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Connectors for 200V dc

davidwalker2
I have an installation that uses 200V dc (balanced about earth but not earthed). All the installed equipment is direct wired, but I have an application that needs a plug and socket.  I don't want to use the standard connectors that are also used for ac to avoid ac equipment being plugged in inadvertently.  The equipment in question will draw a current around 8 amps and is metal framed, not double insulated so needs an earth.  I would be grateful for any suggestions/ advice.


I am sure that this has been discussed previously, but I cannot find it on the old forum.


Many thanks,


David
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    AJJewsbury:




    Yes, I was just making it clear that even a plug purchased after 1999 would be "AC only", therefore there's not simply a need to look for a vintage switched socket-outlet, but also a pre-1999 plug !



    Presumably newly manufactured plugs/sockets to BS 546 are permitted to exceed the minimum standards set down in the BS - so there might be a possibility of finding modern ones whose manufacturer was happy to state that they were also suitable for d.c. use. Presumably pre-1999 ones should have been suitable for d.c. and so unless the manufacturer's design had changed significantly in the meantime, it seems likely that current production will be equally suitable in practice, even if the BS no longer stipulates so.


    Although I admit that the old fashioned brown ones might look more in keeping.


       -  Andy.

     




    Andy,


    Not quite.


    I have a pre-1999 plug one that says "AC Only". I think it's from the late 1970s, but I've had it since 1981.


    Anything post-1999, yes agree it's entirely possible a manufacturer could state it was suitable for DC use, but that should be separately marked on the plug, and I would guess a manufacturer wouldn't go to the trouble of the additional testing and go out on a limb when the standard doesn't require it?


     

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  • 0

    AJJewsbury:




    Yes, I was just making it clear that even a plug purchased after 1999 would be "AC only", therefore there's not simply a need to look for a vintage switched socket-outlet, but also a pre-1999 plug !



    Presumably newly manufactured plugs/sockets to BS 546 are permitted to exceed the minimum standards set down in the BS - so there might be a possibility of finding modern ones whose manufacturer was happy to state that they were also suitable for d.c. use. Presumably pre-1999 ones should have been suitable for d.c. and so unless the manufacturer's design had changed significantly in the meantime, it seems likely that current production will be equally suitable in practice, even if the BS no longer stipulates so.


    Although I admit that the old fashioned brown ones might look more in keeping.


       -  Andy.

     




    Andy,


    Not quite.


    I have a pre-1999 plug one that says "AC Only". I think it's from the late 1970s, but I've had it since 1981.


    Anything post-1999, yes agree it's entirely possible a manufacturer could state it was suitable for DC use, but that should be separately marked on the plug, and I would guess a manufacturer wouldn't go to the trouble of the additional testing and go out on a limb when the standard doesn't require it?


     

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