A Comparative Analysis Of NEMA 14-30 Vs 14-50!

Charging your EV can be a hassle sometime. You need to think about the duration, amperage, gains and many other factors.

And EV charger adapters plays a huge role on it.  The most common adapters are the 14-30 and 14-50. It’s quite natural to get confused between them.

But, actually, there are subtle differences between these two adapters.

So, do you want to clear out the confusion about nema 14-30 Vs 14-50?

An EV will draw 24 amps from NEMA 14-30 compared to 32 amps from the 14-50. NEMA 14-30 has a maximum power output of 30A. And the counterpart 14-50 has a 50 Amps output. Also, they have different-looking prongs that can be noticed easily. That’s not everything, there are some other factors as well.

It’s always better to know more about these things before selecting. Because you’ll be using these on a regular basis.

So, let’s not waste any more time and get going!

Briefly Explained: NEMA 14-30 Vs 14-50

In this segment, you’ll get to know the differentiating factors of these two adapters. However, the full comparison is up next on the list. So, let’s go through the details briefly.

First of all, both these outlet plugs have different ampere output. Depending on your car, the 14-30 can deliver up to 24A. Although it’s rated for 30A, you’ll get a decreased power output. 

Similarly, NEMA 14-50r adapter can deliver around 40-42A depending on the car. It’s too rated for a higher rate of 50 Amps. 

Now, let’s look at the other factors in this table-

These are just brief overview of what’s to come next. I hope you are still with me. If so, let’s dive deep into knowing more about these two wall adapters.

A Comprehensive Comparison of NEMA 14-30 Vs 14-50

You might think that you already know a lot about these two NEMA adapters. Let me tell you. It’s not even near the full story. 

So, let’s go through all the important factors one by one.

Appearance

Looks can be the most significant differentiator between two things. You also saw how you can know about the 35 offsets vs 45 offsets by looks. Here, you can also identify them by their appearance.

For the NEMA 14-30 adapter, there are a total of 4 prongs. But one of them, which is the neutral pin, is L-shaped. 

Source: clippercreek.com

Whereas the neutral pin in the 14-50 adapter, all the pins are I-shaped, including the neutral one.

So, you can find out about what’s your outlet by looking at the pins. Isn’t that easy!

Amperage Drawn By EV

These two adapters do say they have a certain max amperage. However, it’s not the practical one, which the car will draw.

The NEMA 14-30 allows a Tesla to siphon up to 24 amps. On the other hand, the NEMA 14-50 will drain up to 32 amps. 

The 14-30 will conserve 5.7 kW at 240 volts. And its counterpart 14-50 will get 7.6 kW at. 240 volts.

But that does not mean the 14-50 will always recharge at a higher speed. Because the recharge speed varies on different models of both of the adapters.

Here are some of the adapters of both of the categories-

Circuit Breaker & Amps

Again, another easy distinguisher between the two adapters. They both serve a bit of a separate purpose altogether. Because they don’t support the same level of power output.

Anything above the mentioned power will result in tripping the circuit breaker. Thus making the adapter go flat.

The Nema is rated for only 30A output. So, you’re not getting above that. Actually, you won’t be able to reach the 30 Amps mark! It can only provide a max output of 24A consistently as mentioned beforehand.

On the other hand, the 14-50 adapters are rated for a whopping 50A output. That’s quite a lot compared to the other one, isn’t that. 

However, this type of high-powered charger can also max efficiency at 80%.

Either way, you get a very different output with use cases.

Conductor & Wiring Support

This segment is quite special. Although this wiring construction is somewhat similar to build quality, they are not exactly. 

So, don’t confuse it with what you found in 255 tires vs 265 tires.

The conducting wires that are accepted by 14-30 are within 4 to 10 gauge. These 4 types of grounding are good for everyday use. You won’t need any extra neutral wire for further support.

Source: Electrek.co

On the opposite side, the 14-50 accepts 4, 6, 8 gauges. You will need an additional neutral wire to widen the support. Then, you can use 125V or 250V appliances.

So, that’s the main difference in wire support. Let’s move on to the last segment.

Charging Duration

Charging time is definitely important for your EV. Charging your EV with 14-50 NEMA takes a bit longer. Because it uses lower power output and trickle charging. If you charge your EV overnight, then it’s completely fine.

NEMA 14-50 uses a higher power output and charges your EV more efficiently. While it does not focus too much on trickle charging, it’s still a good option.

Final Verdict

Do you understand the contrasting elements of the two plugs now? If not, let’s see a quick overview.

The 14-30 maxes out at 30A output whereas the 14-50 adapter ran up to 50A. Then comes the neutral pin look. The neutral pin in the former has an L shape. However, the latter tesla NEMA 14-50 adapter has a typical I shape.

When it comes to charging, 14-50 can provide quick charging. On the other hand, 14-30 is good for overnight trickle charging. 

So, are you clear about them at last? If so, you will love these output plugs from the famous Conntek-

I hope, you find these helpful!

FAQs

Why Is NEMA 14-50 Adapter Not Included with Most EVs?

While NEMA 14-50 is a common plug used in EVs, they are not included in the package. Because there are more efficient ways to charge your EVs. And the percentage of people looking for 14-50 adapters is not that huge. That’s why manufacturers don’t include the charging adapter nowadays.

Which NEMA Adapter Is Better for Quick Charging? 

When it comes to quick charging your EV, either 14-50 or 6-50 will be a good choice. Because you can charge your vehicle within a short period more efficiently. Although there are better proprietary wall chargers available, NEMA adapters are universal. So, go with any of these two adapters.

Is NEMA 6-50 Any Good?

Of course, it is, depending on what you are going to use it for. If you want to plug your EV for charging, it can definitely support your needs. Other than that, it is also cost-efficient and easy to install. However, it’s not the best plug if you want to use a dryer or similar tools.

Conclusion

That’s everything on NEMA 14-30 Vs 14-50! Let me know if you are all clear about the differences.

If you’re not, the comment section is open 24/7! So, don’t hesitate to communicate.

Finally, best of luck with your outlet plugs and EV!

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Robert Lozano

My name is Robert Lozano, and I am an automotive enthusiast and author. A great passion for engineering has fueled my desire to share my skills and educate others on challenging engineering terms and topics. Thanks to our readers, I am currently receiving a lot of nice feedback. While writing an article, I am always learning and assessing myself.

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