What type of plug is needed for an air compressor?
Asked by Joselien Van der Winden 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 24, 2024
Do you know what type of plug this is? It’s for an air compressor.
NEMA 6-20p (20 amp 220)
This plug is a NEMA 6-20, it operates at 240 volts and 20 amps
So, , does that mean it has to be connected to a 220 plug? Would using a converter not work at all?
That plug is for 240 volts. You can use it with a 240V outlet, like the one displayed below. Normally, the outlet is on its own dedicated 240V circuit.
Probably not. There are some exceptions, but I don’t want to suggest anything that might be dangerous.
Hey Jasmine, it should be a 220V with at least a 20A breaker. My 220V equipment all requires a 220V 30A breaker. I changed all the cord ends to match.
Hey Jasmine, sorry but you can’t use a converter. It has to be 220V.
Hey , make sure to inspect the motor’s end cover on the compressor for different connections that can be used for switching between 120-240
Do whatever is necessary to get to 220-221
Yep, that’s the plug typically used by a 220v a/c window unit.
This appears to be a NEMA 5-20p plug
Check out this link for more information: https://www.elliottelectric.com/nema-straight-blade-plug-receptacle-connector-chart.aspx
Rod a 5-20 looks similar. That was my initial impression.
6-20P
220 volts
A mix of Chinese and American influences
Ny Sherman haha that’s what I first thought! We ordered some Chinese plug gadgets from Amazon and it brought back memories of those 🤣
I also have the identical plug on my compressor. I adjusted the 240v socket on the wall to accommodate it.
European
Why even bother responding if you’re not sure?
Hey , have you ever visited that place?
Hey Scotty, just so you know, you can order some things with either plug option. And maybe you shouldn’t answer. Lol.
Hey, curious about where to find quail plugs? Check out this link: https://www.generatorjoe.net/html/web/outlet/quailplug.html
I didn’t mean it like that, haha. I was trying to ask, “how does that even help?” I could have just said “North American” and it would have meant the same thing.
Context can be tricky online, 🙂
This plug is designed for 20 amps at 110 volts, which ensures you can’t use a 20-amp device in a 15-amp outlet. Just to clarify, it’s not for 220 volts.
Hey , take another look… you might be mistaken
Wait, wouldn’t the 20a 110v have the horizontal blade on the left side (if you’re facing the plug) and the 220v on the right?
Absolutely correct. They switched up the vertical and horizontal blade orientations for the 20a 110v model.
What’s plugged into the 20 amp outlet? It seems more like a 110 volt than a 220 volt.
It’s a 20 amp 250 volt. 6-20P plug.
Drawing a higher amount of amps
Designed for 120 volts and can handle up to 20 amps
No content
20 amps at 120 volts
That seems to be electrical, right?
220 volts
20 amps
What voltage is required by the machine? We have a bender at work that also uses a 20 amp plug but operates on 120V. Just a fun fact, I’m actually a licensed electrician.
I’ll need to check. This belongs to my partner, who resides in a rented place so rewiring isn’t an option. However, we plan to construct a workshop and are interested in the wiring requirements.
So you don’t accidentally plug into a 15amp duplex outlet.
Seems to be a NEMA 6-20 according to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector
It’s a 5-20R outlet. Typically used for devices that draw close to 20 amps. Often found in places like garages where a dedicated 20 amp circuit is installed, the matching single plug ensures that specific items can be connected without sharing a circuit with other devices on a normal 15 amp outlet circuit.
This is a 20 amp (6-20P) 250 volt plug.
I’ve encountered a similar issue in the past – just grab some pliers and straighten it out, it should do the trick.
Check out this link for a NEMA plug and outlet chart: https://www.bsaelectronics.com/pages/nema-plug-and-outlet-chart