NEMA L14-30125/250 V, 30 A Twist-Lock Plug & Receptacle

NEMA L14-30 is a twist-locking configuration per NEMA WD-6: 125/250 V, 30 A, 3-pole 4-wire grounding. Generator inlets and cords. The receptacle is L14-30R, the matching plug L14-30P.

No free-licensed face diagram exists for this configuration yet — locking faces are not on Wikimedia Commons. The specs below still identify it unambiguously.

Specifications

Configuration
L14-30
Series
Locking (L / twist-lock)
Voltage rating
125/250 V
Amp rating
30 A
Poles / wires
3P–4W
Neutral
Yes
Equipment ground
Yes
Max load (at rating)
250 V × 30 A = 7,500 VA
Continuous (80%)
6,000 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

Generator inlets and cords. Family L14 overall: generator inlets and cords (l14-30). The locking blades twist in and cannot vibrate or pull loose — the reason generators, stage rigs, and equipment connections spec the L series over its straight-blade cousins.

NEMA L14-30 vs the ones it gets confused with

L14-30 vs 14-50

The generator-transfer pair people cross-shop: L14-30 is locking, 30 A, 125/250 V (7,500 W class inlets); 14-50 is straight-blade, 50 A, on RV pedestals and ranges. Different blades, different amps — cords exist for the adapter question, panels don’t care.

L14-30 vs L5-30

Both are 30 A locking generator staples. L14-30 carries two hots + neutral + ground (240/120 V — feeds a transfer switch); L5-30 is 125 V only (2P–3W) for single-voltage loads.

RELATED CONFIGURATIONS

L14-20Straight-blade twin: 14-30

See every configuration on the full NEMA plug & receptacle chart →

Common questions

What is the difference between L14-30R and L14-30P?

The letter is the device: L14-30R is the receptacle (outlet), L14-30P is the plug on the cord. Both share the same configuration — 125/250 V, 30 A, 3-pole 4-wire grounding, twist-locking blades.

Does NEMA L14-30 have a neutral and a ground?

Yes on the neutral — the 125/250 V rating means the circuit includes a grounded (neutral) conductor. It carries an equipment grounding conductor (the extra wire beyond the poles).

NEMA L14-30 vs 14-50 — what is the difference?

The generator-transfer pair people cross-shop: L14-30 is locking, 30 A, 125/250 V (7,500 W class inlets); 14-50 is straight-blade, 50 A, on RV pedestals and ranges. Different blades, different amps — cords exist for the adapter question, panels don’t care.

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