Skip to content

20A 125V NEMA L5-20P Twist-Lock Power Cords

15–20 Amps125 voltsNEMA L5-20PULRoHScULREACH

Reference guide:NEMA connector guide →

54

configurations

Not sure which cord you need?

Answer a few quick questions and we’ll narrow it down for you.

Match by picture

About 20A 125V NEMA L5-20P Twist-Lock Power Cords

Key features of the versatility of the NEMA L5-20R power cables.

With 125 Volts and 20 Amps of available power supply, the power cable delivers enough power to supply most of the small equipment, without requiring an additional load line. Making installation of a receptacle easier if one does not exist. The Locking design of the L520 plug ensures a snug and reliable connection, eliminating worries of accidental disconnections that result in loud arcing, machine down time, and in some cases electrical shock. Safety is paramount to everything, especially when dealing with electrical power. Rest easy knowing that the NEMA L5-20r twist lock comes with a dedicated ground conductor to ensure safety during operation.

Extending a NEMA L5 20R receptacle with a NEMA L5-20 extension cable.

n the event that your equipment’s power supply cable cannot reach the power source, you can utilize the robust construction and versatility of a NEMA L5-20 extension cord. These power cables are always designed with a safety-first approach and contain quality materials and are tested to ensure the proper performance in the field.

The plugs and connectors in this collection

What each end is, what it mates with, and where to find every cord built on it.

  • NEMA L5-20P plug

    Plug · NEMA

    NEMA L5-20P

    • 20 Amps
    • 125 volts

    On 42 of the cords here (78%)

    The NEMA L5-20P is a 3 Wire 3 Blade grounded plug featuring three blades arranged in a circular pattern, rated up to 125V AC and 20 Amps. The NEMA L5-20P's blades are further separated than the NEMA L5-15P and is used in applications that require high amperage such as industrial/professional appliances. The locking feature prevents the plug from accidental disconnecting from the outlet, preventing power loss.

    Mates with NEMA L5-20R Outlet

    You are on the NEMA L5-20P family page.

  • NEMA L5-20R connector

    Connector

    NEMA L5-20R

    • 20 Amps
    • 125 volts

    On 18 of the cords here (33%)

    The NEMA L5-20R is a twist-locking NEMA connector that is rated for 125VAC and 20 Amps of power in North America. The Twist Lock configuration can lock into place by twisting the plug and connector after mating. This is an effective solution for high-traffic areas and powering equipment like electrical motors that should not be unplugged under load.

    Mates with NEMA L5-20P Inlet

  • IEC 60320 C13 connector

    Connector · IEC 60320

    IEC 60320 C13

    • 15 Amps
    • 125/250V

    On 6 of the cords here (11%)

    The IEC 60320 C13 is a grounded 3 Wire connector rated up to 250V and 15 Amps. The C13 mates with a C14 inlet, and is commonly used in a jumper cable scenario in IT Installations providing power from a PDU to a server, router, switch or other computing device. Most people know the C13 as 'the thing that plugs into my computer' because it is the standard connector used to power most desktop computers. In a desktop computer application, the most common cable is the NEMA 5-15P to C13, which connects your standard North American wall outlet to a desktop computer.

    Mates with IEC 60320 C14 Inlet

  • IEC 60320 C15 connector

    Connector · IEC 60320

    IEC 60320 C15

    • 15 Amps
    • 125/250V

    On 6 of the cords here (11%)

    The IEC 320 C15 Power cable is used to power electrical devices that emit so much heat (intentionally or unintentionally) that they require a power connection that can withstand more than the 70 °C (158 °F) temperature rating of the standard C13. In combination with the C14 plug type, the use cases of this high-temperature cable are almost exclusively data center environments. This cable would most likely be found supplying a High-Powered Switch power from a rack-mounted PDU power supply source. If your equipment has a IEC320 C16 Inlet it should only be mated with the matching C15-Power Connector.

    Mates with IEC 60320 C16 Inlet

  • IEC 60320 C19 connector

    Connector · IEC 60320

    IEC 60320 C19

    • 20 Amps
    • 125/250V

    On 6 of the cords here (11%)

    The IEC 60320 C19 is a grounded 3 Wire connector rated up to 250V and 20 Amps. The C19 mates with a C20 inlet, and is commonly used in a jumper cable scenario in IT Installations providing power from a PDU to a server, router, switch or other computing device. The C19 is typically used in high powered blade server chassis, large network routers, and other IT equipment that draws more power than a standard C13 can accommodate.

