IEC 60309
Encyclopedia
IEC 60309 is an international standard
from the International Electrotechnical Commission
for "plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes". The highest voltage
allowed by the standard is DC
or AC
; the highest current, ; and the highest frequency
, . The temperature range is to .
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 fittings also include limited (IP44) weather-proofing, that is one reason for choosing these fittings when the connections will be used in open-air conditions; a further reason for using these (other than when the heavy-current or three-phase facilities are actually needed), is to deter potential users from connecting domestic appliances to the sockets, as 'normal' domestic plug-tops will not fit thereby deterring unauthorised use.
The cable connectors and sockets are colour-coded, according to the voltage range and frequency used; for example, common colours are yellow for 100–130 volts and 50–60 Hz, blue for 200–250 volts and 50–60 Hz, and red for 400–480 volts and 50–60 Hz. Color codes depend on the highest, phase-to-phase, voltage. In addition to the colour coding the voltage and frequency are encoded by the keyway position. The blue fittings are often used for providing weather-proofed exterior sockets for outdoor apparatus. The yellow fittings are used to provide transformer isolated 110 V supplies for UK construction sites to reduce the risk of electric shock and this use spills over into uses of power tools outside of the construction site environment. In camping situations, the large 32-amp blue fittings provide power to static caravans, whilst the smaller blue 16-amp version powers touring caravans and tents. The red three-phase versions are used for three-phase portable equipment.
s with circular housings, and different numbers and arrangements of pins for different applications. IEC 60309-3 dealt with connectors for use in explosive gas environments, but was withdrawn in 1998.
The standardization was originally done by the CEE (Commission internationale de réglementation en vue de l'approbation de l'équipement électrique), being a European certification body that became the IECEE in 1985 (International Commission on the Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment) as part of the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC). It is the same standardization body that had also catered for the home AC plugs in the "CEE 7" series (CEE 7/4 alias German Schuko
, CEE 7/5 French and CEE 7/7 French/German hybrid plug, and later the CEE7/15 Europlug
). The industrial sockets were standardized in the 1960s in the CEE 17 series that was adopted in the UK as BS 4343 and which were later to become the IEC 60309 standard.
IEC 60309-4 concerns switched socket-outlets and connector interlocks. In the United Kingdom
, this standard was first adopted as BS 4343:1968 and has since been replaced by its European equivalent EN 60309:1999, catalogued in the BSI system as BS EN 60309:1999. In the UK these plugs are often referred to as caravan, Commando (a brand name used by MK Electric
), CEE industrial, CEEform or simply CEE plugs.
For higher frequencies beyond 60 Hz (up to 500 Hz) green connectors are used. For any other voltage and frequency a grey housing is used. This makes for the following colour coding:
Different voltage and frequency combinations are distinguished by the location of the ground pin (or a plastic projection called the minor keyway, for connectors with no ground pin), as shown in the following table. The ground pin can be in one of twelve locations spaced at 30° intervals around the circle on which all the pins lie. The various positions are referenced from the view of the open side of a socket; the 6 o'clock (180°) position is at the same angle as the major keyway, and is oriented downwards. The major keyway is a projection on the plug casing that aligns with a notch on the socket. The ground pin has a larger diameter than the other pins, preventing the wrong type of plug being inserted in a socket.
at either 110/120 Volt = yellow, 230/240 Volt = blue or 400 Volt = red.
The five pins are positioned in a circle with the ground connector E to be thicker and longer than the network pins. When looking at the socket, the phase sequence should be L1, L2, L3. Since some wiring may be reversed, which could make motors turn backward, many machines on construction sites feature a phase swap plug that allows to swap two pins and so reverse the phase sequence.
Three-phase electric motors do not need the neutral wire to function, so that there is also a four pin variant (3 phases and earth) of the IEC 60309 plugs for three phase power.
The blue P+N+E, 6h (180°) plug is a single phase connector that is especially common in camping vehicles and sockets found in caravan parks and marinas throughout Europe. The Caravan Mains Socket has almost universally replaced other 230 V domestic plugs since they are inherently safe to standard IP44. When sockets are mounted looking downwards then the connector system is rated IP53 for outdoor use in all weather. This plug is also the standard connector for lighting equipment (up to 16A) used in the British film and television industry.
wiring of split-phase electric power (unknown in Europe). This allows one to choose single-phase AC power at either 110–120 volts between phase and neutral or 220–240 volts between phase and phase. Since these two modes do not need three phases there is a non-standard yellow four-pin connector available designed for a single-phase 110–120- or 220–240-volt load.
