What are NEMA 6-20 250V receptacles used for?

[wavinwayne]

I recently moved into a home that has several of these outlets in various places throughout. After a bit of googling, they appear to be NEMA 6-20 250 volt receptacles. In my 52 years, I haven't ever owned anything that plugs into this type of receptacle. Do you all have any of these outlets in your place, and what do you plug into them?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

People seem to use it for 240V air conditioners (not the kind you put in the window, but apparently there are special air conditioners that use their own 240V circuit)

Some people also use them for EV charging

That's what people said in Amazon reviews of a NEMA 6-20

Further reading says it's used in commercial kitchens

 

[clinebarger]

People seem to use it for 240V air conditioners (not the kind you put in the window, but apparently there are special air conditioners that use their own 240V circuit)

Some people also use them for EV charging

That's what people said in Amazon reviews of a NEMA 6-20

Further reading says it's used in commercial kitchens

I've had 240V window units use that plug, Plasma cutters & smaller mig welding machines also

 

[4WD]

Yep, AC at my camp has that puppy …

 

[wwillson]

20 amps at 240v is 40 amps at 120v, so it's capable of delivering a lot more power than your normal 15 amp 120v outlet.

 

[4WD]

20 amps at 240v is 40 amps at 120v, so it's capable of delivering a lot more power than your normal 15 amp 120v outlet.

Yep,
had a spare we converted into 120v 20 amp GFCI for 15 amp saws etc …

 

[JHZR2]

This air compressor has that type of plug.

 

[RooflessVW]

When my home was built I had two of these put in the garage for future EV charging.

 

[Opelman]

I've recently picked up an old Amana microwave oven that uses this plug.

 

[Hohn]

When my home was built I had two of these put in the garage for future EV charging.

I'd have thought you would have used a 6-50 or 14-50.

There's not much point to special wiring only stay with a 20a circuit.

 

[dlundblad]

I wonder why they are throughout the house. Is your panel loaded with 240v breakers?

House appliance wise, my mind goes to wall mounted AC units and tanning beds.

 

[kschachn]

Yeah my air compressor as well.

 

[wavinwayne]

I wonder why they are throughout the house. Is your panel loaded with 240v breakers?

I'll post a pic the next time I'm in the breaker room. I have an interesting setup, with one giant main? panel and two smaller sub? panels, each with its own surge suppressor, all backed up by a Generac system.

Not sure what the previous 2 owners were into. Both were older couples and I can tell one (maybe both?) of the gents was a DIYer just by some of the shelves and stuff that were built in some of the storage areas. House is a little over 3K square feet, so there is plenty of room to get into whatever hobby one has.

 

[Sedin26]

I had an old bench grinder that used that plug…

 

[JC1]

I have garage heaters that have that plug. I have a 240v 50amp outlet, so I cut that plug off so it would work with my outlet.

 

[wavinwayne]

From what everyone has posted so far, doesn't sound like I'll be needing these outlets. Good info, though.