powerCON is an
electrical
Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter that has a property of electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by ...
connector manufactured by
Neutrik
Neutrik is a Liechtensteiner company that manufactures connectors used in audio and video recording studios and concert sound systems. Its product range includes XLR-type connectors, speakON connectors, powerCON connectors, etherCON connector ...
for connecting
mains power
Mains electricity or utility power, power grid, domestic power, and wall power, or in some parts of Canada as hydro, is a general-purpose alternating-current (AC) electric power supply. It is the form of electrical power that is delivered to ...
to equipment in a small space. It looks and works similarly to the
Speakon
The Speakon (stylized speakON) is a trademarked name for an electrical connector, originally manufactured by Neutrik, mostly used in professional audio systems for connecting loudspeakers to amplifiers. Other manufacturers make compatible prod ...
connector, 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 . It comes in two deliberately incompatible variants to prevent people connecting two mains supplies together. The is blue and used for power sources (power flows out of a blue-ended cable, into a chassis socket). The is grey and used for power drains (power flows from a chassis socket into a grey-ended cable). 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 version of the powerCON. Unlike the version, the version comes in only one variant which appears to be intended for use as a source.
The main advantages of the powerCON are high current capacity in a small space (smaller than an
IEC connector and double the current-carrying capacity) and locking action. The main disadvantages are cost and reliance on a single vendor. Older models are not designed to be connected/disconnected under load (which makes them unsuitable for equipment used by untrained personnel).
At the end of 2020, Neutrik released a re-designed version of the original PowerCON which is capable of connecting/disconnecting under load when mated with the corresponding connectors. Cable connectors with breaking capacity are recognizable due to the '-1' in their article number like NAC3FCA-1. Appliance connectors are recognizable due to the 'XX' added in their article number like NAC3MPXXA.
In January 2011, Neutrik announced a new variant of the connector called the . Unlike the traditional powerCON connectors, the new connector is specified with breaking capacity, meaning it is designed for disconnection under load The maximum current rating for the TRUE1 connector is reduced to and it is not compatible with traditional powerCON connectors. The connectors are
IP65
The IP code or ingress protection code indicates how well a device is protected against water and dust. It defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) under the international standard IEC 60529 which classifies and p ...
and
UL50E rated when mated (connected) together, meaning that they are designed to be used in outdoor environments with a heavy dust and/or water presence.
References
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Mains power connectors