Switchcraft's plug and outlet option

[runs4beer]

Says who? These speaker connectors were never intended to carry power. Show me a professional who would use them for this purpose.

Go Production
Caramore center for the performing arts
Event technology
To supply power for both theatrical lighting and power supply for amplification.
All the come to mind at the moment.

 

[orangehero]

Neutrik, the company that makes the premium version of these connectors, explicitly states that they are not for use with mains power, and sells a similar, more robust connector designed for that purpose.

Switchcraft, the company that makes cheap knock-offs of those connectors, says it's ok, and good enough for 50A and 1500 VAC.

 

[runs4beer]

Run,

This was asked before, but I did not see an answer.

What size mounting hole for the panel mount?

Tim

They are 24mm which is just under an inch ( 0.94488") so a 1" hole saw will work well!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Home Brew mobile app

 

[MX1]

They are 24mm which is just under an inch ( 0.94488") so a 1" hole saw will work well!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Home Brew mobile app

Thanks brother

 

[augiedoggy]

Go Production
Caramore center for the performing arts
Event technology
To supply power for both theatrical lighting and power supply for amplification.
All the come to mind at the moment.

Don't forget the manufacturer... they also state its purpose is for power as well.

 

[runs4beer]

Neutrik, the company that makes the premium version of these connectors, explicitly states that they are not for use with mains power, and sells a similar, more robust connector designed for that purpose.

Switchcraft, the company that makes cheap knock-offs of those connectors, says it's ok, and good enough for 50A and 1500 VAC.

"Cheep knock-offs" can have different ratings then what they are "cheep knock-offs" of, right?

 

[MX1]

So what I do not understand is why so many people that do not like/approve of/or want to use these, keep trolling this thread?

Tim

 

[LandoLincoln]

Neutrik, the company that makes the premium version of these connectors, explicitly states that they are not for use with mains power, and sells a similar, more robust connector designed for that purpose.

Switchcraft, the company that makes cheap knock-offs of those connectors, says it's ok, and good enough for 50A and 1500 VAC.

So you're calling them a liar?

Define "mains power."

 

[runs4beer]

Don't forget the manufacturer... they also state its purpose is for power as well.

Of course! I was trying to answer the exact question, you know stay on tropic...
The switch craft option... not mandate!

 

[MX1]

Option!?!

Run! You have been pushing your ways onto young impressionable electric brewers.
How dare you go against the grain and offer up a solution that not only cost less but takes up a smaller footprint.



I have been converted

There is no craft but Switchcraft

///end sarcasm ///

Lol

 

[augiedoggy]

Neutrik, the company that makes the premium version of these connectors, explicitly states that they are not for use with mains power, and sells a similar, more robust connector designed for that purpose.

Switchcraft, the company that makes cheap knock-offs of those connectors, says it's ok, and good enough for 50A and 1500 VAC.

Actually that's the current they have been tested and found to be safe up to and they were UL listed and approved all the way back in 1977 with these ratings so... if they were unsafe this would not be the case... right? Otherwise why consider any of these ratings or regulations at all?

The fact of the matter is no one who is using these for this purpose has had any problems other than they wished they locked better... but those people also stated they stay plugged in just fine for the use they are using them for.
Just like those that are using hot water tank elements to heat and make food grade beverages in kegs that weren't designed by the manufacturer for this purpose and cooler mashtuns also not designed for the heat or use they experience.... and we drink this from bottles NOT designed for refill by the manufacturer or kegs designed fro soda syrup....
So what was your point again?

Eventually someone might manufacturing a heating element just for making beer then perhaps people here can make negative "hack" comments about the water tank elements too I guess... they do make all stainless elements...perhaps anyone not using them should be convinced there setup is unsafe because there's a better more expensive option? I mean surely camco has some disclaimer about not using their hot water tank elements for food?

 

[orangehero]

I was just presenting some facts in reponse to the statement that they are adequately rated for this application. The discrepancy in ratings does seem odd to me.

Why is it people always gets their panties in a wad whenever safety is discussed?

 

[alien]

You cannot fit 4x 6 AWG wires inside these connectors, there physically is not space to do so. So how can they handle 50 Amps continuous power? It doesn't pass the smell test.