International standard
International standards are standards developed by international standards organizations. International standards are available for consideration and use, worldwide...
from the International Electrotechnical Commission
International Electrotechnical Commission
The International Electrotechnical Commission is a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology"...
for "plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes". The highest voltage
Voltage
Voltage, otherwise known as electrical potential difference or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points...
allowed by the standard is DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
or AC
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
; the highest current, ; and the highest frequency
Frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency...
, . The temperature range is to .
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 fittings also include limited (IP44) weather-proofing, that is one reason for choosing these fittings when the connections will be used in open-air conditions; a further reason for using these (other than when the heavy-current or three-phase facilities are actually needed), is to deter potential users from connecting domestic appliances to the sockets, as 'normal' domestic plug-tops will not fit thereby deterring unauthorised use.
The cable connectors and sockets are colour-coded, according to the voltage range and frequency used; for example, common colours are yellow for 100–130 volts and 50–60 Hz, blue for 200–250 volts and 50–60 Hz, and red for 400–480 volts and 50–60 Hz. Color codes depend on the highest, phase-to-phase, voltage. In addition to the colour coding the voltage and frequency are encoded by the keyway position. The blue fittings are often used for providing weather-proofed exterior sockets for outdoor apparatus. The yellow fittings are used to provide transformer isolated 110 V supplies for UK construction sites to reduce the risk of electric shock and this use spills over into uses of power tools outside of the construction site environment. In camping situations, the large 32-amp blue fittings provide power to static caravans, whilst the smaller blue 16-amp version powers touring caravans and tents. The red three-phase versions are used for three-phase portable equipment.
Standardization
IEC 60309-1 specifies general functional and safety requirements for any form of industrial high-current power connector. IEC 60309-2 specifies a range of mains power connectorPower connector
Power connector may refer to:* AC power plugs and sockets* Industrial power plug* DC connector* Blade connector, commonly found in cars for quick connection of wiring to electrical components* IEC 60309 , so-called "Commando" plug and socket...
s with circular housings, and different numbers and arrangements of pins for different applications. IEC 60309-3 dealt with connectors for use in explosive gas environments, but was withdrawn in 1998.
The standardization was originally done by the CEE (Commission internationale de réglementation en vue de l'approbation de l'équipement électrique), being a European certification body that became the IECEE in 1985 (International Commission on the Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment) as part of the International Electrotechnical Commission
International Electrotechnical Commission
The International Electrotechnical Commission is a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology"...
(IEC). It is the same standardization body that had also catered for the home AC plugs in the "CEE 7" series (CEE 7/4 alias German Schuko
Schuko
"Schuko" is the colloquial name for a system of AC power plugs and sockets that is defined as "CEE 7/4". A Schuko plug features two round pins of 4.8 mm diameter for the live and neutral contacts, plus two flat contact areas on the top and bottom side of the plug for protective earth...
, CEE 7/5 French and CEE 7/7 French/German hybrid plug, and later the CEE7/15 Europlug
Europlug
The Europlug is a flat, two-pole domestic AC power plug that is generally supplied moulded on the end of an appliance's flex or a power cord, designed for voltages up to 250 V and currents up to 2.5 A...
). The industrial sockets were standardized in the 1960s in the CEE 17 series that was adopted in the UK as BS 4343 and which were later to become the IEC 60309 standard.
IEC 60309-4 concerns switched socket-outlets and connector interlocks. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, this standard was first adopted as BS 4343:1968 and has since been replaced by its European equivalent EN 60309:1999, catalogued in the BSI system as BS EN 60309:1999. In the UK these plugs are often referred to as caravan, Commando (a brand name used by MK Electric
MK electric
MK Electric is a company that makes electrical accessories. The company's headquarters are in Basildon, Essex, England, from where it makes and sells goods worldwide.-History:...
), CEE industrial, CEEform or simply CEE plugs.
Colour Identification
IEC 60309 plugs and sockets are identified by colour. The national mains power around the world are almost always based on a frequency of or , so the colour coding refers to the voltage. Effectively the most widespread colour codes are yellow 110 V, blue 230 V and red 400 V. The black 500 V colour code can often be found on ships.For higher frequencies beyond 60 Hz (up to 500 Hz) green connectors are used. For any other voltage and frequency a grey housing is used. This makes for the following colour coding:
| Voltage range | Frequency range | Colour code |
|---|---|---|
| 50/60 Hz | Purple | |
| 50/60 Hz | White | |
| 50/60 Hz | Yellow | |
| 50/60 Hz | Blue | |
| 50/60 Hz | Red | |
| 50/60 Hz | Black | |
| - | Green | |
| None of the above | Grey | |
Keying
IEC 60309-2 connectors are produced in many variants, designed so that a plug of one type can 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 ground pin (or a plastic projection called the minor keyway, for connectors with no ground pin), as shown in the following table. The ground pin can be in one of twelve locations spaced at 30° intervals around the circle on which all the pins lie. The various positions are referenced from the view of the open side of a socket; the 6 o'clock (180°) position is at the same angle as the major keyway, and is oriented downwards. The major keyway is a projection on the plug casing that aligns with a notch on the socket. The ground pin has a larger diameter than the other pins, preventing the wrong type of plug being inserted in a socket.
