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I'm trying to wire an outlet for my lathe. The manufacturer recommends a 15 amp breaker. I am planning to run 10 gauge wire approximately 25' to the outlet where I can plug in my lathe. The motor is rated at 8 amps. I currently have an empty 20 amp breaker for 220 in my box. Here are a few pics of what I'm thinking of using.

The first is the plug for the lathe:

lathe controller and plug

The second is the motor specs of the lathe:

motor specs

Would the following 20 amp outlet work for this?

20A outlet

I've wired 110 but never 220. Also BTW it has a phase converter allowing it to run off 1 phase.

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You may know that on 120V circuits, you are allowed to use 15A receptacles on a 20A circuit. This is a special exception that only applies to 15A receptacles only on 20A circuits.

The Code says nothing about voltage.. You can use exactly the same exception on a 240V 20A circuit. You are free to use 15A or 20A receptacles (NEMA 6-15 or 6-20).

If you use a 20A receptacle (NEMA 6-20), the 15A plug will fit in it just fine. They are keyed to do that. (Just the same way as 120V NEMA 5-20 sockets will accept the common NEMA 5-15 plugs.)

There is only one gotcha: if there is only one socket in the whole circuit, the socket size must match the breaker size. So if you use a NEMA 6-15 on your 20A circuit, make sure it's the usual twin-socket receptacle, don't use a one-eye.

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    Hey thanks! That clears things up. Would this outlet be appropriate to match? It's a 20 amp, just has an extra T in it, I'm guessing to designate that its 20 amp?homedepot.com/p/…-PIPHorizontal2_rr--301207379--100356999--N
    – Bace Juex
    Nov 22, 2018 at 19:47
  • The T allows it to take both 15A and 20A plugs.
    – Peter Green
    Nov 23, 2018 at 0:11
  • @BaceJuex yes, that will be fine, just make sure it's on a 20A breaker. They also make those in duplex if you want two sockets.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Nov 23, 2018 at 0:55
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You may be close on the actual power needed if you reduce down to 15 amp protection. the motor is 8 amp 3 phase so if using single phase 240 to power the inverter 1.73 is the factor plus the losses of the inverter and the control starter , work light. since lathes are not a continuous duty device it may work but will be close. I would want to use a 20 amp outlet and keep the 20 amp breaker.

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  • Thanks all, very helpful, just had to re read a couple times. I think I'll go with the 20 amp receptacle.
    – Bace Juex
    Nov 22, 2018 at 20:08

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