I'm not an electrical engineer, but I play one on TV. OK, maybe it was actually a short, independent, film entitled "Debbie Does Diodes."

Nevertheless, the receptacle that you've shown is NEMA 6-20R, which means that it is supposed to be wired to a 240V, 1 phase, 20 amp circuit (R indicates receptacle). The plugs shown are NEMA 6-15P (240V, 15 amp) and 6-20P (240V, 20 amp), respectively. You are correct in assuming that you can use either a NEMA 6-15P or 6-20P in a 6-20R receptacle. This was done for convenience, since a 20 amp circuit can easily handle a 15 amp load.

In your last post, you said that your house wiring is suspect. That's why I said wire it straight to the breaker box. The fact that you have a NEMA 6-20R implies (by NEC code) that the wires attached to it can actually handle a 20 amp load. However, landlords are sleazy bastards, so if the wiring between your receptacle and the breaker/fuse is only rated for 15A, bad shit will happen if you exceed 15 amps. Look at the the breaker for the air conditioner circuit and see if it says 15A or 20A. What I'm getting at is that some fucknut landlord might have simply replaced the receptacle w/out changing the wiring.

Furthermore, when discussing your appliance purchase at the store, it is important to be well versed in the industry jargon. While the technical terminology for your receptacle is NEMA 6-20R, we like to refer to it in the electrical trades as "C3PO's Cornhole." Just lay that phrase on them at the counter of the appliance store and they'll know that you're a pro that the can't screw around with.

Also, here is a link to a chart of NEMA P/R configurations:

click here

Fuck, I hate Baltiblogs comments.

https://
www.hubbellnet.com/max_htm/tech_stuff/NEMA/front.html

those plugs look like they have a hell of a hangover

Wait, where's the butt-sex jokes? Damnit!

C3PO's cornhole. writing it down. got it. thanks! now I feel all jargon smart. do you have any idea how difficult it was to image google something when I had no clue as to what is the proper term?

actually, the hardware surrounding the socket makes it the only piece of wiring I have any faith in. It's all connected to a steel external casement that runs on the outside of the wall (not connected to the pre Roosevelt wiring), has two dedicated switches in the circuit box, marked "20." So it looks like it can handle a little juice? Sweet.

Thanks!

ACW, what, are you too good to think up one?

I think the butt-sex jokes are the difference between the 15 amp load and the 20 amp load....

But then again, I could just have a dirty mind.

Aww...that one up top looks so cute when he's sleeping.

than I'll just need the 15 amps. ACW, on the other hand, has 20 amps written all over him.

and just for the record, i'm not into that sort of thing, but if I was, I would TOTALLY be a "P." and ACW is so obviously an "R."