pin and sleeve connectors

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powerguy

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pin and sleeve connectors

Today I installed several 60A pin and sleeve connectors on remote cell towers to be used for generator connections. My question is, what is the proper pinout to connect P1,P2,P3,N,and g? My reference book shows all the twist locks but no pin and sleeve connectors. How do I know that they are wired the same at other locations and will not cause a phase reversal....or worse..
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

you have a stand alone power source--- the generator. if your load has three phase rotory equipment you will have to verify the phase rotation of the generator or generators to assure they match the rotation of the equipment. normally, they are wired p-1 to "a" phase, p-2 to "b" phase, and p-3 to "c" phase. this could be confirmed through the use of a phase rotation meter also, by checking the tower's power source rotation compared to the generator...
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

There is no such thing as Phase A or Phase B or Phase C from the utility, so each service entrance is different. Unless different sources are being paralleled identifying specific conductors is not required.

At each location you need to arbitrarily assign A, B, and C to the line conductors (i.e. like charlie tuna said) and then use a phase rotation meter to determine the actual rotation.
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

While there is no way to find "A", "B" or "C", there is a way to find ABC rotation, and the code requires ABC rotation in 408.3(E) and 430.97(B).
Don
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Here is how I do 3 phase services
I ask the utility for clockwise at my equipment. I will be there when then connect to verify with a phase meter. Everything is wired CW top to bottom and left to right.
The generator is wired CW on its connector.
Since you are using the same generator at multiple locations it has to be same for all connections.

If the electrical service is CCW then you "could" roll two wires but that would cause confusion and is a violation as Don pointed out.
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

There is no NEC phase rotation requirement for plugs and connectors. Switches, terminal blocks and motor starters are also not covered. This allows rotation to be changed by swapping phases at the terminals (i.e. line side for entire machine) rather than at the motor.

430.97 applies only to bus bars in motor control centers.

408.3(E) applies only to bus bars in panelboards and switchboards.
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Jim,
Correct, but in most cases, 408.3(E) will require the incomming power from the utility to be ABC rotation when landed in the panel. I only posted that in response to your statement that said;
... so each service entrance is different.
Click to expand...
with my point being that each service entrance should not be different.
Don
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Don,

You are right, at each service entrance and after each SDS, the bus bar phasing should be per the NEC however there is an exception for existing wiring.

Also, when using Square D I-line breakers, those mounted on the right hand side are allowed to be CBA top to bottom because they are not buses, this creates problems when installers do not look at the labels. Square D makes breakers that are top to bottom, just order a standard breaker and add the suffix "CBA" (i.e. FA34100CBA)
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Jim,
Yes, I seem to remember that about the I-Line breakers.
Don
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Maybe I should try to clarify my post a bit. I am more concerned with what pin would be ground and what pin would be neutral. The connectors are only numbered and no mention of how to wire them. In other applications if I took a twist lock plug out of the box the configuration would be marked right on it IE N,G,H1,H2. these pin and sleeve connectors only say 1,2,3,4,

Thanks, Mark
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Wouldn't the male pin for equipment ground be longer than the other male pins, for a "make-first, break-last" setup?
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

It should say on the connector! I've never seen one where it didn't. Anyway, the fat pin is the ground. The neutral is next to it on the right hand side if you are looking at the face of a female connector.

Phase 1/2/3 start on the left hand side, counting from the ground pin. (I.e. phase 3 is next to Neutral)

:roll:
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Anyway, the fat pin is the ground.
Click to expand...
On the 60a Russel-Stoll ones that we use for our plant welding outlets, the smaller diameter pin is the grounding pin. The other three are the ungrounded conductors.
Don
 
Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Re: pin and sleeve connectors

Don, I learn something new every day. I had no idea that there was a Russel Stoll connector series.
 
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