white, red, blue, and green powerpole connectors stacked on top of orange blocks against an orange background
white, red, blue, and green powerpole connectors stacked on top of orange blocks against an orange background

What are Powerpole® Connectors?

Powerpole® connectors from Anderson Power feature an interchangeable, genderless design with color-coded housings.


How to Prepare for an Electric Future

The world is continuing to move toward electrification. The market for outdoor power equipment alone is projected to grow from $35.51 billion in 2024 to $54.23 billion by 2032. In the meantime, advancements in technology and rising power requirements are driving growth in markets like robotics, solar chargers, and LED lighting. Prefabricated modular offices are also on the rise.

Figure 1 A white Powerpole connector.

The industry is expected to increase from $104.1 billion today to $140.8 billion by 2029, showcasing a bright future for this innovative and efficient construction method.

 

Anderson Power is ready for these developments. With interconnect solutions that deliver maximum power in a compact footprint, Anderson Power connectors are designed with the electric future in mind. Manfred Wack, a Regional Sales Manager for Anderson Power, said this about the drive for innovation:

“Every day working at Anderson Power brings new challenges, but also new and encouraging discoveries to meet the challenges of our electrified future,” said Wack.

 

As engineers design electrified equipment in a variety of new and booming industries, they need reliable connectors that are customizable for any situation and handle higher power demands with ease. That’s where Powerpole connectors from Anderson Power play a crucial role.

 

 

 

What are Powerpole Electrical Connectors?
 

two blue powerpole connectors

Figure 2A close-up of a Powerpole connector.

Powerpole is a versatile connector series that’s adaptable to many types of power connection needs. With an interchangeable, genderless design, Powerpole connectors are quick to assemble and easily expandable – an important benefit in today’s rapidly-evolving technological landscape.

 

Additional features of the Powerpole connector series include:
 

  • Powerful Connections: Accommodates currents up to 350A
  • Wide Wire Range: Accommodates wires from #20 AWG (0.75 mm²) to 3/0 (70 mm²)
  • Compact Design: Saves space while delivering maximum power
  • Configurability: Housings support wire-to-wire, wire-to-board, or wire-to-busbar connections
  • Temperature Range: Safe from -20°C to 105°C (-4° F to 221°F)
  • Low Resistance Connection: Silver- or tin-plated contacts inside housings strongly force the contacts together
  • Hot Plugging AC or DC: Contacts feature a sacrificial tip that allows high current circuit interrupt

What are the Four Powerpole Housing Sizes?

comparison chart with four powerpole connector drawings

The Powerpole series’ versatility stems from its four unique housing sizes. Each size is color-coded and designed for different wire ranges. The housings can be stacked to form a customized, reliable connector suited to any situation.
 

Listed from smallest to largest, the housing sizes include:
 

1. Powerpole 15/45

a. Wire Size: #20 AWG (0.75 mm²) to #10 (6 mm²)

b. Power Density: Up to 55 amps per pole

c. Additional Features: Finger-proof housings are available, protecting against accidental contact with live currents.
 

2. Powerpole 75

a. Wire Size: #16 AWG (1.3 mm²) to #6 (13.3 mm²)

b. Power Density: Up to 120 amps per pole

c. Additional Features: Can be used with wire, PCB, and busbar contacts.
 

3. Powerpole 120

a.  Wire Size: #6 AWG (13.3 mm²) to #1/0 (53.5 mm²) wires

b. Power Density: Up to 240 amps per pole

c. Additional Features: UL rated for hot plugging up to 60 amps.
 

4. Powerpole 180
 

a. Wire Size: #10 AWG (5.3 mm²) to #3/0 (70 mm²) wires

b. Power Density: Up to 350 amps per pole

c. Additional Features: Can be used with wire contacts or busbar contacts. UL rated for hot plugging up to 75 amps.
 

How Can You Use Powerpole in Your Electric Designs?

 

Powerpole is a versatile, all-in-one solution that can be used in a variety of designs and industries. With a modular configuration that enables expansion, Powerpole can be integrated into many applications, including:

 

  • Electric Lawn Mowers: With a finger-proof housing option and reliable performance up to 55A, Powerpole is the ideal connector for small electric lawn mower designs.
  • Garden Tools: Powerpole is the perfect choice for electric garden tools such as pole saws, ensuring secure and efficient connections.
  • Modular Offices: Powerpole enables quick and easy electrical installations for modular offices, allowing you to build and modify power systems.
  • LED Lighting: With color-coded housings and a simple installation process, Powerpole is well-suited for LED lighting applications. Powerpole seamlessly connects power supply drivers to fixtures and accessories via proprietary speed whips.
  • Humidification Systems: Powerpole delivers high-quality connections in commercial and industrial humidification systems where reliability is crucial.
  • Robotics: Powerpole is a versatile connector option for robotics. The receptacle side can be used with both wire or PCB contacts, making it ideal for panel to panel, bulkhead to bulkhead, or rack mount applications.
  • Industrial Ovens: Powerpole ensures dependable power connections for industrial ovens, with a compact connector size that facilitates quicker repairs and minimizes downtime.
  • Solar Chargers: With a 12V output and easy plug-in capability, Powerpole is suited for solar chargers.

 

How Can You Prepare for the Future of Electrification?

 

As engineers work toward an electrified future, they require connectors that can handle the demands of increased power within a compact footprint. Powerpole connectors meet this need, combining high quality materials with a cost-effective and innovative design for powerful versatility.

When you need reliable connectors for your electrified equipment, modular office, LED lighting system, or more, Powerpole connectors from Anderson Power provide a durable solution.