How does Appleton Powertite pin and sleeve design prevent arc flash and accidental touching?

Energized contacts are deeply recessed to reduce danger of accidental touching and minimize exposed arcs. The insulator quenches arcing and is resistant to abnormal heat and fire. In 30, 60, 100, 150 and 200 Amp units, any arcing created as line and load terminals disengage is safely confined deep within terminal cavities. Plugs may be withdrawn in an emergency under full rated loads without separate disconnect switches. The 400 Amp plug is for disconnecting use only, not for current rupturing. Pressure wire terminals allow cable to be readily replaced, and spring contacts provide constant pressure along the entire contact surface.

Appleton lists the series for NEC/CEC ordinary unclassified locations with NEMA 3, 4, 4X. The 30, 60, 100 and 150 Amp Powertite plugs are also suitable for classified locations when used with Appleton EBR, EBRH, JBR, MD2SR, or DBR explosionproof interlocking receptacles. Ambient temperature range is -25 °C to +40 °C (-13 °F to +104 °F). Contacts are solid brass with beryllium copper springs on 30, 60 and 100 Amp units, solid copper with beryllium copper springs on 150 Amp, and split-type copper on 200 Amp. The 400 Amp uses solid copper contacts with four spring-loaded borosilicate bearings.

What grounding styles are available in Appleton Powertite plugs and receptacles?

Appleton Powertite offers two grounding styles: Style 1 shell only and Style 2 shell and extra pole. Style 1 uses a grounded plug shell that makes contact with receptacle ground springs before line and load poles engage. All terminals are current carrying. Style 2 adds an extra grounding pole with a copper alloy grounding jumper strap connected to the plug housing and a longer grounding pole that makes first and breaks last. This controlled length contact ensures ground makes first and breaks last for added safety. The grounding styles determine the wire and pole configurations, including 2W, 2P and 3W, 3P for Style 1, and 2W, 3P and 3W, 4P for Style 2.

Standard materials include copperfree aluminum housings with maximum 4/10 of 1 percent copper, glass filled polyester insulating blocks, and epoxy powder coat finish on aluminum housings. Neoprene bushings compressed by cable collars prevent water entrance and are highly resistant to hydrocarbon deterioration and self-extinguishing. A locking screw and slot prevents plug cable collar from backing off.

What are the Appleton Powertite amperage ratings and emergency disconnect limits?

Powertite is available in 30, 60, 100, 150, 200 and 400 Amp units, all rated 600 Vac, 250 Vdc, 50-400 Hz. Wire recess diameters range from .281 inches on 30 Amp to .687 inches on 200 Amp. 30 Amp accepts #10 to #6 building wire; 60 Amp accepts #6 to #2 building wire; 100 Amp accepts #4 to #1 building wire; 150 Amp accepts #2 to 2/0 building wire. 200 Amp accepts 250 MCM to #1/0. 400 Amp uses solder wire terminals with .84 or 1.25 inch recess diameters, accepting 400 MCM to 1000 MCM conductors.

Emergency disconnect under load is permitted within specific horsepower ratings. For 30 Amp three phase at 240 Vac, the limit is 10 HP; at 480 Vac 20 HP; at 600 Vac 25 HP. 60 Amp three phase allows 20 HP at 240 Vac, 40 HP at 480 Vac, 50 HP at 600 Vac. 100 Amp three phase allows 30 HP at 240 Vac, 75 HP at 480 Vac, 100 HP at 600 Vac. 150 Amp three phase allows 50 HP at 240 Vac, 100 HP at 480 Vac, 150 HP at 600 Vac. 200 Amp three phase allows 75 HP at 240 Vac, 150 HP at 480 Vac, 200 HP at 600 Vac. The 400 Amp unit is not horsepower rated because it is for disconnecting use only.

How do Appleton Powertite clamping rings and spring doors deliver NEMA 4X?

