Ceeform/commando plug ratings

[HughF]

am I the only person who thinks they are under-rated for their physical size?

I know I almost certainly shouldn't, but I regularly pull 20-30a from 16a plug/socket combos with no issue whatsoever (bodged onto generators with no output breakers) The reason I ask, I'm looking at putting the original 120/240 outlet back on my weldanpower, it is a Nema 14-50, rated at 50a, in something smaller than a 32a Ceeform. It's a nice connector, flat blade, push in type.

5/6ths the current of a 64a ceeform in something 1/4 the size...

Obviously I'd then build up an adapter pigtail to go from nema to ceeform...

 

[Pete.]

Yes they are I regularly make use of a 32a plug/63a socket adapter. You'll know when you've overdone it when you can't pull the socket

 

[Woody.v8]

Yes they are I regularly make use of a 32a plug/63a socket adapter. You'll know when you've overdone it when you can't pull the socket

Or its a puddle on the floor

 

[Robotstar5]

16A that got a bit hot....

 

[HughF]

The weak spot being the push-fit wire end terminations by the looks of things...

 

[awemawson]

When my Induction Furness was in commission before I moved, it was wired on 125 amp three phase commando plug / socket off my big generator. Ran for a long time pulling 160 amps per phase and never got warm. The 5 core 35 mm csa flex got mildly tepid at times

 

[dannyp]

decent cammando plugs ( with screw connections ) take a hell of a lot of current on the 110v stuff ive had 16A handeling about 40A all day

i keep meaning to look more closely but are the pins in 32A plugs any bigger ? or do they just look nearly the same

 

[Pete.]

Lot bigger. I think that they over rate the plugs to account for the fact that tools are very often remote from the supply, so the added leads pushes up the current draw.

 

[awemawson]

Lot bigger. I think that they over rate the plugs to account for the fact that tools are very often remote from the supply, so the added leads pushes up the current draw.

How does it do that

Longer leads will give increased voltage drop along the cable which will reduce the current in the majority of situations

 

[Robotstar5]

How does it do that

Longer leads will give increased voltage drop along the cable which will reduce the current in the majority of situations

Are you sure?, P/V = I, so a fixed load but lower voltage will draw a higher current

 

[colnerov]

No, the same load on a lower voltage will increase the current.

Edit: Snap

 

[awemawson]

ONLY if the load doesn't follow Ohms Law. The only time the current will increase is if the load is actively and dynamically altering it's characteristics as the voltage changes.

I = V/R where I is current, V is voltage and R is the load resistance. If the load is staying the same and the voltage dropping so is the current. The power will go down as well (power is I squared x R)

 

[HughF]

One of the benefits of using the 14-50 nema connector, I can get 220 and 110 from the same plug Wire it to a small distro with a 32a blue, 2x 16a blue and 4x 16a yellow, job's a goodun...

 

[wheresmejumper]

Bloody electrician on a site im on wont change out a 32amp rcbo for a 40a ,cos the 32a plug 'wont take 40a'.the rcbo is tripping out mid weld every now and then,and im pretty sure itll end in smoke soon

 

[PhillipM]

Gets even more fun when you look at automotive connectors and they're putting that 32amps of current through a 2mm contact....

 

[Wedg1e]

Bloody electrician on a site im on wont change out a 32amp rcbo for a 40a ,cos the 32a plug 'wont take 40a'.the rcbo is tripping out mid weld every now and then,and im pretty sure itll end in smoke soon

Probably needs changing for a 32A 'D' curve, tell him to do his job properly

 

[HughF]

The proper ceeform connectors to use for split phase 120/240 are apparently the orange ones:

http://www.stayonline.com/searchresult.aspx?categoryid=3983

Bloody expensive!

 

[wheresmejumper]

Probably needs changing for a 32A 'D' curve, tell him to do his job properly

problem is mid weld,not striking up.changing to a d will not make it stop.

 

[HughF]

take an engine drive and some long leads to the job...

 

[wheresmejumper]

Id need about 100m of welding leads to reach.and the morals of a certain eastern european race that dominate the site,and all that copper....