A camlock or ''cam-lock'' is an interchangeable electrical connector, often used in temporary electrical power production and distribution, predominantly in North America. Originally a

trade name A trade name, trading name, or business name, is a pseudonym used by companies that do not operate under their registered company name. The term for this type of alternative name is a "fictitious" business name. Registering the fictitious name w ...

as ''Cam-Lok'', it is now a generic term. Each camlock connector carries a single

phase Phase or phases may refer to: Science *State of matter, or phase, one of the distinct forms in which matter can exist *Phase (matter), a region of space throughout which all physical properties are essentially uniform * Phase space, a mathematic ...

pole Pole may refer to: Astronomy *Celestial pole, the projection of the planet Earth's axis of rotation onto the celestial sphere; also applies to the axis of rotation of other planets *Pole star, a visible star that is approximately aligned with the ...

, or conductor; multiple camlock connectors will be used to make a complete electrical supply or circuit. The most common form is the ''16'' series, rated at 400 amperes with 105 °C terminations. Also in common use is the ''15'' series (''mini-cam''), rated at 150 amperes. A larger version is made denoted as the ''17'' series with ratings up to 760 A. A ball nose version and a longer nose standard version exist—the latter is the most common. The early version original connector was hot-vulcanized to the cable body; later versions use dimensional pressure to exclude foreign material from the connector pin area. The tail of the connector insulator body is trimmable to fit the cable outer diameter. Another version is the ''Posi-Lok'', which features keyed, shrouded connectors, and panels with sequencing interlocks. Camlock is generally used where temporary connections of 3-phase and/or more than 50 A are needed. Applications include connecting large temporary generators or

load bank A load bank is a piece of electrical test equipment used to simulate an electrical load, to test an electric power source without connecting it to its normal operating load. During testing, adjustment, calibration, or verification procedures ...

s to distribution panels or building disconnects. Common scenarios include testing, emergencies, temporary special events, and traveling stage shows with large lighting and sound equipment. They are usually found only in professional environments, where connections are performed by qualified personnel.

Color codes

Standards and industry conventions for phase and voltage exist, but may vary in practice, particularly when international companies and traveling productions are involved.

North America

The

National Electric Code The National Electrical Code (NEC), or NFPA 70, is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States. It is part of the National Fire Code series published by the National Fire Prote ...

(NEC) only specifies colors for

ground and neutral Ground and neutral are circuit conductors used in alternating current electrical systems. The ground circuit is connected to earth, and neutral circuit is usually connected to ground. As the neutral point of an electrical supply system is often ...

: Green for the equipment grounding (safety) conductor (NEC Article 250.119), and white or grey for the neutral (grounded) conductor (NEC Article 200.6). These colors may not be used for any other purpose, nor may their purpose use a different color. No other colors are specified by the NEC for general power distribution. Nonetheless, the following conventions exist:

United Kingdom

The UK system has two established camlock colour codes. The old and new colour codes are not compatible: Black was originally used to indicate neutral, and is now a phase colour; blue was used to denote a phase, and is now used to denote neutral. As the use of camlocks in the UK has been declining, it is very unlikely to find any matching the new colour codes.

Gallery

Camlock Mains Outlets.jpg, Four camlock power panels. Each panel has five camlock connectors — three AC phases, plus neutral and ground. Camlock Closeup.jpg, Closeup of camlock AC power connectors. In the US, typically, green is safety ground, white is neutral, and red, blue, and black are "hot" phases. Camloc AC Power Distro.jpg, Distribution rack with camlock connectors at the bottom. The NEMA 5-20R outlets at the top are color coded to match the phase legs of the supply.

References

{{Reflist

Color codes

North America

United Kingdom

Gallery

References

See also