Power connector

A power connector is an electrical connector designed to carry a significant amount of electrical power, usually as DC or low-frequency AC. Some types of RF connector may also carry large amounts of power, but are considered as a separate category. Connectors carrying small amounts of power are known as signal connectors.

Types

mains connectors, principally used for connecting equipment to wall outlets
- in the UK, domestic mains connectors are designed to the BS1363 standard and rated up to 13 amperes.
- in Australia and New Zealand, connectors are designed to AS/NZS 3112. As of 2003 the latest major update is AS/NZS 3112:2000, which mandates insulated pins by 2005.
mains inlet connectors, designed to attach a power cable to an appliance, of which the IEC connector is the most common
battery connectors
terminals
terminal blocks
DC plugs
Personal computer power supply connectors
- four pin hard disk drive (HDD) connectors, also used for powering CD-ROM drives, burners etc
- smaller four pin floppy disk drive (FDD) connectors, also used by some hard drives, and carrying the same power supplies as the HDD connectors
- AT motherboard connectors consisting of two in-line connectors
- ATX motherboard connectors which have now obsoleted the older AT-style connectors
industrial power connectors, of which one of the most common types is
- the IEC 309 (BS4343) so-called "commando" plug and socket.

Travellers' Guide

See also mains for specific countries and external links.

In the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Singapore, which use 230 volts 50 Hz, large plugs with three rectangular pins are used. These plugs are also used in other former British colonies and parts of the Middle East. The two horizontal, insulated pins are live and neutral, while the larger, vertical third pin is the earth connection. Plugs contain interchangeable fuses connected to the live pin, and rated at 2, 3, 5, 10 or 13 amps depending on the amount of current drawn by the appliance.

Most European countries (230 volts, 50 Hz) use plugs with two round pins. Many plugs also have an earth socket which is penetrated by a pin on the outlet. A few households in Europe have 110 volt systems.

North America (115 volts, 60 Hz, 15 A) uses plugs with narrow, flat vertical pins. A third, round or sometimes horizontal, pin is used for earth on many appliances. Appliances requiring more than 1500 watts use different connectors, with standards existing through 480 volts 200 amps.

Australia (230 volts 50Hz, see mains) uses three-pin plugs with similar pins to the North American design, but set at an angle, plus a third longer pin for earth. Two-pin plugs without the earth pin also exist and can plug directly into a three-pin socket where earth is not required. All outlets except shaver sockets but including extension cords must by law have the earth connector. The standard outlet is 10 amps, a compatible 15 amp socket has a larger earth pin so that 10 amp plugs will fit 15 amp sockets but 15 amp plugs fit only 15 amp sockets.

South Africa and the Indian sub-continent use an older system of British derivation, where the majority of plugs have 3 large pins, but other 2 and 3 pin sizes are also used.

It should be noted that some 60Hz appliances will work on 50Hz power but others will not and may even catch fire, as 60Hz allows use of smaller and lighter coils in motors, ballasts and transformers. See inductive reactance. While changing the voltage is relatively easy using a readily available transformer, frequency changers are rarer and more complicated.

Any additions/elaborations/corrections to this list are more than welcome.