Showbiz 400A connectors.

Definitely. I wonder how many people got their fingers in the ends of those.

Big Clive

In this case it's purely to keep the weight manageable. 400A is also a good limit for each section of equipment.

Big Clive

We use fibre optic links for the audio and broadcast on the Edinburgh Tattoo. Sadly, it appears that rabbits love eating them.

Big Clive

I should wire some up for my phone charger and put a box on my desk as a joke.

Lostngone

Here in the US, we see a few of these, but it's much more common to use the older Cam-Lok connectors, which are similar in concept, but without as many safety features (and no keying; just the color-code). Also, we've got white for the neutral, and black/red/blue (or really any colors other than green and white) for the phases. Now, if you want to see some _really_ expensive connectors, check out the ones used on triax (mostly by Kings) and SMPTE hybrid copper+fiber cables (mostly by LEMO). Those are both common when connecting a field camera back to a broadcast truck (carrying power, bidirectional video, audio, control signals, intercom, and loads of other stuff; the fiber goes up to 12+Gbps; triax replaced conventional massive multicore cables), and can cost in the range of $100~$300 each.

Isn't the other reason they start to run paralell connections because at 50/60 hz the skin-effect kicks in after about 5/8" or 16mm and a thicker conductor doesn't transmit more power? Or is that only on a solid conductor?

One of my RC planes draws 100A but I suspect those connectors would weigh as much as the plane.

Certainly a lot safer than the old Camlock connectors I used to see around.

MarcT

The connectors are a lot cheaper than I expected. I've spent more on tiny signal connectors. The Powersafe Powerlock Box looks very fancy with a triangular key lock to open it and a final lock to enable it. I've no need for anything like this but they look like they'd make a satisfying widget to play with...

Trevor

I don't actually have a use for these 400A connectors but I found your discussion fascinating. Thanks.

Roger Reinsch

The locking pins (I think they call them cotter pins) are extremely tight in the hole, you have to hit them in with a hammer so that the plastic pin deforms slightly. Once they’re in it’s not really practical to remove them and re use them. The are so tight that water or anything else would not be able to get in.

Interesting and robust-looking product. I understand these are intended for mains-voltage use outdoors or where moisture might be present, but I did not see any provision to prevent ingress of liquid into the electrically-live interior of the connectors via the holes for the small red transverse locking pins. Does this not set the stage for possible electrocution if perspiration or puddle-water or other electrically-conductive liquid migrates along the length of a transverse locking pin into the body of a connector?

I should also say, back in the day before these were around, we used to use welder connectors... a bit dodgy as they're not really rated for the voltage we were using them for. We wraped them in loads of insulation tape. Powerlock connectors are far better and a lot neater, especially as one side can be a panel mount.

We use these on the carnival float!! I've bought them in the past from PEI-Genesis and they're pretty expensive... p3connectors.com seems to be a lot cheaper though. Thanks for the link! I need to replace a set of these before this years carnival, so you doing this video is perfect timing. Thanks Clive :)