0

I have 10 AWG wire run to a 2 gang box (10-2 wire). It is 1 circuit protected by a double pole 30 amp breaker. Since it is 2-gang, can I use 2 30 amp twist lock receptacles (specifically the Hubbell HBL2620 30A 250V receptacle) in the box both connected to this same circuit?

The 2 machines I would be plugging in would never go above 30 amps, more like 23 amps combined if run at the same time.

Or should I just use 1 30A receptacle and not try for two? I wasn't even sure if these receptacles were designed to be linked together on the same circuit in the same box like normal household 120v outlets were.

Improve this question
5
  • 1
    The question I would be asking with a setup like this is whether the appliances and their flexible cords are suitable for direct connection to a 30A circuit without further overcurrent protection.
    – Peter Green
    Commented Jan 21, 2017 at 6:47
  • Do you want to have 2 -240 volt circuits or 2- 120 volt circuits and what amperage do you want for each receptacle. If you want 2- 240 volt circuits the total amperage of the 2 combined will be 30 amps not 30amps each for a total of 60 amps. If you want 2- 120 volt circuits with 30 amps for each circuit then you will need 10-4/wg. or 2 10-2/wg wires because you need 2 hots and 2 neutrals, plus a ground wire.
    – d.george
    Commented Jan 21, 2017 at 11:01
  • @PeterGreen -- any appliance with a 30A plug fitted is suitable for direct connection to a 30A circuit in NEC-land. Any further overcurrent protection will be supplementary protection inside the appliance itself. (See NEC 240.5 for what's going on here.)
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Jan 21, 2017 at 21:24
  • But presumablly before fitting a 30A plug to an appliance you need to check it's suitable.
    – Peter Green
    Commented Jan 21, 2017 at 21:48
  • The machines I am referring to come with simply a wire and I can fit ANY appropriate plug and use any compatible outlet. They did this for versatility since they do not know what kind of outlets a person might already be using. I talked with someone at the company who told me this. The machine uses 16 amps at 240v and I have another machine I'd like to run on the same circuit that uses 6.5 amps at 240v and I am simply asking if I can install another outlet in this box and use both at the same time, which would never exceed 23 amps.
    – Greg
    Commented Jan 22, 2017 at 20:27

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

This keeps coming up: The question of whether you can put more than one receptacle on a 30A circuit.

All the receptacles must be 30A. (NEC 210.2B3)

It's very surprising to find 30A plugs on machines that fall considerably short of 30A. Generally they use a 15A or 20A plug if they are able.

I'm not sure you can fit two of those connectors two abreast in a 2-gang box. That's a mighty tight fit, and I'm concerned with the screws striking each other.

It'll be tight and awkward to grab, and depending on the plug, they might interfere. I'd go a double-gang bolted to a single-gang with a conduit nipple.

Big receptacles don't have 2 screws, so you'll need to pigtail them. The extra wire count will mean you'll have a lot of box fill, in both the Code requirements and in the actual sense. You'll need a very deep box.

Improve this answer
1
  • The machines I am referring to come with simply a wire and I can fit ANY appropriate plug and use any compatible outlet. They did this for versatility since they do not know what kind of outlets a person might already be using. I talked with someone at the company who told me this. The machine uses 16 amps at 240v and I have another machine I'd like to run on the same circuit that uses 6.5 amps at 240v and I am simply asking if I can install another outlet in this box and use both at the same time, which would never exceed 23 amps. The Hubbell receptacles I am asking about have 2 screws
    – Greg
    Commented Jan 22, 2017 at 20:29

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.