IEC 60309

Two IEC-60309-style plugs insertedinto wall-mounted sockets

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IEC 60309 (formerly IEC 309, also published by CENELEC as EN 60309) is aninternational standard from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for"plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes". The highest voltageallowed by the standard is 690 V DC or AC; the highest current, 125 A; and thehighest frequency, 500 Hz. The temperature range is 25 C to 40 C.[1]

There is a range of plugs and sockets of different sizes with differing numbers of pins,depending on the current supplied and number of phases accommodated. The fittingsalso include limited (IP44) weather-proofing, that is one reason for choosing thesefittings when the connections will be used in open-air conditions; a further reason forusing these (other than when the heavy-current or three-phase facilities are actuallyneeded), is to deter potential users from connecting domestic appliances to thesockets, as 'normal' domestic plug-tops will not fit.

The cable connectors and sockets are colour-coded, according to the voltage rangeand frequency used; for example, common colours are yellow for 100130 volts and5060 Hz, blue for 200250 volts and 5060 Hz, and red for 400480 volts and 5060 Hz. Color codes depend on the highest, phase-to-phase, voltage. In addition to the colour-coding the voltage andfrequency are encoded by the keyway position. The blue fittings are often used for providing weather-proofed exteriorsockets for outdoor apparatus. The yellow fittings are used to provide transformer isolated 110 V supplies for UK constructionsites to reduce the risk of electric shock and this use spills over into uses of power tools outside of the construction siteenvironment. In camping situations, the large 32 A blue fittings provide power to static caravans, whilst the smaller blue 16 Aversion powers touring caravans and tents. The red three-phase versions are used for three-phase portable equipment.

Contents [hide] 1 Standardization2 Colour identification3 Keying4 Pilot contact5 Common plugs

5.1 Red 3P+N+E, 6h5.2 Blue P+N+E, 6h5.3 Yellow P+N+E, 4h5.4 Blue 3P+N+E, 9h

6 See also7 References8 External links

Standardization [edit]IEC 60309-1 specifies general functional and safety requirements for any form of industrial high-current power connector.[2]

IEC 60309-2 specifies a range of mains power connectors with circular housings, and different numbers and arrangements ofpins for different applications. IEC 60309-3 dealt with connectors for use in explosive gas environments, but was withdrawn in1998.[3]

The standardization was originally done by the CEE (Commission internationale de rglementation en vue de l'approbation del'quipement lectrique), being a European certification body that became the IECEE in 1985 (International Commission onthe Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment) as part of the IEC. It is the same standardization body that had alsocatered for the home AC plugs in the "CEE 7" series (CEE 7/4 alias German Schuko, CEE 7/5 French and CEE 7/7French/German hybrid plug, and later the CEE7/16 Europlug). The industrial sockets were standardized in the 1960s in theCEE 17 series that was adopted in the UK as BS 4343 and which were later to become the IEC 60309 standard.[4]

IEC 60309-4 concerns switched socket-outlets and connector interlocks. In the United Kingdom, this standard was firstadopted as BS 4343:1968 and has since been replaced by its European equivalent BS EN 60309-4.[5] In the UK these plugs

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Cables with 3P+N+E connectors

32 A 400 V 3P+N+E 6h(180) plug

are often referred to as caravan, Commando (a brand name used by MK Electric), CEE industrial, CEEform or simply CEEplugs.

Colour identification [edit]The colour of an IEC 60309 plug or socket indicates its voltage and frequency rating.The most widespread colours are yellow (125 V), blue (250 V), and red (400 V). Theblack version (500 V) can often be found on ships.

Characteristic ColourEarth pin(o'clock)

Note(s)

100130 V Yellow 4 [note 1]

120/240 V Orange 12 [note 2][note 3]

200250 V Blue 6 [note 4]

120250 V Blue 9 [note 5]

50250 V DC White 3

>250 V DC White 8

277 V 60 Hz only Grey 5 [note 4][note 2]

380 V 50 Hz only Red 3 [note 5][note 6]

380480 V Red 6 [note 5]

380480 V Red 11 [note 7]

380415 V Red 9 [note 4]

440 V 60 Hz only Red 3 [note 5][note 6]

480500 V Black 7 [note 5]

500680 V Black 5 [note 5]

100300 Hz Green 10 [note 8][note 6]

300500 Hz Green 2 [note 9][note 6]

Any of the above Grey 12 [note 10]

