Perilex is the trade name for an approved indoor

three-phase electric power Three-phase electric power (abbreviated 3φ) is a common type of alternating current used in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. It is a type of polyphase system employing three wires (or four including an optional neutral ...

connector system used in

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

, the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

and

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

. It has mostly been superseded by the

IEC 60309 IEC 60309 (formerly IEC 309 and CEE 17, also published by CENELEC as EN 60309) is a series of international standards from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for "plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purpo ...

system used throughout Europe. There are two variants, a more common 16 A version and a rarely used 25 A version. The connectors are equipped with protective earth (PE), a neutral conductor (N) and three phase conductors (L1, L2, L3; formerly: R, S, T). As the German industrial standard VDE 0100 prescribed the phase sequence for all types of three-phase connectors in a way incompatible with the original Perilex pinout, the R and T connectors may have been swapped. The PE socket protrudes slightly in order to give PE "first mate, last break" characteristics. In order to distinguish the variants, the 16 A version has a horizontal PE pin, whereas it is vertical in the 25 A variant. In Germany, Perilex connectors have been standardised by DIN. The 16 A version is ''DIN 49445'' (socket) and ''DIN 49446'' (plug) and the 25 A version is ''DIN 49447'' (socket) and ''DIN 49448'' (plug). It replaced an earlier flat 4-pin connector (3 phases and neutral) that was standardized in DIN 49450 / DIN 49451.Bild
metallener Stecker nach DIN 49450 / DIN 49451 Use of the Perilex connectors is usually confined to small businesses (e.g. bakeries, restaurants), medical facilities (hospitals, laboratories) and homes, where it has the advantage of a smaller form factor and better cleanability. However, at construction sites and industrial facilities, the IEC connectors are preferred due to their better robustness and due to being approved for medium-term outdoor use. Furthermore, it is unwise to connect three-phase electrical motors to Perilex sockets due to the aforementioned ambiguity regarding the phase sequence. Since 1 January 1975, the use of the Perilex system has been outlawed in Germany for new industrial installations but continues to be legal in homes, hospitals and small businesses. However, even there, it is being superseded by the

system used throughout Europe.{{Citation needed, reason=Perilex is still the standard connector for electric stoves in Sweden, date=August 2013 A conceptually similar (but incompatible) plug exists in Switzerland as

SN 441011 SN 441011, until 2019 SEV 1011, is the Swiss national standard for AC power plug for domestic use and similar purposes. The plug ''SN 441011 Type 12'' and the socket ''SN 441011 Type 13'' are also known internationally as Type J. Details Th ...

type 15 (10 A) and type 25 (16 A). In France, instead of Perilex, NF C 61-315 was used. NF C 61-315 provides single & multiple phases for rating up to 32 A. Several plug & socket profiles exist to match the phases number and the various rating. But NF C 61-315 is being replaced by

for outdoor use or direct attach for home use (mainly oven plugs).

References

Mains power connectors