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Power Questions
Lee Douglas:
I feel like I should know this, but I'm probably overthinking it. I have a Powerlight 6.0 II (USA Version) that has a twist lock 30A cord on it and as far as I can tell is 120VAC. I also have a Southwire X-Treme Box distribution box that has a 30A twist lock outlet on it. The amps cable fits the outlet (not powered up) but my concern is that the distribution box lists the outlet as "125/250V 30A receptacle, NEMA L14-30R, with circuit breaker protection, not GFCI protected" Obviously, I'll measure to be certain, but is it safe to plug this amp into this outlet? Please let me know if I need to provide any additional information.
Scott Holtzman:
--- Quote from: Lee Douglas on June 26, 2024, 03:14:07 PM ---I feel like I should know this, but I'm probably overthinking it. I have a Powerlight 6.0 II (USA Version) that has a twist lock 30A cord on it and as far as I can tell is 120VAC. I also have a Southwire X-Treme Box distribution box that has a 30A twist lock outlet on it. The amps cable fits the outlet (not powered up) but my concern is that the distribution box lists the outlet as "125/250V 30A receptacle, NEMA L14-30R, with circuit breaker protection, not GFCI protected" Obviously, I'll measure to be certain, but is it safe to plug this amp into this outlet? Please let me know if I need to provide any additional information.
--- End quote ---
The only way to know how the distro is wired is to meter it. Plug it in with no devices and take your measurement from your Fluke.
TJ (Tom) Cornish:
--- Quote from: Lee Douglas on June 26, 2024, 03:14:07 PM ---I feel like I should know this, but I'm probably overthinking it. I have a Powerlight 6.0 II (USA Version) that has a twist lock 30A cord on it and as far as I can tell is 120VAC. I also have a Southwire X-Treme Box distribution box that has a 30A twist lock outlet on it. The amps cable fits the outlet (not powered up) but my concern is that the distribution box lists the outlet as "125/250V 30A receptacle, NEMA L14-30R, with circuit breaker protection, not GFCI protected" Obviously, I'll measure to be certain, but is it safe to plug this amp into this outlet? Please let me know if I need to provide any additional information.
--- End quote ---
A L14-30 receptacle is a 4-wire receptacle. If your amp has this plug, it’s a custom job from a previous owner. It would have been shipped with probably a L5-30P, which is a 3-wire 120v plug.
Briefly:
L = twist lock
5 = 120 volts hot/neutral/ground (3 wires)
6 = 208/240 volts hot/hot/ground (3 wires)
14 = split phase 120/208 or 240 hot/hot/neutral/ground (4 wires)
15 = three phase 208 hot/hot/hot/ground (no neutral) (4 wires)
21 = three phase 120/208 hot/hot/hot/neutral/ground (5 wires)
These plugs don’t mate with each other by design.
Lee Douglas:
--- Quote from: TJ (Tom) Cornish on June 27, 2024, 08:14:33 AM ---A L14-30 receptacle is a 4-wire receptacle. If your amp has this plug, it’s a custom job from a previous owner. It would have been shipped with probably a L5-30P, which is a 3-wire 120v plug.
Briefly:
L = twist lock
5 = 120 volts hot/neutral/ground (3 wires)
6 = 208/240 volts hot/hot/ground (3 wires)
14 = split phase 120/208 or 240 hot/hot/neutral/ground (4 wires)
15 = three phase 208 hot/hot/hot/ground (no neutral) (4 wires)
21 = three phase 120/208 hot/hot/hot/neutral/ground (5 wires)
These plugs don’t mate with each other by design.
--- End quote ---
Thanks, that helps. Checking again the amp has an L5-30P and the distro has an L6-30 and the two do not mate with each other, although I could have sworn that they did. For most things I can use a 30A to 20A adapter. But it would sure be nice to have the right 30A 120VAC plug to use. I'll have to contact Southwire and see what my options are. Thanks again for the sanity check.
Brian Jojade:
If the distro has a NEMA L14-30R connector, you can put one of those on your amp, or you can make an adaptor. You'll simply use one of the hot legs, neutral and ground.
If it's the L 6-30, then it's a 240 volt only connector, with no neutral to get you 120v.
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