Plug and receptacle combinations are NEMA 4X rated when the clamping ring is fully tightened on the receptacle or connector body. The plug with clamping ring has a neoprene gasket, and the ring threads onto a screw cap receptacle to provide NEMA 4X assembly when properly tightened. Receptacles are NEMA 4X rated when the screw cover is fully engaged when not in use. Spring door and screw cap receptacles are threaded to accept a clamping ring ACP plug. When the plug is withdrawn, the gasketed spring door cover closes tightly against the receptacle opening automatically. The spring door has a stainless steel spring and shaft and can be positioned at any point in a 360 degree circle by adjusting a setscrew.

Receptacle types include spring door, screw cover, and NEMA 4X weatherproof cover. A NEMA 4X cap accessory protects plug insulation and contacts from moisture, dirt, dust and corrosion when not in use. Lock collar accessory PTLC60100 secures 60 and 100 Amp series plugs and connectors to prevent intentional disconnection by unauthorized personnel, using a padlock. NEMA 4X plug dust cap part ACPCAP200 protects 200 Amp 3 and 4 pole plugs from debris and moisture when not in use.

When should you use reverse service or special polarization options?

Reverse service, or generator application, is useful where a hot plug feeds a dead receptacle. The receptacle houses a dead plug interior, and the plug houses an energized receptacle interior with recessed male contacts. 30, 60, 100, 150 and 200 Amp units can be converted to reverse service in the field when matching plug and receptacle are ordered together. The 400 Amp unit is only available as a factory assembled item at extra cost. Add suffix -RS to the receptacle or connector catalog number for reverse service. Special polarization is available on 30, 60, 100, 200 and 400 Amp units by adding suffix -P4. It prevents plug insertion in a receptacle or connector wired for a different voltage, useful in installations with different line voltages.

Nonmetallic plugs are available for 30 and 60 Amp 3W, 4P configurations, but reverse service and special polarization options are not available on nonmetallic plugs. Reversible cable clamps permit a wide cable range by loosening screws and flipping over, convenient for installations with different cable sizes.

What certifications and compatibility apply to Appleton Powertite series?

UL standards include UL 1682, UL 1686 and UL 50E. UL Listed file numbers are E145916 and E145917. cULus Listed E145917 covers 30 Amp through 200 Amp. CSA standard is C22.2 No. 182.1-13, with CSA Certified file number 065179. NEMA 4X applies to 30, 60, 100, 150 and 200 Amp units. NEMA configuration is FB11. 400 Amp versions with the -N4 suffix are NEMA 4 rated. Powertite series is intermateable with Crouse-Hinds Arktite and Powermate, and Killark Versamate. Appleton Powertite series 30 through 100 Amps is UL Classified for use in specific combinations with Crouse-Hinds Arktite.

Powertite 150 Amp ARC connectors are not UL listed or CSA certified. PTK84 pressure terminal kits for use with 400-500 MCM wire are not UL listed. 200 Amp replacement interiors ending with -B correspond to Model B version, and Model B interiors are not backwards compatible with the original version. Pins and sleeves are not sold separately and must be purchased as entire interior replacements.

Summary

Appleton Powertite Series pin and sleeve plugs, connectors and receptacles are listed for NEC/CEC ordinary unclassified locations, NEMA 3, 4, 4X, and rated 600 Vac, 250 Vdc, 50-400 Hz.
Available in 30, 60, 100, 150, 200 and 400 Amp units with Style 1 shell only or Style 2 shell and extra pole grounding.
Emergency disconnect under load is permitted within specific horsepower ratings from 30 through 200 Amp, while the 400 Amp unit is for disconnecting use only.
Reverse service and special polarization options prevent mismatched voltages and support generator applications, with suffixes -RS and -P4.
UL 1682, UL 1686, UL 50E, CSA C22.2 No. 182.1-13, and intermateability with Crouse-Hinds Arktite and Killark Versamate are documented.

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Appleton Powertite Pin and Sleeve Plugs and Receptacles: How to Select 30 to 400 Amp Devices