The power needs of audio equipment are not the same as the power needs of an electric stove.

 

[alien]

So what I do not understand is why so many people that do not like/approve of/or want to use these, keep trolling this thread?

Tim

@MX1 If you are calling me out as a troll, let me respond. I have had a certain forum member, well represented in this discussion, in my earhole over and over asking me to justify my views on these plugs, which are apparently opposite to his. I have kept my response this thread to avoid propagating this seeming dialogue of the deaf all over the site.

I bought both types of plug and made a choice of what I want to use for my own equipment. I invite you all to do the same.

 

[iijakii]

Because you're being disingenuous and it took you skirting around the question a good, what, ten petty responses in the other thread before you even gave a reason for disliking them? Either put forth the effort to have a reasonable debate or stop posting.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/w...ost-expensive-piece-build-454170/#post5834051 a good example.

 

[MX1]

@MX1 If you are calling me out as a troll, let me respond. I have had a certain forum member, well represented in this discussion, in my earhole over and over asking me to justify my views on these plugs, which are apparently opposite to his. I have kept my response this thread to avoid propagating this seeming dialogue of the deaf all over the site.

I bought both types of plug and made a choice of what I want to use for my own equipment. I invite you all to do the same.

First and foremost, if I was calling you out, I would have done so by name.
Second, trolling as in the fishing term, not the internet troll.
Third, there are others that seem to have issue with the plugs, and that is fine, hell, I will go as far as saying it is a good thing. It leads to more research and a different options.

What I do not understand is why you or anyone else that feels this is not the option for them would continue to stay so engaged in this thread.

If I did not like simcoe hops, I would not be in a thread about using them.....but that is just me.

Tim

 

[runs4beer]

You cannot fit 4x 6 AWG wires inside these connectors, there physically is not space to do so. So how can they handle 50 Amps continuous power? It doesn't pass the smell test.

4/6 AWG solid core wire such as Romex will fit in the side the plug housing.

The power needs of audio equipment are not the same as the power needs of an electric stove.

Power supply for lightning is; as both are a resistance load.

 

[augiedoggy]

The other thing in question here is how many are using these for a 50a load and how many are just using them for a 30, 23 or only 19a load.I bet very few here are using them for 50A if anyone.
... I myself use them for my elements... I can provide no real data on there use with 50a loads accept that switchcraft states thyey are not rated for a continuous 50A load if I read there specs correctly. I could have used one for my 30a main plug but I hardwired it.
As far as safety....thats been discussed by the professionals who rated and certified the connectors...
As far as why one manufacturer recommends them and one doesnt?... Well theres a very real possibility that one manufacturer has other products they are pushing for the job and perhaps those connectors are more expensive or they have a larger profit margin with the real manufacturer in china for them....

no different than the practice bestbuy sometimes uses on there display tv's they have been known (at least at some locations in the past ) to run high quality hdmi connections to some tv's they have been motivated to sell by suppliers and the other tv's on display will have either an inferior connection or inferior thrown off picture settings to make the "feature" product look better. on some of the larger commercial machinery I install and service the only real differences between some $50k high volume devices and $25k low volume are cosmetic and firmware to slow one model down or remove functionality.. Ive also seen them take a machine rated for 400,000ft of printing a month by the real manufacturer and rebrand it with an American brand name and sell it in the stated for a max of 50kft a month because it interferes with the marketing strategy of another product in there line...

 

[runs4beer]

Second, trolling as in the fishing term, not the internet troll.
Tim

For the sake of accuracy that would be spelled trawling

 

[MX1]

Well, for the record, I eat fish, not catch it....lol

 

[augiedoggy]

Well, for the record, I eat fish, not catch it....lol

"give a man a fish hell eat for a day" proverb comes to mind here..
lol

 

[MX1]

If I am catching fish then I am not rebuilding the brewery.....

I hope to install the panel mounts this weekend or next. Will post up some pics when I am done

 

[augiedoggy]

If I am catching fish then I am not rebuilding the brewery.....

I hope to install the panel mounts this weekend or next. Will post up some pics when I am done

well honestly I think.... Give a man a beer hes happy for an hour, teach him to make beer, hes happy for a lifetime has a better ring to it anyway..

