powerCon

powerCON is an electrical connector manufactured by Neutrik for connecting mains power to equipment in a small space. It looks and works similarly to the Speakon connector, with the line connector inserted in the chassis connector and twisted to make contact and lock. Both line and chassis connectors are fully insulated even when disconnected.

Neutrik powerCON type B connectors.

powerCON Male type A, electricity source, cable connector

powerCON Female type A, electricity inlet, chassis mount

Neutrik powerCON TRUE1 female cable connector (NAC3FX-W)

The original and most common version of the powerCON is rated at 20 A. It comes in two deliberately incompatible variants to prevent people connecting two mains supplies together. The type A is blue and used for power sources (power flows out of a blue-ended cable, into a chassis socket). The type B is grey and used for power drains (power flows from a chassis socket into a grey-ended cable). Couplers are available with one chassis socket of each type mounted on the ends of a plastic tube to extend cables.

Later, Neutrik introduced a larger 32 A version of the powerCON. Unlike the 20 A version, the 32 A version comes in only one variant which appears to be intended for use as a source.

The main advantages of the powerCON are high current capacity in a small space (smaller than an IEC connector and double the current-carrying capacity) and locking action. The main disadvantages are cost and reliance on a single vendor. Older models are not designed to be connected/disconnected under load (which makes them unsuitable for equipment used by untrained personnel).

At the end of 2020, Neutrik released a re-designed version of the original PowerCON which is capable of connecting/disconnecting under load when mated with the corresponding connectors, allowing a claim of compliance with IEC EN 60320-1. Cable connectors with breaking capacity are recognizable due to the '-1' in their article number like NAC3FCA-1. Appliance connectors are recognizable due to their black colouring, and the 'XX' added in their article number, such as NAC3MPXXA. Identification is by the blue or grey band on the cable retention nut.

In January 2011, Neutrik announced a new variant of the connector called the powerCON TRUE1. Unlike the traditional powerCON connectors, the new connector is specified with breaking capacity, meaning it is designed for disconnection under load The maximum current rating for the TRUE1 connector is reduced to 16 A and it is not compatible with traditional powerCON connectors. The connectors are IP65 and UL50E rated when mated (connected) together, meaning that they are designed to be used in outdoor environments with a heavy dust and/or water presence.

Amphenol

Amphenol are now a second source of these connectors, under the HP and HPT product names.

Uses

These are most often used as power inlets on professional audio, video, and lighting equipment. Power outlets (light grey) are used to daisy-chain LED based luminaires, and panels forming a "video wall" during concerts.

These are used in both 120 and 230 volt countries, so the user must ensure supply and load voltages match.

As these are mostly unknown to the public, they may be used where a power outlet is required in a semi-public location, such as on the XPT, where they are used to power nebulisers, without passengers being able to charge 'phones and laptops.