Home
Search waterheatertimer.org / all results
Search using Find button  

 Tweet button  
How to wire twist lock plugs
Also see:
How to wire 240 volt straight blade plugs
How to wire 240 volt outlets
Use only 600 volt wire.
Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt.
Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional.

30 amp breaker use 10 gauge /
120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker.

Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps.
Buy:
10-2 gauge/ 30 amp
10-3/ 30 amp
Southwire electric tools
Yellow 12 gauge 20 amp
120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire.
... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker. 1

Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps.
Buy:
12-2 gauge/ 20 amp
12-3/ 20 amp

NMB is house wiring
UF is underground
Rolls of stranded wire
HOOK UP Wires
White 14 gauge 15 amp
120 volt 15 amp outlet, AFCI, GFCI, timer, switch etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. Never connect 15 gauge wire to 20-30-40 amp breaker.

White/ #14 gauge wire,  with ground ... 15 amp capacity. Safe maximum 12 amps.
Buy:
14-2 gauge/ 15 amp
14-3/ 15 amp

NMB is house wiring
UF is underground
50-60 amp breaker use 6 gauge /
240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only
6-2 wire
Buy:
6-2 wire
Southwire electric tools
NMB is house wiring
UF is underground
40-50 amp breaker use 8 gauge /
240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breaker only
6-2 wire
Buy:
8-2 wire
Southwire electric tools
NMB is house wiring
UF is underground
     
Copper ground wire.
Every device, load, metal enclosure etc must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous throughout installation, never switched on-off, never used as a Neutral wire.
Generally ... use same size as other wire in circuit
Buy:
12 gauge copper ground wire
Ground wire
Green ground wire
Ground pigtails
Ground rods/ ground clamps at Amazon
armored cable
Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock.

Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure.

All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes.
Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure.
Buy:
Non-metallic flexible conduit
Power whip
Armored cable
Southwire armored cable cutter
Pull boxes
Southwire armored cable cutter
Electrical tools must be insulated.
Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off.

Buy:
Electrician tools kits
KLEIN TOOLS
Tools kits
IRWIN tools
KNIPEX

Telephone cable knife
Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for Telephone
Push on wire connectors

Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectors

Buy:
Push on wire connectors Amazon
Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire
Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon
HOOK UP Wires

Protect wiring from damage
Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable.

-Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15
Buy
End cutting nippers at Amazon


Electrically insulated tools
When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistance and heat on wire and creates possible weak point.
Buy tools:
KLEIN TOOLS
Wire strippers at Amazon
Electric Wire Stripping Machine
Linesman pliers
Utility knife at Amazon
multimeter
Multimeters
Voltage is tested across two separate wires. Ohms or resistance is tested across both ends of same wire. Amperage is tested along one or two points on same wire.
Buy:
Analog multimeter
Multimeters at Amazon
Klein multimeter
Electric testers at Amazon
Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line

GFCI circuit breaker
A GFCI circuit breaker will protect all boxes on circuit.

Circuit must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous and connected to each piece of equipment.

White wire on circuit breaker must be connected to Neutral busbar inside the breaker panel.

Buy
GFCI circuit breakers
Push down
single-pole breaker
1" wide Push down breaker
Plug-in breaker
Buy single-pole:
Choose from 15 to 60 amp
Eaton CL series
Siemens 15-60 amp

Single-pole tandem breaker
Tandem breakers
Push down
double-pole breaker
2" wide Push down breaker
Plug-in breakers
Buy double-pole:
Choose from 15 to 125 amp
Choose from 15 amp to 200 amp
Eaton CL series circuit breaker
Siemens circuit breaker
Double pole GFCI
Basic illustrations and information/ 120 and 240 volt
I have to read ? 
How-to-wire-240Volt outlet and plug
Larger image
X-W-G is for 120 volt
-with 1 Hot, 1 Neutral + ground

X-Y-G is for 240 volt
-with 2 Hots + ground

X-Y-W-Z is for 120-240 volt typically found with generator
-with 2 Hots, 1 Neutral + ground


Resources:
See inside main box
Figure volts amps watts
Select correct wire and breaker
Electrical formulas

Z is used for 3-phase and not shown here.
Commercial 3-phase outlet is marked X-Y-Z-G or X-Y-Z-W-G
Resource:
How to wire 3-phase
wire 240 Volt outlet10-3 wire1) Look for voltage and amp rating.
Each load and wiring device will have identifying markings that show volts and amps.

