Camlock
Encyclopedia
A camlock, or 'cam' for short is often used in temporary electrical power production / distribution
. It is common in uses where more than 50A
is required or 3 phase connections are in use. Camlocks are used to connect large generators
or building disconnects to either a distribution panel or lighting dimmer
rack. They are usually found only in professional environments.
The color
s correspond to the different functions of the line, and are not arbitrary. Extra caution should be used to verify correct phase in relation to color coordination with foreign companies and equipment in traveling productions. The correct American standard is as follows:
The UK system uses the following colour codes: (as the use of Camlocks have been declining, it is very unlikely to find any matching the new colour codes)
Extra care should be taken when connecting together systems using old and new colour codes, especially as Black was originally used as a neutral colour and is now a phase colour, and blue which used to denote a phase is used as a neutral.
Electricity distribution
File:Electricity grid simple- North America.svg|thumb|380px|right|Simplified diagram of AC electricity distribution from generation stations to consumers...
. It is common in uses where more than 50A
Ampere
The ampere , often shortened to amp, is the SI unit of electric current and is one of the seven SI base units. It is named after André-Marie Ampère , French mathematician and physicist, considered the father of electrodynamics...
is required or 3 phase connections are in use. Camlocks are used to connect large generators
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
or building disconnects to either a distribution panel or lighting dimmer
Dimmer
Dimmers are devices used to vary the brightness of a light. By decreasing or increasing the RMS voltage and, hence, the mean power to the lamp, it is possible to vary the intensity of the light output...
rack. They are usually found only in professional environments.
The color
Color
Color or colour is the visual perceptual property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, green, blue and others. Color derives from the spectrum of light interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities of the light receptors...
s correspond to the different functions of the line, and are not arbitrary. Extra caution should be used to verify correct phase in relation to color coordination with foreign companies and equipment in traveling productions. The correct American standard is as follows:
| Green | Ground |
| White | Neutral |
| Black | Ø 1 |
| Red | Ø 2 |
| Blue | Ø 3 |
| Green | Ground |
| Orange | Ø 1 |
| Yellow | Ø 2 |
| Brown | Ø 3 |
The UK system uses the following colour codes: (as the use of Camlocks have been declining, it is very unlikely to find any matching the new colour codes)
| Colour (Old) | Colour (New) | Use |
| Green | Green | Earth |
| Black | Blue | Neutral |
| Red | Black | L1 |
| Yellow | Brown | L2 |
| Blue | Grey | L3 |
Extra care should be taken when connecting together systems using old and new colour codes, especially as Black was originally used as a neutral colour and is now a phase colour, and blue which used to denote a phase is used as a neutral.