Residential wiring

Receptacle and Plug Identification Reference

Look up common NEMA plug and receptacle markings by voltage, current, grounding, and blade style.

NEMA marking lookup

Find a common plug or receptacle

Showing 14 common configurations.

Straight blade · 125 V · 15 A

NEMA 1-15

Common markings: NEMA 1-15R · NEMA 1-15P

Poles
2
Wires
2
Ground contact
No separate equipment-grounding contact

Non-grounding configuration found on older equipment and cords.

Do not use this marking to infer that an equipment-grounding path exists. Verify the wiring and applicable replacement requirements.

Straight blade · 125 V · 15 A

NEMA 5-15

Common markings: NEMA 5-15R · NEMA 5-15P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

Common 125 V straight-blade configuration.

Confirm the exact device rating and wiring. A matching configuration does not verify circuit condition or protection.

Straight blade · 125 V · 20 A

NEMA 5-20

Common markings: NEMA 5-20R · NEMA 5-20P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

20 A, 125 V straight-blade configuration.

Verify the branch-circuit rating, conductor, device listing, and installation conditions separately.

Straight blade · 250 V · 15 A

NEMA 6-15

Common markings: NEMA 6-15R · NEMA 6-15P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

250 V straight-blade configuration with an equipment-grounding contact.

The configuration identifies a device pattern and rating, not the actual voltage present at the outlet.

Straight blade · 250 V · 20 A

NEMA 6-20

Common markings: NEMA 6-20R · NEMA 6-20P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

20 A, 250 V straight-blade configuration with an equipment-grounding contact.

The configuration identifies a device pattern and rating, not the actual voltage present at the outlet.

Straight blade · 125/250 V · 30 A

NEMA 10-30

Common markings: NEMA 10-30R · NEMA 10-30P

Poles
3
Wires
3
Ground contact
No separate equipment-grounding contact

Legacy 125/250 V configuration used on some older appliance circuits.

Do not infer that this legacy configuration has a separate equipment-grounding conductor or can be replaced by a different pattern without evaluating the circuit.

Straight blade · 125/250 V · 30 A

NEMA 14-30

Common markings: NEMA 14-30R · NEMA 14-30P

Poles
3
Wires
4
Ground contact
Grounding

125/250 V configuration with two ungrounded conductors, neutral, and equipment ground.

Verify the circuit wiring and device instructions before replacement; appearance alone cannot establish conductor connections.

Straight blade · 125/250 V · 50 A

NEMA 14-50

Common markings: NEMA 14-50R · NEMA 14-50P

Poles
3
Wires
4
Ground contact
Grounding

125/250 V configuration with two ungrounded conductors, neutral, and equipment ground.

Check the equipment nameplate, branch-circuit rating, receptacle listing, and installation instructions.

Locking · 125 V · 15 A

NEMA L5-15

Common markings: NEMA L5-15R · NEMA L5-15P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

125 V, 15 A locking configuration with an equipment-grounding contact.

Match the complete NEMA marking. Similar-looking locking patterns can have different voltage and current ratings.

Locking · 125 V · 20 A

NEMA L5-20

Common markings: NEMA L5-20R · NEMA L5-20P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

125 V, 20 A locking configuration with an equipment-grounding contact.

Match the complete NEMA marking. Similar-looking locking patterns can have different voltage and current ratings.

Locking · 125 V · 30 A

NEMA L5-30

Common markings: NEMA L5-30R · NEMA L5-30P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

125 V, 30 A locking configuration with an equipment-grounding contact.

Match the complete NEMA marking. Similar-looking locking patterns can have different voltage and current ratings.

Locking · 250 V · 20 A

NEMA L6-20

Common markings: NEMA L6-20R · NEMA L6-20P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

250 V, 20 A locking configuration with an equipment-grounding contact.

Match the complete NEMA marking. Similar-looking locking patterns can have different voltage and current ratings.

Locking · 250 V · 30 A

NEMA L6-30

Common markings: NEMA L6-30R · NEMA L6-30P

Poles
2
Wires
3
Ground contact
Grounding

250 V, 30 A locking configuration with an equipment-grounding contact.

Match the complete NEMA marking. Similar-looking locking patterns can have different voltage and current ratings.

Locking · 125/250 V · 30 A

NEMA L14-30

Common markings: NEMA L14-30R · NEMA L14-30P

Poles
3
Wires
4
Ground contact
Grounding

125/250 V, 30 A locking configuration with two ungrounded conductors, neutral, and equipment ground.

Confirm the device and generator/inlet documentation. This reference does not identify terminal connections or cord pinout.

Identification reference onlyUse the complete manufacturer marking, device instructions, and voltage measurements. The NEMA pattern does not identify terminal connections, verify wiring, or establish that another device can replace it.

GFCI protection, tamper-resistant construction, weather-resistant construction, isolated-ground design, USB charging are separate product attributes. Verify them on the exact device marking and listing.

About this reference

Search or filter common straight-blade and locking NEMA configurations. The reference lists nominal voltage, current, poles, wires, grounding-contact type, and common device markings.

This lookup is intended to help read a device marking. It does not identify terminals or wiring connections and does not tell you whether a device is suitable for an installation.

How to use the marking

Read the full NEMA identifier and device rating from the product label. The configuration identifier and the suffix identify the contact pattern and device end; confirm the actual manufacturer marking because cord connectors, receptacles, plugs, and inlets can use different product labels.

Always verify the circuit voltage, conductor arrangement, grounding path, overcurrent protection, and product instructions. A familiar pattern or matching voltage and amperage is not enough to approve a replacement.

The catalog covers common residential and portable-power patterns only. Consult the current NEMA WD 6 standard and manufacturer data for less common, pin-and-sleeve, multi-phase, or special-purpose devices.

FAQs

Can I identify a device from its shape alone?

Do not rely on appearance alone. Check the NEMA marking and manufacturer label, inspect the device safely, and measure the circuit with suitable test equipment. Worn, damaged, modified, or counterfeit devices may not match their apparent pattern.

What is the difference between a 10-30 and a 14-30 configuration?

A 10-30 device is a legacy 125/250 V, 30 A, 3-pole, 3-wire configuration without a separate equipment-grounding contact. A 14-30 adds a separate grounding contact and uses four wires. They are not interchangeable based on appearance or rating alone; evaluate the existing circuit and applicable replacement rules.

Does the NEMA configuration tell me whether a device is GFCI or tamper-resistant?

No. GFCI, tamper-resistant, weather-resistant, isolated-ground, and USB functions are separate product attributes. Check the exact device marking, listing, and manufacturer documentation.

Does a matching NEMA code prove the device is safe for this circuit?

No. The code describes a standardized device pattern and rating. It does not verify circuit voltage, conductor size, grounding, overcurrent protection, equipment compatibility, or the condition of the wiring.

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