Does anybody make a 5 wire receptacle/plug?

[Number22]

I have three phase 208v power in my shop. That means 3 hot wires, 1 neutral, and 1 ground. I would really like to have a full 3 phase outlet to plug into with 5 wires. (30-50 amp) I can easily buy a 50A 4 wire stove socket and cord, or a 30A 4 wire twist lock cord/socket, but is there such a thing with 5 wires?

 

[mrb]

yes, there are 5 wire twistlocks. For 30 amps, NEMA L21-30 for 120/208Y 4P5W. Hubbell and Leviton p/n is 2811 for cord male, 2813 for cord female, receptacle is 2810 I believe. I have a few on hand if you need.

there is no affordable 50a 5 wire. there are connectors such as pin and sleeve but they dont come cheap.

 

[rockwithjason]

sometimes you can score one reasonably on ebay. you can also try a place called too many amps located in las vegas.

 

[Number22]

Thanks, good to know the NEMA names. Unfortunately 3 phase is not something I can browse through at Home Depot. Twist lock would be great, I currently have a big 30A 120v L5-30 outlet in my ceiling with a big cord that reaches all the corners of my shop, I love it!

Now I hate to think of the cost of 10/5 flexible cable.

 

[Number22]

Sweet, plugs/outlets are only about $15 on ebay. That's cheaper than the 3 wire stuff at HD!

 

[oleguy]

why are you doing that?

 

[Number22]

why are you doing that?

This is America, do I need a reason?

Mostly I'm rewiring my whole shop with lots of new dedicated outlets, I'd like to add some of these as well. Some things require full 3 phase hookup, like a motor or something.

 

[D KRAGER]

Never heard of having the five wires. Everything here at work is 3 phase. 3 hots and then ground. 4 wires not 5. You don't use a neutral, just ground. Unless you have some special equipment that you are picking up 110 off of that needs the neutral. ?????

Can someone else chime in here (Charles) what's the need for the neutral?

 

[mrb]

Never heard of having the five wires. Everything here at work is 3 phase. 3 hots and then ground. 4 wires not 5. You don't use a neutral, just ground. Unless you have some special equipment that you are picking up 110 off of that needs the neutral. ?????

Can someone else chime in here (Charles) what's the need for the neutral?

you got it, 5 wire is for when you need 120 circuits out of it. For example you can take a 5 wire 120/208Y 20amp circuit (L21-20 connector) and have a breakout box with duplex receptacles and get three 20 amp circuits out of one cord. At the same time, if he just wants to plug a motor in which does not require a neutral, dont connect to the neutral in the plug.

 

[Number22]

you got it, 5 wire is for when you need 120 circuits out of it. For example you can take a 5 wire 120/208Y 20amp circuit (L21-20 connector) and have a breakout box with duplex receptacles and get three 20 amp circuits out of one cord.

Yep! I was mainly thinking about having 3 seperate 30A circuits @ 120v or any other combo I might need. 90 amps from a 10 gauge cable, safely! That's why I like the idea of having 5 wire outlets, I can just plug in anything, even if it doesn't use all 5 wires.

 

[Number22]

Something kinda like this is what I was thinking about:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Phase-Power-D...QcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_UPS?hash=item3353845fb8
Although I can make my own for less than 1/4 of that price....

 

[mrb]

Something kinda like this is what I was thinking about:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Phase-Power-D...QcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_UPS?hash=item3353845fb8
Although I can make my own for less than 1/4 of that price....

gotta be careful with that adapter, you have 30 amps supplying stuff rated at much less, very easy to melt an extension cord and start a fire.

I have some boxes made up with L21-30 inlet on it, six 20 amp breakers, and six duplex receptacles. Also did it with L5-20 twistlock receptacles since I use 20a twistlock for most of my temp power stuff.