NEMA connector

"Twist-lock connector" redirects here. For the device used in intermodal shipping, see Twistlock.
Main article: AC power plugs and sockets
Ungrounded (left) and grounded (right) power plugs
Common North American 125-volt receptacles. All accept a 1-15P plug; the two on the left also accept grounded 5-15P plugs; the second from the left also accepts 5-20P plugs. The NEMA 5-15R device on the far left is most common; the two rightmost designs are typically seen in older buildings.

NEMA connectors are power plugs and sockets used for AC mains electricity in North America and other countries that use the standards set by the US National Electrical Manufacturers Association. NEMA wiring devices are made in current ratings from 15 to 60 amperes (A), with voltage ratings from 125 to 600 volts (V). Different combinations of contact blade widths, shapes, orientations, and dimensions create non-interchangeable connectors that are unique for each combination of voltage, electric current carrying capacity, and grounding system.

NEMA 1-15P (two-pole, no ground) and NEMA 5-15P (two-pole with ground pin) plugs are used on common domestic electrical equipment, and NEMA 5-15R is the standard 15-ampere electric receptacle (outlet) found in the United States, and under relevant national standards, in Canada (CSA C22.2 No. 42[1]), Mexico (NMX-J-163-ANCE) and Japan (JIS C 8303).

Other plug and receptacle types are for special purposes or for heavy-duty applications.

The dimensional standard for electrical connectors is ANSI/NEMA WD-6 and is available from the NEMA website.[2]

  1. ^ CSA Standard C22.2 No. 42-10: General use receptacles, attachment plugs, and similar wiring devices. Mississauga, Ontario: Canadian Standards Association. 2010. p. 1.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference WD6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).