[Amps] 220 amp power supply plugs

[Joe Isabella]

Tom,
There really isn't a "standard" per se, but I have been using the three wire dryer (30A) dryer plugs/outlets.  A lot of folks use the 20A plugs that basically look like a 117V outlet with one of the lugs turned 90 degrees (not to be confused with the 117V 20A type -- it has the opposite blade turned 90 degrees!!).  Most amps use two "hots" and a ground, so three wire plugs & outlets are normally sufficient.  This subject has been brought up several times before, and there is always the issue of whether or not a neutral is needed.  Normally, the power supplies are setup so it isn't, but there are exceptions.  My previous amp was a TL-922 and I currently run a Henry 3K-A -- both of which didn't require Neutral.
 
I would say wire your shack for 4-wire (two hots, a neutral, and a ground) using at least 12-3 (depending on the distance) so that you're prepared for anything.  That way, if you ever get an amp the needs it, you'll have it there.
 
Joe, N3JI


Tom Anderson <WW5L at gte.net> wrote:
Fellow amp aficionados:

Pardon the seemingly dumb question.

For years I have used either a Collins 30-L-1, or a Yaesu FL2100B amp, 
both wired by their previous owners for 120 and used on 20 amp AC circuits.

I'm considering adding 220 in the shack in case I ever decided to buy 
something a little beefier output wise (The father of a Boy Scout I 
helped earn his Eagle Scout rank has made me a good offer to do the 
wiring. He owns his own electrical contracting business.) But since 
I've never really looked at the power supply cords for a 220 amp I was 
wondering if there was a standard 220 plug for amps? At Ham Com in 
Arlington Texas earlier this month I looked at several Ameritrons that 
were set up for 220 and they had 220 plugs that had a plug with two 
parallel lugs and one vertical. I was wondering if this was the 
"standard" on 220 for amps? I've been to Lowe's and Home Depot and seen 
the plethora of 220 plugs they carry. It seems that clothes dryers and 
electric stoves now used a four conductor plug (rather than the old 
three conductor) supposedly called for in the latest National Electrical 
Code revisions.

Tom, WW5L





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