Industrial and Multiphase Power Plugs and Sockets - Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand

In Australia, New Zealand and some pacific islands, a different standard is used. The plugs and sockets are manufactured by Clipsal (Australia) and PDL (New Zealand) respectively. The most common is arguably the 32 A version of the Clipsal 56 series, named after its IP 56 rating. Also available are metal-clad and the 66 series and some European CEE standard outlets. The 56 series only allows metal-clad housings for 50 A and above, while the 66 series allows plastic housings with interlocks (cannot mate or separate some interlocking plugs with the power on) however it has a different pin configuration (AS3123).

Multiple pin version are available, 3 pins for single phase in 10, 20 and 32 A, 4 pins for 3 phase motors that do not require neutral connection in 10, 20, 32, 40, 50 and 60 A and 5 pins for equipment and distribution boards that require neutral and earth. 6 and 7 pin versions are also available in 10 and 20 A in 56 series and 50, 63 and 80 A in 66 series with extra control pins. Since neutral is the central pin, 4 pin plugs will fit 5 pin sockets, but the same does not hold for 3 pin plugs. While all residential Australian sockets will accept plugs of a lower rating, apparently only 32, 40 and 50 A industrial sockets of the same series will accept plugs of lower ratings, but 10 and 20 A are different again. For this reason it is prudent to check exactly which type of connector in terms of number of pins and current. Adaptor leads and boards are also quite common, however are typically expensive.

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