    Mates with IEC 60320 C20 Inlet

About 20A 125V NEMA L5-20P Twist-Lock Power Cords

With 125 Volts and 20 Amps of available power supply, the power cable delivers enough power to supply the majority of small equipment, without requiring an additional load line. Making installation of a receptacle easier if one does not exist. The Locking design of the L520 plug ensures a snug and reliable connection, eliminating worries of accidental disconnections that result in loud arcing, machine down time, and in some cases electrical shock. Safety is paramount to everything, especially when dealing with electrical power. Rest easy knowing that the NEMA L5-20r twist lock comes with a dedicated ground conductor to ensure safety during operation.

General Information

The NEMA L5-20P Power Cord Series is rated up to 125VAC and 20A. The plug can be locked into place on the matching receptacle which prevents nuisance disconnection. This feature makes this plug popular in commercial and industrial settings where high traffic or moving of equipment is common. If you do not require this added locking safety feature, you should look into our NEMA 5-20P Power Cord Series unless your specifically connecting to a L5-20R. Refer with your team to decide which power cord best fits your needs. 

The NEMA L5-20P to Open/Whip/Pig Tail- NACC, North American Color Code, refers to the color code of the conductor insulation which is BLACK / WHITE / GREEN. This cord is for field installation to equipment or device that requires a line, neutral and ground conductor (not exceeding the rated power of the cord) to operate. Standard Whips are Removed Outer Jacket(ROJ) 2" and then each conductor is stripped 1/4" to bare conductor. Other ROJ/Strip combinations are available for bulk quantities upon request.

Choosing the Right NEMA L5-20P Cord for Your Application

Choosing the Right NEMA L5-20P Cord for Your Application

The NEMA L5-20P is a 3-wire, twist-locking plug rated for 125V / 20A. Its circular blade arrangement locks into a matching NEMA L5-20R receptacle with a quarter-turn, preventing accidental disconnection under load — a critical feature in data centers, server rooms, and industrial environments where power loss causes downtime.

Common cord configurations in this collection

  • L5-20P → L5-20R — Extension cords and whips for PDU-to-PDU or PDU-to-equipment runs.
  • L5-20P → C13 — Powers standard 1U servers and networking gear from a twist-lock PDU outlet (14 AWG, 15A rated).
  • L5-20P → C15 — High-temperature variant for switches and equipment with C16 inlets.
  • L5-20P → C19 — Full 20A path for blade chassis, high-density servers, and large routers.
  • L5-20P → Open/Whip — Field-terminated pigtails wired to NACC color code (Black/White/Green), ROJ 2″, stripped ¼″.

Wire gauge matters: 12 AWG SJT cords carry the full 20A rating; 14 AWG SJT cords are derated to 15A and suit C13/C15 terminations. Use the filters above to narrow by connector type, length (1–50 ft), and certification (UL, cUL, RoHS, REACH).

Not sure which configuration fits your rack layout? Use the Power Cord Configurator or call our engineering team at (860) 763-2100.

Related

Current rating

15–20 Amps

Voltage rating

125 volts

Plug (male end)

NEMA L5-20P

Certifications & compliance

  • UL
  • RoHS
  • cUL
  • REACH
  • Every cord we build is hi-pot tested
  • Same-day shipping by 2:30 PM ET
  • NET 30/60/90 for approved accounts
  • In-house engineering and compliance support

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between NEMA L5-20P and NEMA L5-15P?
Both are 125V twist-locking plugs, but they differ in amperage and blade spacing. The NEMA L5-20P is rated for 20 Amps and has wider blade separation, while the NEMA L5-15P is rated for 15 Amps. The two are not interchangeable — an L5-20P plug will not seat in an L5-15R receptacle. Choose the L5-20P when your circuit and equipment are both rated for 20A.
What does the NEMA L5-20P plug mate with?
The NEMA L5-20P (male plug) mates with the NEMA L5-20R receptacle (female). Insert the plug and rotate a quarter-turn to lock; reverse to release. This twist-lock engagement is the defining feature that prevents accidental disconnection in high-traffic or vibration-prone environments such as data centers and industrial facilities.
What wire gauge do NEMA L5-20P cords use, and does it matter?
Wire gauge directly affects the cord's current capacity:12 AWG SJT / SJTOW — rated for the full 20 Amps; used on L5-20P → L5-20R, L5-20P → C19, and open-end whip cords.14 AWG SJT — derated to 15 Amps; used on L5-20P → C13 and L5-20P → C15 cords where the IEC connector limits current to 15A.Always match the cord's AWG rating to your circuit breaker and equipment inlet specifications.
Can I get a custom length or a bulk order of L5-20P cords?
Yes. Standard lengths range from 1 to 50 feet and are available with no minimum order quantity. Custom lengths are hand-terminated at our Connecticut facility. Volume pricing tiers are shown on each product page, and blanket orders with scheduled releases are available for high-volume buyers. Contact sales at (860) 763-2100 for a quote.