None of the above Grey 1 [note 11]

Notes

1. ^ Single phase voltage or three phase line voltage (phase-phase) including supplies from an isolating transformer.2. ^a b For countries only where Series II current ratings (20, 30, 60, 100 amps) are used.3. ^ North American 120/240 V single-phase system. Four pin (2P+N+E) connector only.4. ^a b c Single phase.5. ^a b c d e f Three phase line voltage (phase-phase).6. ^a b c d Only available in 16 and 32 Amp sizes.7. ^ Three phase line voltage (phase-phase) at 60 Hz only.8. ^ Greater than 50 volts three phase line voltage (phase-phase). Not available in single phase version.9. ^ Greater than 50 volts single phase or three phase line voltage (phase-phase).

10. ^ Single and 3 phase (3P+E only) supplied from an isolating transformer (except for yellow plug supplies).11. ^ Most frequently used for low voltage supplies that do not fall into any of the specified ranges.All AC systems are either 50 or 60 Hz unless otherwise stated.All three phase plugs and socket are available in 3P+E or 3P+N+E (but see Note 7).

Keying [edit]IEC 60309-2 connectors are produced in many variants, designed so that a plug of one typecan only be inserted into a socket of the same type. Different current ratings (such as 16 A,32 A, 63 A and 125 A) are distinguished by different diameters of the circular housing.

Different voltage and frequency combinations are distinguished by the location of the groundpin (or a plastic projection called the minor keyway, for connectors with no ground pin), asshown in the following table. The ground pin can be in one of twelve locations spaced at 30intervals around the circle on which all the pins lie. The various positions are referenced fromthe view of the open side of a socket; the 6 o'clock (180) position is at the same angle as themajor keyway, and is oriented downwards. The major keyway is a projection on the plugcasing that aligns with a notch on the socket. The ground pin has a larger diameter than theother pins, preventing the wrong type of plug being inserted in a socket.

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Mated 16 A plug andwall-mounted socket

63 A plug with pilot contact

400 V phase swap plug

Groundpin

location

Pin configuration (P: power, N: neutral, E: earth or ground)

P+N+E, 2P+E 3P+E 3P+N+E

60 / 2h>50 V 300500 Hz greenhousing

>50 V 300500 Hz greenhousing

>50 V 300500 Hz greenhousing

90 / 3h 50250 V DC380 V 50 Hz440 V 60 Hz red housing

220/380 V 50 Hz250/440 V 60 Hzred housing

120 / 4h100130 V AC yellowhousing

100130 V AC yellowhousing

5775/100130 V AC yellowhousing

150 / 5h 277 V 60 Hz grey housing600690 V AC blackhousing

347400/600690 V AC blackhousing

180 / 6h200250 V AC bluehousing

380415 V AC redhousing

200240/346415 V AC redhousing

210 / 7h480500 V AC blackhousing

480500 V AC blackhousing

277288/480500 V AC blackhousing

240 / 8h 250 V DC

270 / 9h380415 V AC redhousing

200250 V AC bluehousing

120144/208250 V AC bluehousing

300 /10h

>50 V, 100300 Hz greenhousing

330 /11h

440460 V 60 Hz redhousing

250265/440460 V 60 Hz,red housing

360 /12h

125/250 Vsingle phase (2P+N+E)orange housing

A six-pole plus earth (6P+E) version also exists. This is commonly used for star-delta starting of three-phase motors.

Pilot contact [edit]Connectors rated at 63 A and 125 A may optionally be equipped with a pilot contact.This smaller pin in the centre of the connector is designed to 'make' after all the otherpins when connecting a plug and socket, and to 'break' first when disconnecting. It isused to control the supply of power at the source. This is useful as disconnectingunder load will cause arcing which may cause damage to both the plug and socket,and risk injury to the user.

Common plugs [edit]The most common plug types are:

CEE yellow 2P+ECEE blue 2P+ECEE yellow 3P+ECEE blue 3P+ECEE red 3P+N+E

The colour of the casing refers to the regional electric power distribution at:

110/120 Volt = yellow230/240 Volt = blue400 Volt = red.

