NEMA 6-50 — 250 V, 50 A Plug & Receptacle
NEMA 6-50 is a straight-blade configuration per NEMA WD-6: 250 V, 50 A, 2-pole 3-wire grounding. Welders, EV charging. The receptacle is 6-50R, the matching plug 6-50P.
Face diagrams by Comrade Mmirg via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 / CC0, unmodified.
Specifications
- Configuration
- 6-50
- Series
- Straight blade
- Voltage rating
- 250 V
- Amp rating
- 50 A
- Poles / wires
- 2P–3W
- Neutral
- No
- Equipment ground
- Yes
- Max load (at rating)
- 250 V × 50 A = 12,500 VA
- Continuous (80%)
- 10,000 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
Welders, EV charging. Family 6 overall: welders, ev charging, 240 v equipment (6-50). Blade geometry keys the voltage family physically: a plug from a different voltage class will not enter this receptacle.
NEMA 6-50 vs the ones it gets confused with
6-50 vs 14-50
Same amps, same 250 V class, one difference: 6-50 has no neutral (2P–3W). Welders and many EV chargers don’t need one; a range does — which is why the two are not interchangeable.
RELATED CONFIGURATIONS
See every configuration on the full NEMA plug & receptacle chart →
Common questions
What is the difference between 6-50R and 6-50P?
The letter is the device: 6-50R is the receptacle (outlet), 6-50P is the plug on the cord. Both share the same configuration — 250 V, 50 A, 2-pole 3-wire grounding.
Does NEMA 6-50 have a neutral and a ground?
No neutral — the 250 V rating means the circuit runs line-to-line with no neutral. It carries an equipment grounding conductor (the extra wire beyond the poles).
NEMA 6-50 vs 14-50 — what is the difference?
Same amps, same 250 V class, one difference: 6-50 has no neutral (2P–3W). Welders and many EV chargers don’t need one; a range does — which is why the two are not interchangeable.
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