Why so?

[mbrooke]

Why does a NEMA 6-50r have one slot intentionally smaller than the other? :blink:

I was specking several for a kiln room and was asked that today. I couldn't come up with an answer considering this is a non polarized receptacle?

 

[jumper]

Looking at the nema chart, my first guess would be to differentiate it from a 5-50R.

 

[mbrooke]

Looking at the nema chart, my first guess would be to differentiate it from a 5-50R.

That is a possibility, but the NEMA 5-50 is polarized (technically the ground pin is enough). However, the 6-50 shouldn't care.