What is this power connector?

[TimH]

Can anyone identify the power connector in the attached picture - I know we have a few electricians in our midst so hopefully they can help and tell me if it is 3-phase or single phase etc. The casing states 500V 25/32A if this helps. The centre pin is connected to the casing/earth, most other 3 phase connectors I've seen have three pins + earth, this has 4 + earth?

The connector is attached to an 'on car' wheel balancer that I got off ebay - never one to miss a bargain, I won the auction for a grand total of £16 - less than I've paid for getting 2 wheels balanced in the past. Hopefully it may be able to resolve the vibrations I am getting from the front of the car at M/Way speeds and above, which the conventional off car balancers dont seem to be able to achieve. In the past I had a Vauxhall Cavalier that just wouldn't balance up properly, I eventually had an 'on car' balance and it was like a 'new car feel' with absolutely no vibration in the steering - I live in hope, otherwise it looks like 2 new front tyres!

Tim.

[Miket]

Tim

Have a look at this site , might be able to get some info.

http://www.scame.com/gb/prodotto/fam/fam211.htm

[SimonP]

Not seen this type before.
What is the wiring like inside it? Are all pins connected?
Some 3 phase equipment also requires a Neutral, if the load is not balanced between all 3 phases.
It may help you to look inside the unit, for a transformer, etc.
Maybe the voltage will be marked on it.

It could have a 3 phase motor, but the control transformer may be 240V primary in which case the neutral is required

Simon

[TimH]

Mike - thanks for the link, can't see anything that matches the pin-outs I have unfortunately.

Simon - I think my next step will be to open it up and have a look inside. It came from a garage and was apparantly in use until recently, but as you say not a connector I've seen before either - but then I'm not a sparky, just occasionally work with big computer sytems that use 16A and 32A 3 phase supplies.

I hope it is single phase otherwise I'll need a single to 3 phase convertor (which makes my bargain start to get expensive!), voltage shouldn't be a problem to transform.

Cheers Tim.

[Miket]

Tim

If you go to registration at the top right of the page, they have a phone number and e-mail address in the UK, perhaps if you send them a picture they might be able to identify the plug.

[SimonP]

Does it seem to have all its controls and displays on the main unit?

If there is no transformer in the main unit, it may be possible that the transformer was mountes separately, hence the non-standard connector.

However, if it is a low powered 3-phase unit, there are a number of inverters on the market now that will provide a 3-phase output from a single phase input. Most are variable frequency output (5-120Hz) as they are designed for running conveyors etc. but you can program them to run at 50Hz constant.

I used to build and abuse motor inverters for a living - the easiest way to blow most of them is to fit a hefty flywheel on a motor, then accelerate it to max. rpm...... then tell it to reverse!

Champion of the fried braking resistor!

Simon

[kirklillis]

Simon,

This is a three phase connector, with three phase and neutral.

I can't remember what the connector is called (I think they are called Invicta) but it is an obsolete type that you will find in old industrial outlets.
I work in the power station industry and we have these on our sites.

Best bet is to replace this with a new plastic type. You can get this from Radio Spares (RS) or a local electrical supplier.

Of course, if you intend to use this unit at home you will need either:

To install a 3 -phase supply (expensive), or
To obtain a 3-phase rectifier, that converts single phase 240V into a 'sort-of' 3-phase.

Before any of the electrical guys out there start to get technical, I am only a heavy hammer man, so don't be too critical about my laymans terminology.

Kirk