| Ground pin 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 300–500 Hz green housing | >50 V 300–500 Hz green housing | >50 V 300–500 Hz green housing |
| 90° / 3h | 50–250 V DC | 380 V 50 Hz 440 V 60 Hz |
220/380 V 50 Hz 250/440 V 60 Hz |
| 120° / 4h | 100–130 V AC yellow housing | 100–130 V AC yellow housing | 57–75/100–130 V AC yellow housing |
| 150° / 5h | 277 V 60 Hz | 600–690 V AC black housing | 347–400/600–690 V AC black housing |
| 180° / 6h | 200–250 V AC blue housing | 380–415 V AC red housing | 200–240/346–415 V AC red housing |
| 210° / 7h | 480–500 V AC black housing | 480–500 V AC black housing | 277–288/480–500 V AC black housing |
| 240° / 8h | 250 V DC | ||
| 270° / 9h | 380–415 V AC red housing | 200–250 V AC blue housing | 120–144/208–250 V AC blue housing |
| 300° / 10h | >50 V, 100–300 Hz green housing | ||
| 330° / 11h | 440–460 V 60 Hz red housing | 250–265/440—460 V 60 Hz, red housing |
- A six-phase plus earth (6P+E) version also exists.
Common plugs
The most common plug types are CEE yellow 2P+E, CEE blue 2P+E, CEE yellow 3P+E, CEE blue 3P+E and CEE red 3P+N+E. The colour of the casing refers to the regional electric power distributionElectric power distribution
File:Electricity grid simple- North America.svg|thumb|380px|right|Simplified diagram of AC electricity distribution from generation stations to consumers...
at either 110/120 Volt = yellow, 230/240 Volt = blue or 400 Volt = red.
3P+N+E, 6h
The red 3P+N+E, 6h (180°) plug is the most common connector as it allows to connect to the widespread 400 V three phase power network. The most common ratings are 16 A, 32 A and 63 A, with 125 A and 200 A less common. Construction sites in central Europe have most of their cabling setup with this three phase socket type as the single phase to neutral voltage is 230 V usable for other devices.The five pins are positioned in a circle with the ground connector E to be thicker and longer than the network pins. When looking at the socket, the phase sequence should be L1, L2, L3. Since some wiring may be reversed, which could make motors turn backward, many machines on construction sites feature a phase swap plug that allows to swap two pins and so reverse the phase sequence.
Three-phase electric motors do not need the neutral wire to function, so that there is also a four pin variant (3 phases and earth) of the IEC 60309 plugs for three phase power.
P+N+E, 6h
P+N+E, 4h
The yellow P+N+E, 4h (120°) plug is a single phase connector that is in widespread use on the British Isles. This socket type was used with the MK Commando which lead to all IEC 60309 sockets to be called Commando sockets later on.3P+N+E, 9h
The blue 3P+N+E, 9h (270°) plug is a three phase connector available in areas with both 110 V and 240 V supply systems (mains). It is prevalent in the outdoor event lighting and audio power industry as an outdoor-safe replacement for NEMA-connectors. In the United States it is not usually used for three phase power but for the high leg deltaHigh leg delta
High-leg delta is a type of electrical service connection often found in older three-phase electric power installations...
wiring of split-phase electric power (unknown in Europe). This allows one to choose single-phase AC power at either 110–120 volts between phase and neutral or 220–240 volts between phase and phase. Since these two modes do not need three phases there is a non-standard yellow four-pin connector available designed for a single-phase 110–120- or 220–240-volt load.
See also
- Industrial and multiphase power plugs and socketsIndustrial and multiphase power plugs and socketsIndustrial and multiphase plugs and sockets provide a connection to the electrical mains rated at higher voltages and currents than household plugs and sockets...
- PerilexPerilexPerilex is the tradename for an approved indoor three-phase electric power connector system used in Germany , the Netherlands and Sweden. It has mostly been superseded by the IEC 60309 system used throughout Europe....
, obsolescent DIN connector