PowerCon
Encyclopedia
The PowerCon is an electrical connector
Electrical connector
An electrical connector is an electro-mechanical device for joining electrical circuits as an interface using a mechanical assembly. The connection may be temporary, as for portable equipment, require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two wires or...

 manufactured by Neutrik
Neutrik
Neutrik is a Liechtenstein company which manufactures connectors which are used in audio and video recording studios and concert sound systems. Their product range includes XLR-type connectors, speakON connectors, powerCON connectors, patch bays, BNC connectors and special connectors for industrial...

 for connecting mains power to equipment in a small space. It looks and works similar to the Speakon with the line connector inserted in the chassis connector and twisted to make contact and lock. Both line and chassis connectors are fully insulated even when disconnected.

The original and most common version of the powercon is rated at 20A. It comes in two deliberately incompatible variants to prevent people connecting two mains supplies together. The type A is blue and used for power inlets. The type B is white and used for power outlets. Couplers are available with one chassis socket of each type mounted on the ends of a plastic tube to extend cables.

Later neutrik introduced a larger 32A version of the powercon. Unlike the 20A version the 32A version comes in only one variant which appears to be intended for use as an inlet.

The main advantages of the powerCon are high current capacity in a small space (smaller than an IEC connector
IEC connector
IEC 60320 is a set of international standards specifying non-locking electrical power couplers for the connection of power supply cords to electrical appliance up to 250 V. Couplers described under these standards have standardised current and temperature ratings...

and double the current-carrying capacity) and locking action. The main disadvantages are cost, reliance on a single vendor and the fact that they are not designed to beconnected/disconnected under load (which makes them unsuitable for equipment used by untrained personnel).

In January 2011 Neutrik announced a new variant of the connector called the PowerCon TRUE1. Unlike the traditional PowerCon connectors the new connector is specified for disconnection under load but the current rating is reduced to 16A and it does not appear compatible with traditional PowerCon connectors. Detailed technical data on this connector does not appear to be available yet.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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