Difference Between NEMA 14-50 and 6-50 EV Charging Plugs

If you are purchasing a charging outlet for your new Tesla car, you might choose not to opt for level 1 charging like your usual wall outlet. You might be advised to settle for the faster level 2 outlets to help charge your electric vehicle in your garage. If you decide to go for a level 2 charger outlet for your electric vehicle, you will be torn between the NEMA 14 50 and the 6 50.

ProductBrandNamePrice
ChargePointChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) 6-50 ChargerCheck Price on Amazon
ChargePointChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) 14-50 ChargerCheck Price on Amazon

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These are two of the common variants of EV chargers that manufacturers have chosen to model their chargers after. In terms of the plug, you either get a NEMA 14 50 or the newer 6 50 outlet. While they are both level 2 chargers, there are some pros and cons between them. This has led to people debating on the NEMA 14 50 and the 6 50. This review looks to examine all of that.

14-50 vs 6-50

The NEMA 6 50 charging station

The NEMA 6 50 charging plug is known to come with two straight hot prongs which run parallel to each other as well vs the horseshoe-shaped ground prong. However, the hot prongs which comes with the 6 50 come in various widths while the large prong is in the right. The NEMA 6 50 plug is used to connect to your 250 volt 50 amp electrical circuit to charge your car. The neutral wire is used for grounding.

However, this 50 amps electrical circuit usually works with either the 8 gauge or the bigger wires. The 50 comes with a round face which comes with a measurement of 2-1/8 inches across. This is used to mount to the standard wall outlet of the electrical box. Certain appliances such as electric welders that come with the 3 horsepower rating are able to connect to the power source by using the 6 50. This is good for arc welders.

The NEMA 14 50 EVSE charging station

The 14 50 mobile charger plug comes with a four wire grounding system which can be gotten in ratings from 15A to 60A. This option comes with a voltage rating of about 250 V. This wire outlet comes with a rating of 50 A as well as a straight neutral wire. This neutral wire is used for grounding. When installing this EVSE unit in your garage, you will need to consult an electrician to install the wires the proper way. You will need a 240V outlet with a 50 amp circuit amp breaker. This setting will be able to charge your Tesla Model 3 at about 30 miles per hour. If you install this units on your wall, you get a 50% faster charging rate.

Head to head: The 14 50 vs the 6 50

While the NEMA 14 50 starter plug has been in existence more than the 6 50, Tesla has stopped the shipping of their new vehicles with the 14 50 adapters. This means that opposed to the 6 50, the 14 50 is no longer the ideal charger receptacle for your electric vehicles to install in the house.

The NEMA 6 50 starter plug is now preferred over the 14 50 because of certain benefits that the 6 50 receptacle has over the 14 50. For instance, in the installation of the 6 50, you will not be needing an extra wire which is an additional cost for anyone. However, when installing the 14 50, you will need one more extra wire for this connector.

Then for the 6 50 there is a difference in the cable as you get a smaller cable diameter and which is more flexible in structure unlike the 14 50. Furthermore, compared to the 14 50, the 650 is very easy to install. In terms of the cost of the receptacles, it appears that the 650 receptacle is less expensive when compared to the price of the 14 50 receptacle. This is one thing that Tesla owners need to consider if they wish to get a decent installation experience.

Still on the installation of the 6 50, you will need a lesser amount of wires for your wall breaker box which makes it quite easy to install. Unlike the 14 50 that needs a bunch of wires to complete its installation. With the analysis of the difference of the 6 50 from the 50, it looks like the 6 50 is a more improved version of the 50.

The NEMA 14 50 is still widely used in a lot of chargers because it is still currently the ideal level 2 charger plug for the Tesla charging station. This means that the 14 50 is likely to stay on for a while. Then the NEMA 14 50 comes with certain disadvantages over the 6 50. One of this is long term use, as it looks like EVSEs of the future will not be having the 6 50 receptacle alternative. However, we have j1772 EVSE chargers which currently use the 6 50 right now.

While the 14 50 receptacle can be used on an RV, the 6 50 receptacle is not something that you get to use on your RV. Then again, one good advantage of the 14 50 adapter connector from Tesla rather than buying the 6 50 means that you get to use this 14 50 adapter connector elsewhere apart from home charging. You could use the adapter when on the road. Moreover, it appears that the 14 50 adapter is more common than the 6 50 option.

In terms of flexibility, the 14 50 circuit for homes look more flexible than the 6 50. The 14 50 plugs are a standard adapter that is shipped along with your Tesla Model 3. Then again, one reason we prefer the 14 50 over the 6 50, is the fact that it comes with the neutral wire function, which allows you to use one and the same plug for different other functions. Furthermore, you will love the fact that you get to split up the 14 50 plug into two high current 120V outlets with the use of a simple adapter. However, this is not possible for the 6 50 as it only works with the 240V. The 14 50 plug comes with a higher installation cost, this is the choice users will have to face when they choose the 14 50 choice.

