NEMA 5-20 — 125 V, 20 A Plug & Receptacle
NEMA 5-20 is a straight-blade configuration per NEMA WD-6: 125 V, 20 A, 2-pole 3-wire grounding. Commercial / kitchen 20 A circuits (T-slot). The receptacle is 5-20R, the matching plug 5-20P.
Face diagrams by Comrade Mmirg via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 / CC0, unmodified.
Specifications
- Configuration
- 5-20
- Series
- Straight blade
- Voltage rating
- 125 V
- Amp rating
- 20 A
- Poles / wires
- 2P–3W
- Neutral
- Yes
- Equipment ground
- Yes
- Max load (at rating)
- 125 V × 20 A = 2,500 VA
- Continuous (80%)
- 2,000 VA
Load figures are the arithmetic of the device rating at unity power factor. Continuous loads (3 hours or more) are limited to 80% of the circuit rating per NEC 210.19/210.20 — and the branch circuit behind the receptacle comes from the load calculation and conductor sizing, not from the plug face.
Where you meet it
Commercial / kitchen 20 A circuits (T-slot). Family 5 overall: the receptacle — household 5-15, commercial 5-20. Blade geometry keys the voltage family physically: a plug from a different voltage class will not enter this receptacle.
NEMA 5-20 vs the ones it gets confused with
5-20 vs 5-15
The T-slot 5-20R is backward compatible: it accepts 5-15P and 5-20P. The dedicated 20 A blade orientation only matters on the plug side.
RELATED CONFIGURATIONS
See every configuration on the full NEMA plug & receptacle chart →
Common questions
What is the difference between 5-20R and 5-20P?
The letter is the device: 5-20R is the receptacle (outlet), 5-20P is the plug on the cord. Both share the same configuration — 125 V, 20 A, 2-pole 3-wire grounding.
Does NEMA 5-20 have a neutral and a ground?
Yes on the neutral — the 125 V rating means the circuit includes a grounded (neutral) conductor. It carries an equipment grounding conductor (the extra wire beyond the poles).
NEMA 5-20 vs 5-15 — what is the difference?
The T-slot 5-20R is backward compatible: it accepts 5-15P and 5-20P. The dedicated 20 A blade orientation only matters on the plug side.
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