A data-center technician must order a vertical rack PDU for a new row of servers. Each facility circuit delivers 208 V at 30 A and terminates in a locking receptacle. To ensure the PDU can draw the full current and resist accidental disconnection, which power-input plug type should the technician specify on the purchase order?
The 30-ampere, 250-volt NEMA L6-30P is a twist-locking ("L") plug designed for two-pole, three-wire 208/240 V circuits. It is rated for the full 30 A provided by the branch circuit and its locking design prevents the cord from being pulled out accidentally-exactly what is required for a rack PDU on a 208 V/30 A feed.
The straight-blade NEMA 5-15P is limited to 125 V/15 A and would neither meet the voltage nor current requirement. IEC 60320 C14 inlets are normally found on the equipment side of power cords and are rated at only 10 A, far below the circuit capacity. IEC 60320 C20 inlets support up to 16-20 A (depending on certification) but still fall short of the 30 A draw and offer no locking mechanism. Therefore, only the NEMA L6-30P satisfies both the electrical rating and the physical security needed.