2) Look letters on wiring device
X and Y are for Hot wires, and G is for ground, W for Neutral

3) Pay attention to screw color
 Brass colored screw for Hot. Silver for Neutral . Green for ground. Image shows 2 hot wires with ground.  Hot wires can be red and black -or- white and black. Either hot wire can connect to either brass terminal

4) Notice shape of blade slots:
The ground blade has different shape.
Match wire and breaker

Resource:
Select correct wire and breaker size
GE-Breakers

Buy circuit breakers
Eaton CL series circuit breaker
CH circuit breakers at Amazon
Federal Pacific circuit breaker
QO circuit breakers at Amazon
double-pole breaker
Buy circuit breakers
Choose from 15 to 125 amp
Siemens circuit breaker
GE circuit breakers at Amazon

Resource:
Select correct wire and breaker size
Not enough space for circuit breakers
125-240 volt 20-30 amp Twist Lock


Locking connectors

You can use 30 amp twist lock for 15 or 20 amp circuit. But you cannot use 20 amp for 30 amp circuit
.
You can use a 4-wire twist-lock device with 3-wire installation. But you can not use 3-wire twist lock with 4-wire installation.
You should never use 120 volt device for 240 volt circuit.... buy the correct rating for load.

Why Leviton: quality materials (ie brass terminal screws) and durability over time.
Why 125-250 volt ratings instead of 120-240 volt: incoming service voltage can vary at each location.
Locking plugs/ twist lock
Nema L5 (look at bottom of graphic for Nema category) is same configuration for 20P or 30P/ use for 15, 20 or 30 amp
Nema  L6 is same configuration for 20P or 30 P/ use for 15, 20, 30 amp
Nema  L14, 4-pole is same configuration for 20P or 30P/ use for 20 or 30 amp
125 volt 3-wire has silver, brass and green screws
250 volt 3-wire has brass, brass, and green screws
125-250 volt 4-wire has silver, brass, brass, green screws

Buy: Leviton
L5-15 15 amp
L5-15 15 amp plug
Leviton 2311 125V 20 amp
2611/ 125 volt/ 30 amp

2321/ 250 volt/ 20 amp
2621/ 250 volt/ 30 amp

2411/ 4-wire 125-250 volt/ 20 amp
2711/ 4-wire/ 125-250 volt/ 30 amp

Resources:
Locking plug Wiring diagrams
Locking connectors
Locking connectors
Locking connectors/ twist lock
Nema L5 (look at graphic for Nema category) is same configuration for 20R or 30R/ use for 15, 20 or 30 amp
Nema  L6 is same configuration for 20R or 30 R/ use for 15, 20, 30 amp
Nema  L14, 4-pole is same configuration for 20R or 30R/ use for 20 or 30 amp
Buy: Leviton
L5-15R plug
2313/ 125 volt/ 20 amp
2613/ 125 volt/ 30 amp/

2323/ 250 volt/ 20 amp
C2623/ 250 volt/ 30 amp

2413/ 4-wire/ 125-250 volt/ 20 amp
2713/ 4-wire/ 125-250 volt/ 30 amp

Resources:
Locking receptacle Wiring diagrams
✅✓

L7-15R 277 volt
Locking receptacles


You can use 30 amp twist lock for 15 or 20 amp circuit. But you cannot use 20 amp for 30 amp circuit
.
Locking receptacles
Nema L5 (look at graphic for Nema category)  is same configuration for 20R or 30R/ use for 15, 20 or 30 amp
Nema L6 is same configuration for 20R or 30 R/ use for 15, 20, 30 amp
Nema L14, 4-pole is same configuration for 20R or 30R/ use for 20 or 30 amp

Buy:  Leviton
2310/ 125 volt/ 20 amp
2610/ 125 volt/ 30 amp

2320/ 250 volt/ 20 amp
2620/ 250 volt/ 30 amp

2410/ 4-wire/ 125-250 volt/ 20 amp
2710/ 4-wire/ 125-250 volt/ 30 amp

Buy double outlet
4550/ double/ 125 volt/ 15 amp
4700/ double/ 250 volt/ 15 amp

Resources:
Locking receptacle Wiring diagrams
Combination twist lock/ straight blade
Leviton 4792Larger image

Leviton 4792
Common feed:
Max amperage on total outlet 15A.
18-10 AWG Brass 8-32

Buy:
4792/ 15 amp 125 volt
Leviton 4792Larger image

Leviton 4794 and 4795
Split feed:
Use 2 separate wires. 18-10 AWG
Max amperage on each outlet 15A.

