

Of the types of AC connectors, power plugs are for standard size devices while industrial AC power plugs are large electrical wire connectors for larger industrial applications. Some of these variants include: AC ConnectorsĪC power connector types are mainly used to connect equipment to a wall outlet in order to power the device. In addition to the three general categories of power connectors, there are numerous different types of power connectors that fall under each heading. Because of the large load they can carry, heavy-duty connectors are effective in large-scale power distribution applications, as well as power management and protection systems, such as circuit breakers. Heavy-duty connectors carry high-level currents in the range of hundreds of kilovolts (kV).

Medium-duty can be found in an array of domestic and industrial applications. Thus, proper material selection is critical in ensuring the device’s integrity. Unlike low-duty connectors, medium-duty variants can suffer from electrical wear if the contact material isn’t carefully monitored to prevent involuntary welding and erosion. Power connectors found in cars, radio and communication devices, and those intended for basic instruments are all classified as light-duty power connectors.Ī medium-duty power connector carries a higher-level electrical current at up to 1,000 V. Additionally, it’s important to minimize the presence of external contaminants on connector contacts (such as dirt, dust, and water) because the component is prone to oxidation and contaminants can catalyze the process. However, if contact resistance doesn’t stay low and stable, the ability of the device to transmit current may be compromised. Each category heading refers to how much voltage the connector can handle.Ī light-duty electrical power connector can carry up to 250 volts (V) of a low current. There are three categories of electrical connectors: light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty. Generally, electrical power connectors are classified according to how much voltage they carry.


To better understand which connector is best-suited for a particular purpose, it’s helpful to examine how electrical power connectors are classified and the capabilities of each variant. Depending on the electrical current carried and the purpose of the application, one of several power connector types may be appropriate. Because electrical power sources can range in size from small batteries to large power grids, the electrical power connectors that allow the transmission of electricity vary in form.