Red 3P+N+E, 6h [edit]The red 3P+N+E, 6h (180) plug allows to connection to the widespread 400 V three phase power network. The most commonratings are 16 A, 32 A and 63 A, with 125 A and 200 A less common. Construction sites in central Europe have most of theirhigher power cabling setup with this three phase socket type as the single phase to neutral voltage of 230 V is available forother devices. So called power splitters with this connector as a 3 phase inlet and 3 groups of single phase outputs withindividual circuit breakers are generally used to achieve this, and allow load balancing across the phases, important ongenerator supplies. Similar configurations are used for outdoor exhibitions, festivals and large events.

The five pins are positioned in a circle with the ground connector E to be thicker and longer than the network pins. When

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16 A 230 V P+N+E 6h plug

16 A 240 V 3P+E+N 9hplug and socket

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looking at the socket, the phase sequence should be L1, L2, L3. Since some wiring may be reversed, which could makemotors turn backward, many machines on construction sites feature a phase swap plug that allows to swap two pins and soreverse the phase sequence.

Three-phase electric motors do not need the neutral wire to function, so that there is also a Red four pin variant (3 phasesand earth) of the IEC 60309 plugs for three phase power. The two styles are not intermatable, to prevent a potental floatingneutral.

Blue P+N+E, 6h [edit]The blue P+N+E, 6h (180) plug is a single phase connector. In particular the smallest (16 A)variant has become especially common in camping vehicles and sockets found in caravanparks and marinas throughout Europe. The so-called 'Caravan Mains Socket' has almostuniversally replaced a wide variety of other national 230 V domestic plugs since they are pan-European and inherently safe to standard IP44. On larger temporary buildings, particularlywith electric heating the larger 32 A is more common. It should be noted that not all suchinstallations distinguish the live (phase) and neutral conductors, and reverse wired socketsare quite common, so double pole breaking RCDs and main switches are recommended.When sockets are mounted looking downwards then the connector system is rated for outdooruse in all weather. This is also the standard connector for lighting equipment (up to 16 A) used in the British film and televisionindustry. (often as outlets from a power splitter with a higher rated 3 phase input)

Yellow P+N+E, 4h [edit]The yellow P+N+E, 4h (120) plug is a single phase connector that is in widespread use on the British Isles for 110 V buildingsite and fairground applications. A popular model if this socket type is marketed under the brand name MK Commando whichleads to all IEC 60309 sockets to be (incorrectly) referred to as Commando sockets in some descriptions.

Blue 3P+N+E, 9h [edit]The blue 3P+N+E, 9h (270) plug is a three phase connector available in areas with both 110V and 240 V supply systems (mains). It is prevalent in the outdoor event lighting and audiopower industry as an outdoor-safe replacement for NEMA-connectors. In the United States it isnot usually used for three phase power but for the high leg delta wiring of split-phase electricpower (unknown in Europe). This allows one to choose single-phase AC power at either 110120 volts between phase and neutral or 220240 volts between phase and phase. Sincethese two modes do not need three phases there is also a yellow four-pin connector availabledesigned for a single-phase 110120 or 220240-volt load.

See also [edit]Industrial and multiphase power plugs and socketsPerilex, obsolescent DIN connector

References [edit]1. ^ Scope section 1, International Standard 60309-1 edition 4.1 Part 1 General Requirements , 2005, International Electrotechnical

Commission, page 132. ^ BS EN 60309-1, IEC 60309-1: "Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes. General requirements." (1999/2012)3. ^ BS EN 60309-2, IEC 60309-2: "Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes. Dimensional interchangeability

requirements for pin and contact-tube accessories." (1999/2012)4. ^ "General Introduction of CEE plugs and receptacles" . Rey & Lenferna. MENNEKES industrial plugs and receptacles.

Retrieved 2011-09-03. "History: CEE plugs and sockets base on the CEE 17 standard (also BS 4343) which was introduced in the1960s and that later led to the IEC 60309 standard."

5. ^ BS EN 60309-4: "Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes. Switched socket-outlets and connectors with orwithout interlock." (2007/2012)

External links [edit]IEC 60309 - IEC Webstore

Categories: Electrical power connectors IEC standards

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