AS/NZS 3123:2000

1 - AS/NZS 3123:2000 APPROVAL AND TEST SPECIFICATION - PLUGS, SOCKET-OUTLETS AND COUPLERS FOR GENERAL INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
6 - 1 SCOPE AND REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
6 - 1.1 Scope
6 - 1.2 Referenced documents
7 - 2 DEFINITIONS
7 - 2.1 General
7 - 2.2 Specific definitions
7 - 2.2.1 Accessories
7 - 2.2.2 Appliance coupler
8 - 2.2.3 Basic insulation
8 - 2.2.4 Cable coupler
8 - 2.2.5 Double insulation
8 - 2.2.6 Integral switching device
8 - 2.2.7 Interlock
8 - 2.2.8 Mechanical switching device
8 - 2.2.9 Non-rewireable plug or connector
8 - 2.2.10 Plug and socket-outlet
8 - 2.2.11 Rated current
8 - 2.2.12 Rated voltage
9 - 2.2.13 Reinforced insulation
9 - 2.2.14 Retaining device
9 - 2.2.15 Rewireable plug or connector
9 - 2.2.16 Supplementary insulation
9 - 2.2.17 Switched socket-outlet
9 - 2.2.18 Terminal
9 - 2.2.19 Type test
9 - 3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
9 - 4 GENERAL NOTES ON TESTS
9 - 4.1 Type of tests
9 - 4.2 Sampling
9 - 4.3 Order of tests
10 - 4.4 Number of samples
10 - 4.5 Pass criteria
10 - 4.6 Conductors
10 - 5 RATING
10 - 5.1 Rated voltages
10 - 5.2 Rated currents
10 - 6 CLASSIFICATION
11 - 7 MARKING
11 - 7.1 General
11 - 7.2 Symbols
11 - 7.3 Socket-outlets and appliance inlets
12 - 7.4 Plugs and connectors
12 - 7.5 Rewireable accessories
13 - 7.6 Legibility and durability
13 - 7.7 Literature available from the manufacturer
13 - 8 DIMENSIONS
13 - 8.1 General
13 - 8.2 Protection against improper connections
14 - 8.3 Protection against single-pin or unintended connections
14 - 9 PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCK
14 - 9.1 Design
14 - 9.2 Earthing connection
14 - 10 PROVISION FOR EARTHING
14 - 10.1 Earthing connection
15 - 10.2 Accessible metal parts
15 - 10.3 Prevention of overheating
15 - 10.4 Protection against mechanical damage
15 - 11 TERMINALS
15 - 11.1 Types of fixings
15 - 11.2 Construction
15 - 11.3 Earthing terminal
16 - 11.4 Connection of conductor
16 - 11.5 Mechanical strength
16 - 11.6 Fixing to accessory
16 - 11.7 Clamping of conductor
16 - 11.8 Loosening of clamping screws or nuts
16 - 11.9 Protection and segregation of terminals
17 - 11.10 Prevention of improper contact
17 - 12 INTERLOCKS, RETAINING DEVICES AND SWITCHES
17 - 12.1 Interlocks
17 - 12.2 Retaining devices
17 - 12.3 Switches
18 - 13 RESISTANCE TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
18 - 14 GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
18 - 14.1 General
18 - 14.2 Accessible surfaces
18 - 14.3 Screws
18 - 14.4 Position of earthing or neutral contact or pin
18 - 14.5 Material suitability for conditions of use
18 - 15 CONSTRUCTION OF SOCKET-OUTLETS
18 - 15.1 Socket-outlet and plug contact
18 - 15.1.1 General
18 - 15.1.2 Withdrawal force test
19 - 15.1.3 Alternative withdrawal force test
19 - 15.1.4 Contact pressure
20 - 15.2 Construction
20 - 15.3 Parts providing protection
20 - 15.4 Cable entries
20 - 15.5 Insulating linings, barriers and the like
20 - 15.6 Protected socket-outlets
21 - 16 CONSTRUCTION OF PLUGS AND CONNECTORS
21 - 16.1 General
21 - 16.2 Loosening of plug or connector
21 - 16.3 Insulating lining
21 - 16.4 Prevention of rotation
21 - 16.5 Contacts
21 - 16.6 Contact force
22 - 16.7 Protected plugs
22 - 16.8 Protected connectors
22 - 17 CONSTRUCTION OF APPLIANCE INLETS
22 - 17.1 Prevention of rotation
22 - 17.2 Protected appliance inlets
22 - 17.3 Pins
22 - 18 IP DESIGNATION
23 - 19 INSULATION RESISTANCE AND ELECTRIC STRENGTH
23 - 19.1 General
23 - 19.2 Insulation resistance test
23 - 19.3 High voltage (electric strength) test
23 - 20 BREAKING CAPACITY
24 - 21 MECHANICAL ENDURANCE
24 - 21.1 General
24 - 21.2 Mechanical endurance test
25 - 21.3 Lid spring test
25 - 22 TEMPERATURE RISE
26 - 23 FLEXIBLE CABLES AND CORDS AND THEIR CONNECTION
26 - 23.1 Non-rewireable plugs and connectors
26 - 23.2 Cable anchorage
27 - 23.3 Rewireable plugs and connectors
27 - 23.4 Plugs and connectors provided with flexible cables and flexible cords
29 - 24 MECHANICAL STRENGTH
29 - 24.1 General
29 - 24.2 Impact hammer test for socket- outlets and appliance inlets
29 - 24.3 Tests for plugs and connectors
30 - 24.4 Additional test for non- rewireable plugs and connectors
30 - 24.5 Test for glands of protected accessories
31 - 25 SCREWS, CURRENT-CARRYING PARTS AND CONNECTIONS
31 - 25.1 Mechanical strength
32 - 25.2 Engagement of thread of insulating material
32 - 25.3 Contact pressure of electrical connections
32 - 25.4 Use of screws and rivets
32 - 25.5 Current-carrying parts
33 - 25.6 Resistance to corrosion
33 - 26 CREEPAGE DISTANCES, CLEARANCES AND DISTANCES THROUGH SEALING COMPOUND
33 - 26.1 General
34 - 26.2 Sealing compound
34 - 27 RESISTANCE TO HEAT, FIRE AND TRACKING
34 - 27.1 Determination of ignitability and combustion propagation
34 - 27.2 Heat behaviour test
34 - 27.3 Resistance to tracking
34 - 28 RESISTANCE TO RUSTING