Buy:
4794/ 15 amp/ split 125 volt
2 Hot Feeds and 2 Neutral Returns
Buy:
4795/ 15 amp/ split 125 volt
2 Hot Feeds and 1 Neutral Return
Twist-lock connection for generator
Generator outlet Generator outlet box supplies both 120 and 240 volt:
Requires 2 Hot wires (H), 1 Neutral (N), and 1 Ground (G)
Hot wires connect to X and Y terminals (brass or black screws), Neutral connects to W terminasl (silver screw), and ground to G or green screw

4-prong
:  Rounded  prong with upturn is ground connection. Prong located opposite ground is Neutral connection. If there is no neutral wire, then do not connect any wire to neutral. Other two prongs are for hot wires
3-prong
:  Is for 240. Rounded  prong with upturn is ground connection. Other two prongs are for hot wires. There is no neutral connection

Buy:
Twist lock plug / 30 amp/ at Amazon
Twist lock outlet / 30 amp/ at Amazon
4-prong 30 amp generator outlet
Generator outlet boxes at Amazon
4-prong 30 amp generator outlet/ 7500 watt at Amazon
3-prong 50 amp generator outlet / 12,500 watt at Amazon

Resources:
How to wire transfer switch
How generator works
Connect water heater to generator
277-480-600 volt/ 3-wire (3 phase)
Nema locking devicesLarger image
NEMA / locking devices
480V 3Ø ... 3Ø means 3-phase voltage
3ØY ... 3-phase wye
GR ... ground
277V, 480V, 347 and 600V are derived from 3-phase commecial service and not available for household wiring
277 volt locking receptacle 277 volt locking receptacle
277 volt is derived from 3-phase 480-277 service.
One Hot leg and a Neutral wire are pulled from the breaker box to create 277 volt potential
Extreme danger from high voltage 480-277, wiring should be done by licensed electrician
Buy:
Connectors
L7-15R 277 volt 15 amp
L7-20R 277 volt 20 amp    
L7-30R 277 volt 30 amp
Outlets
Leviton 4760  15A
Leviton 2330  20A
Leviton 2630  30A
Resources:
What is 277 volt
How to wire 3-phase
Difference single-phase and 3-phase
How to wire 277 volt outlet and plug


Note size difference
.
Amperage is heat.
L7-20R has same blade configuration as higher-amp L7-30R, but 30 amp size is larger than 20 amp to handle greater heat on wire.
Source
L8 480 volt locking receptacles 480 volt locking receptacles
480 volt is derived from 3-phase 480-277 service.
Two Hot legs are pulled from the breaker box to create 480 volt potential
Extreme danger from high voltage 480-277, wiring should be done by licensed electrician.
Buy:
Connectors
L8-20R 480 volt 20 amp    
L8-30R 480 volt 30 amp
Outlets
Leviton 2340  20A
Leviton 2640  30A
Resources:
How to wire 3-phase
Difference single-phase and 3-phase
2460 20 amp 247-600V
How to wire 480 volt outlet and plug480 volt 3-wire with Ground
L12 480 volt 3-phase locking receptacle 480 volt 3-phase 3Ø locking receptacle/ non-grounding
480V 3Ø ... 3Ø means 3-phase
480 volt is derived from 3-phase 480-277 service.
Three Hot legs are pulled from the breaker box to create 480 volt potential
Extreme danger from high voltage 480-277.
Buy:
Connectors
L12-20R 480 volt 20 amp    
L12-30R 480 volt 30 amp
Outlets
Leviton 2380  20A
Leviton 2860  30A
Resources:
How to wire 3-phase
Difference single-phase and 3-phase
What is 3-phase
480 volt 3Ø Non-grounding
Leviton 2710 600 volt 3-phase 3Ø locking receptacle/ grounding
600V 3Ø ... 3Ø means 3-phase
600 volt is derived from 3-phase 600-347 volt service.
Three Hot legs are pulled from the breaker box to create 600 volt potential
Extreme danger from high voltage 600.

Buy:
Connectors
L17-30 600 volt 30 amp
Hubbell L17-30
Outlets
Leviton 2740
Hubble 2740
2460 20 amp 247-600V
How to wire 600 volt outlet600 volt 3Ø with Ground/ Source
L20 347-600 volt 347-600 volt 3-phase 3Ø locking receptacle/ non-grounding
Three Hot legs are pulled from the breaker box to create 3Ø 600 volt potential.
One Hot leg + Neutral wire creates single-phase 277 volt potential.
Extreme danger from high voltage 347-600V.
When device is not grounded, the enclosure and conduit are ground. The equipment must be grounded.

Buy:
Connectors
L20-30 600 volt 30 amp
Hubbell L20-30 20 amp
Hubbell L30-30 20 amp
2461 20 amp plug
2771 30 amp plug
2773 connector    2463
Outlets
Leviton 2770
Hubble 2770
2460 20 amp 347-600V
347-600V 3Ø non-grounding
Source
Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric

How to install tankless recirculation


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
Buy
Electronic parts

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
Buy
Tools

DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
Buy from my affiliate links every time/ thanks:
Amazon
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Enter Amazon from any link on my site, fill cart with any item ... purchases pay small commission

E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com
My response might end up in spam folder, check email folders
Waterheatertimer on Twitter
Message thru facebook