General > General Technical Chat
Quick connect for testing of 480 VAC device?
martincho:
I have to test over 100 units of a device that runs at 480 VAC. The device will have a stripped 3-conductor cable (L, N, GND) coming out of it, no connector. Power is minimal, less than 1/2 A.
I am looking to build/buy a simple rig to do this with minimal fuss. These are my specs at the moment:
- Power switch for safety
- Easy plug in and out
I will probably add AC current and voltage panel meters.
My current concept is to use a NEMA L8-20 twist-lock plug with a short length of flexible cord and Wago 2-pin lever connectors on the end. Something like this:
https://www.mcmaster.com/7162K65/
https://www.wago.com/us/wire-splicing-connectors/inline-splicing-connector-with-lever/p/221-2401
Procedure:
- Connect L, N and GND to the twist-lock connector: Flip all three levers; push wires in; flip levers down
- Connect twist-lock to test rig
- Flip the switch and go through test procedure
- At the end of the test, turn off, reverse procedure to disconnect
In other words, three layers of safety: 1- Power switch; 2- Twist-lock is disconnected while attaching to device; 3- Wago splicing connectors
Is there a better approach? Both speed and safety are important.
Thanks,
-Martin
Monkeh:
That's not L/N, but anyway..
https://www.cliffuk.co.uk/products/tools/quicktestqt3.pdf
bdunham7:
That sounds reasonable provided every element of your test rig can withstand the available fault current. You might consider adding fuses to both inputs just to be safe.
https://www.grainger.com/product/1CP25?ef_id=Cj0KCQiAmpyRBhC-ARIsABs2EArTZctoBhGm81GccT872Nli0BxxhjMdQq5Apb_ujYhx1TVwzfjz76AaAtzOEALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!264955915673!!!g!461787465034!&gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmpyRBhC-ARIsABs2EArTZctoBhGm81GccT872Nli0BxxhjMdQq5Apb_ujYhx1TVwzfjz76AaAtzOEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
NiHaoMike:
How about alligator clips secured to an enclosure with a transformer to provide the 480V from 120V and a cover that turns on the power when it closes over the alligator clips?
mikeselectricstuff:
If you want to do it properly, put the connectors under a lid of some sort that switches off power when lifted.
Or use something specifically designed for this ( though not 480v it would probably be fine, apart from the neon)
https://cpc.farnell.com/cliff-electronic-components/cl-1850/quick-test-block-no-lead/dp/PL16023
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version