the same thing, looking at plugs for a pid on the way. Going to go with the L14-30 to keep in the correct voltage rating.
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