powerCON / TRUE1 (Neutrik)
Definition
powerCON is a family of locking mains connectors made by Neutrik and widely used on AV equipment. The classic powerCON is a keyed twist-lock pair, blue for the power input and grey for the power output, rated at around 20 A. It has no breaking capacity, so it must not be connected or disconnected under load or live. powerCON TRUE1 has breaking capacity and may be connected and disconnected under load; it is rated 16 A under IEC 60320-1 and 20 A under UL in North America, and is protected to IP44. TRUE1 TOP adds IP65 protection when mated, for outdoor use. Classic powerCON and TRUE1 connectors do not mate with each other.
In the field
A classic grey or blue powerCON is not unplugged with the load running, because the arc damages the contacts, so the equipment is switched off first. TRUE1 is the family designed for connection and disconnection under load. The two families do not interlock, so adapters and mixed cable stocks are checked before a tour.
Related lessons
Sources
- Neutrik, NAC3FCA, powerCON classique 20 A, sans pouvoir de coupure : ne pas brancher ni débrancher en charge ou sous tension · neutrik.com
- Neutrik, NAC3FX-W (powerCON TRUE1) : pouvoir de coupure ; 16 A, 20 A aux États-Unis · neutrik.com
- Neutrik, NAC3FX-W-TOP : TRUE1 TOP, IP65 une fois accouplé, résistant aux UV (UL 50E) · neutrik.com
- Cordial, Schuko vs. powerCON vs. TRUE 1 : powerCON jusqu'à 20 A ; TRUE1 branchable en charge ; TRUE1 TOP étanche une fois accouplé · cordial-cables.com
- Adam Hall, powerCON TRUE1 TOP mains connectors IP65 : TRUE1 TOP IP65 une fois accouplé, TRUE1 standard IP44 · adamhall.com