Electrical – 3-phase power to NEMA L14-20 receptacle

electrical

At my place of work, which is in the US, I had an electrician install a 3-phase outlet. He used a NEMA L14-20 receptacle and left us a NEMA L14-20 plug to connect to the device which uses the power. This is a 208 V installation (measures at 212V phase-to-phase, and all three phases present, plus GND). We plan to use it to power a servo-motor drive. The drive model is SVA-2300 from automation direct.

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Motion_Control/Servo_Systems/Drives_-a-_Motors_Components/SVA-2300

This doesn't seem right. Seems like he should have used a NEMA L15-20 receptacle and plug. Is it common or correct to use NEMA L14-20 receptacles for 3-phase power? Should I ask him to redo it or just use the plug he left for us? Obviously it will work and be safe for us, but it seems like if someone came along and plugged in something else to that outlet, it could be a problem for them.

He is a professional electrician and the work is well done and neat otherwise.

Edit History: added 'L' prefix. This is a locking connector. It is a 208 V outlet (measures at 212 phase-to-phase). Noted that all three phases are present. Added information about load.

Best Answer

NEMA 14-20 are intended for two phase power. Of the four conductors, two are energized, one is neutral, and one is ground.

enter image description here (NEMA 14-20 diagram)

A NEMA L15 is specifically intended for 3 phase power including a ground (but no neutral). The number after the hyphen is the current rating. That is, NEMA L15-60 is for 60 ampere conductors.

enter image description here (NEMA L15-20 diagram)

As you can see, they look vitually identical. See the full chart here.

I can see why one would make the substitution. The NEMA 14 is like a $25 connector. The L15-20 is closer to $60, each side. They both accommodate four wires. I am sure it would not pass muster to substitute one for the other, but in a private, non-commercial, non-permanent installation where there is no possibility of intermixing the connectors with other devices and outlets, it might be okay safety-wise with durable signage present.