 

[ryanhope]

Well theres a very real possibility that one manufacturer has other products they are pushing for the job and perhaps those connectors are more expensive or they have a larger profit margin with the real manufacturer in china for them....

^^ THIS. Its probably the case that Neutrik sells multiple projects rated for different jobs because they can and people can't think for them selves. A good comparison to these connectors is the blank CD industry. Some CDs are sold as "data" CDs others are sold as "music" and so on... They are all the same product in the end and can be used for the same things. But, because marketing knows people will fall for it, they label them for different uses then dick around with the prices.

 

[alien]

^^ THIS. Its probably the case that Neutrik sells multiple projects rated for different jobs because they can and people can't think for them selves. A good comparison to these connectors is the blank CD industry. Some CDs are sold as "data" CDs others are sold as "music" and so on... They are all the same product in the end and can be used for the same things. But, because marketing knows people will fall for it, they label them for different uses then dick around with the prices.

It sounds to me like you don't know a whole lot about Neutrik's products or what they are for.

Ask yourself these questions of speakON or Switchcraft HPC.

Is there a premating ground?
Are there dedicated, labelled Hot/Neutral/Ground terminals?
Is hot plugging an option?

 

[augiedoggy]

is there a dedicated hot / neutral and ground labeled on a hot water tank element?
as long as some intelligence and common sense and understanding is used in wiring them up (just like needed with the element) then whats the Issue here?
if you have absolutely no idea what your doing and that the wires should line up with the same pins at the other end of the outlet than these are not for you... You need monkey safe pictures and labels to tell you what to do.

they are universal connectors that are heavy duty enough to do the job for a DIY makeshift device... just like the rest of the control panel or brewery. once they are safetly installed there is no way to plug them in incorrectly and dedicated wire labels are no longer a factor.

My XLR connectors for the sensos did not have designated labels explaining the use of each pin either?? because they are also universal connectors.

 

[LandoLincoln]

^^ THIS. Its probably the case that Neutrik sells multiple projects rated for different jobs because they can and people can't think for them selves. A good comparison to these connectors is the blank CD industry. Some CDs are sold as "data" CDs others are sold as "music" and so on... They are all the same product in the end and can be used for the same things. But, because marketing knows people will fall for it, they label them for different uses then dick around with the prices.

Actually, there were some burners on the market that only used "music" blank CD's. My brother in law had a stereo component that burned audio CD's but it would only accept the special CD's that were branded "music." Some kind of stupid DRM was encoded onto each (nearly) blank disc.

 

[augiedoggy]

Actually, there were some burners on the market that only used "music" blank CD's. My brother in law had a stereo component that burned audio CD's but it would only accept the special CD's that were branded "music." Some kind of stupid DRM was encoded onto each (nearly) blank disc.

hmm ok I got one....
home depot sells a 50a gfci protected spa panel for $59... the same 50a gfci breaker without the included spa panel box is $90?? located on the same shelf.
marketing? its like contractor grade vs consumer... sometimes there a quality difference and sometimes that difference is a non issue for the application.

Marketing is bigger than any actual product these days... look at autolite sparkplugs... bought by honeywell and shut down except for some engineers... now that are all made by the cheapest bidders in 3rd word countries under contract and license to use the name... I bought 4 plugs for my old kitcar and found even though they were the same part number they looked different and were made in 3 different countries!
FRAM oil filters... they are one of the poorest made highest failure filters made from paper/cardboard and glue and often fall apart and filter little.... but most consumers think they are one of the best brands.they are smart and spend more on marketing than the product... why? marketing and a brand name that once meant something resembling quality. (also now owned by honeywell)

 

[Mojzis]

Has anyone used the Neutrik NL4FX connectors? They seem to be built fairly better than the switchcrafts as far as the locking mechanism.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BERXW6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[jeffmeh]

Has anyone used the Neutrik NL4FX connectors? They seem to be built fairly better than the switchcrafts as far as the locking mechanism.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BERXW6/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

From http://www.neutrik.com/en/speakon/spx-series/nl4fx

Attention

speakON is NOT to be used as an AC mains or power supply connector!