The differences between the NEMA 14 50 and the NEMA 6 50

1). ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) 14-50 Charger

This is a level 2 charger for the Tesla and comes with a current rating of between 16 amps and 50 amps. This charger comes with a power rating of 240V. This is a level 2 WI Fi enabled EVSE that is UL Listed. Its energy star rating ensures that it is useful in saving energy. One thing about this ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle plugs is that you get to use the NEMA 14 50 plug option or you choose the Hardwired version. It is best used for both outdoors and indoors for most appliances. This option comes with a 23 feet cable to help charge any car regardless of its distance from the garage.

This is a level 2 charger that can handle any load, therefore you should expect faster and shorter charging times for your vehicles. This version is among the most flexible, fastest, and newest level 2 EVSE device. It is able to offer about 37 miles of range per hour to your electrical vehicle. This charger will let you choose the charging speed plus the correct wire current that you need. This is used to protect both your garage electrical wire panel and your electric vehicle.

The Chargepoint comes with an app that is used to simplify your charging by being able to schedule your charging. You will also get reminders to help you plug in. This version of the EVSE can best be installed with the use of an electrician and can be installed either outdoors or indoors. The device comes with the standard 25 feet charging cable which works well with any wire length.

This version will work with any given electric car and safety is guaranteed because it is a UL listed device. You get to save energy on this device because it comes with an Energy star for efficiency and comes with a three-year warranty with an all round customer support to help you protect your investment.

During the installation of this ChargePoint Home Flex, you get to call an electrician to help with the installation. Furthermore, you would be needing a dedicated 240V circuit to come with a non-GCFI breaker. In terms of the plug type, you could choose between the normal plug in or hardwire option for this home garage adapter. If you will be choosing the plug-in installation option, you will be needing the circuits that are rated at 40 amp or 50 amp.

For every other circuit rating, you could take out the plug and choose the hardwire installation method. If you would be using this option outdoors you will either be needing a weatherproof receptacle or a hardwired installation. The moment that you adapter has been installed, you are now able to use the application from your ChargePoint to activate the station and choose the right speed for charging your device.


2). ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) 6-50 Charger

This ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger is the NEMA 6-50 option of the level 2 EVSE charger. This is UL listed and WI FI enabled EVSE that comes with an energy star rating. The wire of this EVSE comes in such a manner that you could hardwire it or you get to use the plug option. Since this is a plug adapter, it can be used both indoors and outdoors for the perfect charging. This option also comes with a 23 feet cable.

This is a 240-volt level 2 charger plugs which is useful for any electric vehicle (EV) charging station and has the ability to charge any vehicle about 9 times faster than the unusual wall outlet. It comes with flexible amperage settings for about around 50 amp (16 amp to 50 amps). With this EVSE, you get to choose between the hardwired or the plug in option. This EVSE wall connector comes with apps that allows you to select the right current for your home after you might have installed it.

One thing about this option, is the fact that you need a professional electrician to get it installed and have its wire fixed all the way right. The plug and the wire comes with a systematic manner of installation that if handled poorly can become dangerous. This version of the ChargePoint Home Flex works well with all electrical vehicles. It has been tested on some of the best EV cars: Chevrolet Volt, the Bolt EV, the Hyundai Kona, the Ioniq, the Kia NIRO, the Nissan LEAF, the Tesla Model S, the Toyota Prius Prime, the BMW i3, the Honda Clarity, the Chrysler Pacifica, the Jaguar I-PACE, and so on

This EVSE actually charges smarter and faster when used along with the ChargePoint apps. You can set a schedule to use this at the times that you have the cheapest electricity. You get to set reminders for charging to ensure that you do not get to plug in. You only get to use the Alexa voice control and see that you have all the ChargePoint information that you need in a single location.

This device is reliable and safe and is supported with the best customer support. You would typically need an electrician to install it the right way. This EVSE is UL listed for electrical safety, and the ENERGY STAR is certified for efficiency.

This device can be easily installed by any electrician either outdoors or indoors. This comes with either the hardwired or the plug type installation. It would need circuits that are rated at 40A or 50A. If you were going other circuit ratings like the 60A – 80A for the 48A -50A charging, then you will need to easily remove the plug to give it the hardwired installation. You will need to choose the best current that works best for you and your home. This will only help you avoid electrical upgrades to your plugs.


ProductBrandNamePrice
ChargePointChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) 6-50 ChargerCheck Price on Amazon
ChargePointChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) 14-50 ChargerCheck Price on Amazon

* Links in this table contain affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase. Thank you for your support. For more details, please visit our Privacy policy page.