Specifies essential safety requirements for plugs, socket-outlets, cable couplers and appliance couplers for operation at 50 Hz, with a rated voltage not exceeding 660 V and a rated current not exceeding 315 A intended for general industrial use. To be read in conjunction with AS/NZS 3100.

This Standard sets out the requirements for plugs and socket-outlets, cable couplers and appliance couplers for operation at 50 Hz, with a rated voltage not exceeding 660 V and a rated current not exceeding 315 A, primarily intended for general industrial use, either indoors or outdoors.NOTES:1 This Standard applies to plugs and socket-outlets, cable couplers and appliance couplers (referred to in this Standard as accessories) for use when the ambient temperature does not normally exceed 40C.2 The use of accessories (see Note 1) in building sites and in agricultural, commercial and domestic situations is not precluded.3 Appliance inlets incorporated in, or fixed to, electrical equipment are within the scope of this Standard.4 This Standard does not apply to accessories that comply with AS/NZS 3109.1 and AS/NZS 3112 and which are primarily intended for domestic and similar general purposes, nor to accessories that comply with AS 2380.1 and are intended for explosive atmospheres.5 The configurations shown in this Standard depict standardized Australian and New Zealand industrial plugs, socket-outlets, cable couplers and appliance couplers for operation at 50 Hz.6 This Standard may be applied to configurations and contact types other than those depicted herein, providing all appropriate (to that type) requirements of this Standard are complied with.7 Devices that comply with IEC 60309-1 are deemed to comply with the appropriate requirements of this Standard.

First published as AS C317-1958.
Revised and redesignated as AS 3123-1987.
Jointly revised and designated AS/NZS 3123:1994.
Second edition 2000.