Perilex
Encyclopedia
Perilex is the tradename for an approved indoor three-phase electric power
connector system used in Germany
(West Germany
), the Netherlands
and Sweden
. It has mostly been superseded by the IEC 60309
system used throughout Europe.
There are two variants, a more common 16-ampere version and a rarely used 25-ampere 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 norm VDE 0100 prescribed the phase sequence for all types of three-phase connectors in a way incompatible with the original Perliex pinout, the R and T connectors may have been swapped. The PE connector is protruding and will therefore mate first. In order to distinguish the variants, the 16-ampere version has a horizontal PE connector, whereas it is vertical in the 25-ampere variant.
In Germany, Perilex connectors have been standardised by DIN
. The 16-ampere version is DIN 49445 (socket) and DIN 49446 (plug) and the 25-ampere version is DIN 49447 (socket) and DIN 49448 (plug). It did replace an earlier flat 4-pin connector (3 phases and neutral) that was standardized in DIN 49450 / DIN 49451. The earlier flat connector did continue to exist in East Germany - after reunification all machinery was required to be rebuilt to round connectors until 1998
Usage of the Perliex 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 afore-mentioned ambiguity regarding the phase sequence. Since 1st January 1975, the use of the Perilex system has been outlawed for new industrial installations but continues to be legal in homes, hospitals and small businesses. However, even there is it being superseded by the IEC system used throughout Europe. The fact that East Germany used a completely different system, resulting in two incompatible non-IEC systems in re-unified Germany
, also contributes to this trend.
Three-phase electric power
Three-phase electric power is a common method of alternating-current electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It is a type of polyphase system and is the most common method used by grids worldwide to transfer power. It is also used to power large motors and other heavy loads...
connector system used in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
(West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
), the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It has mostly been superseded by the IEC 60309
IEC 60309
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,...
system used throughout Europe.
There are two variants, a more common 16-ampere version and a rarely used 25-ampere 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 norm VDE 0100 prescribed the phase sequence for all types of three-phase connectors in a way incompatible with the original Perliex pinout, the R and T connectors may have been swapped. The PE connector is protruding and will therefore mate first. In order to distinguish the variants, the 16-ampere version has a horizontal PE connector, whereas it is vertical in the 25-ampere variant.
In Germany, Perilex connectors have been standardised by DIN
Din
DIN or Din or din can have several meanings:* A din is a loud noise.* Dīn, an Arabic term meaning "religion" or "way of life".* Din is one of the ten aspects of the Ein Sof in Kabbalah ....
. The 16-ampere version is DIN 49445 (socket) and DIN 49446 (plug) and the 25-ampere version is DIN 49447 (socket) and DIN 49448 (plug). It did replace an earlier flat 4-pin connector (3 phases and neutral) that was standardized in DIN 49450 / DIN 49451. The earlier flat connector did continue to exist in East Germany - after reunification all machinery was required to be rebuilt to round connectors until 1998
Usage of the Perliex 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 afore-mentioned ambiguity regarding the phase sequence. Since 1st January 1975, the use of the Perilex system has been outlawed for new industrial installations but continues to be legal in homes, hospitals and small businesses. However, even there is it being superseded by the IEC system used throughout Europe. The fact that East Germany used a completely different system, resulting in two incompatible non-IEC systems in re-unified Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, also contributes to this trend.