Electrical Plugs & Socket-Outlets For Industrial Purpose Specification Guide

Published 21 Oct 2019

Plugs Sockets Connectors Decontactors | Distributed in UK by Thorne & Derrick

ELECTRICAL PLUGS & SOCKET-OUTLETS

Industrial Standards

In this Blog Marechal discuss different global standards suitable for their ranges of electrical equipment including industrial electrical plugs and socket-outlets, the DECONTACTOR to the industrial connectors.

The range of Marechal plugs and sockets are available in a range of current ratings, switching capabilities, voltage supply and hazardous area certifications (according to ATEX & IECEx) for safe use in potentially explosive atmospheres – this includes oil, gas and petrochem industries.

European Directives

The European texts aim to align the laws of the Member States to facilitate the movement of products while ensuring the protection of persons and property. All products put on the market must be consistent with the guidelines applicable to them and carry the CE mark.

For the power sockets designed to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres, the applicable Directive is the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.

For power sockets for industrial uses, the Directive applicable is the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) N°2014/35/ EU.

The LVD lays down essential safety requirements: “ Equipment may only be put on the market if it is built in accordance with the rules of good practice, and if when installed and maintained properly and used for the purpose intended it does not compromise the safety of persons, or domestic animals or property ”.

The Directive requires manufacturers to:

Design and manufacture a product that complies with the safety requirements of the Directive (when equipment complies with the requirements of a product standard, it receives only a presumption of compliance with the essential safety requirements) ;
Follow the procedure of evaluation and then of attestation of this compliance;
Gather all the elements of the design and evaluation of this compliance in “Technical Documentation”;
Manufacture appliances within the framework of a system of internal inspection of the manufacture, in order to ensure their conformity to the Technical Documentation, even when bought-in products and/or external services are used.

All MARECHAL® appliances are consistent with the LVD and are manufactured within the framework of an ISO 9001 quality control system.

CE Marked Plugs & Sockets

CE Marking

Marking constitutes a guarantee that MARECHAL® appliances do not compromise the safety of persons or property. If MARECHAL® appliances are associated with devices or spare parts that are not of MARECHAL® origin, the marking is invalidated and the responsibility of MARECHAL® cannot be engaged.

Order relating to removable electrical devices and their conditions of connection and use.

This Order was published in the Official Journal on 27 January 2012. It stipulates:

Art. 6. − The joining or separation of the two parts of power sockets, extension cords and current connectors with a rating higher than 32 amps, must only be able to be performed off load.

Art. 8. – This order is applicable with effect from the day following the day of its publication.

All MARECHAL® appliances comply with this order.

International Standards

MARECHAL® devices comply with the following standards:

IEC/EN 60309-1 : power outlets for industrial uses – Part 1: General rules
IEC/EN 60309-4 :Power outlets for industrial uses – Part 4: Switched socket-outlets and connectors with or without interlock.
The break capacity of the MARECHAL® DECONTACTOR™ is tested according to the following standard:
IEC/EN 60947-3: low voltage appliances – Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units.

For specific uses, the MARECHAL® appliances comply with the following standard:

IEC/EN 61984: connectors.

American Standards

MARECHAL® devices comply with the following standards:

UL 2682 (United States): power sockets with break capacity for motor connection.
UL 1682 (United States) and CSA C22.2 No. 182.1-07 (Canada): power sockets and connectors
AS 3123 (Australia): air-break switches
AS 3133 (Australia): air-break switches

Industrial Power Plugs – Marcehal decontactors with 16A to 700A current ratings and 1,000 volt power supply.

Hazardous Area Plugs & Sockets – ATEX certified for explosive atmospheres Zone 1 & Zone 2 (Gas) and Zone 21 & Zone 22 (Dust).

ELECTRICAL & PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION EQUIPMENT

FOR EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES

Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Hazardous Area & Explosion Proof Equipment with IECEx & ATEX Certifications to the onshore and offshore oil, gas, petrochemicals and process industries.