Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
(OP)
Yikes. I thought I had seen everything.
A certain company that shall remain nameless, is using Twin-BNC connectors (just like a normal BNC connector, except with TWO conductors in the middle: an exposed pin and a somewhat insulated socket) to connect an external power source to a load within their product.
(Amphenol P/N 31-224, intended for RG-108A/U cable)
I figure that misusing a BNC-type connector like this would be fine for low voltage DC. But they offer the same system with a 240VAC requirement (!) for example.
My view is that using this sort of connector for anything above low voltage (like 28 VDC) is so rife with safety violations that there is absolutely no way that it could ever be permitted.
Any alternate views on this issue? Am I missing something? Would it ever be permitted? (Location is in Canada in case that matters.)
Thanks.
A certain company that shall remain nameless, is using Twin-BNC connectors (just like a normal BNC connector, except with TWO conductors in the middle: an exposed pin and a somewhat insulated socket) to connect an external power source to a load within their product.
(Amphenol P/N 31-224, intended for RG-108A/U cable)
I figure that misusing a BNC-type connector like this would be fine for low voltage DC. But they offer the same system with a 240VAC requirement (!) for example.
My view is that using this sort of connector for anything above low voltage (like 28 VDC) is so rife with safety violations that there is absolutely no way that it could ever be permitted.
Any alternate views on this issue? Am I missing something? Would it ever be permitted? (Location is in Canada in case that matters.)
Thanks.





RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
The only available (as far as I can see) mating connector for the field-installed wiring is designed for RG-108A/U twinaxial cable. With 20-ga conductors. Not really intended for commercial power...
Not to mention, the product is for outdoor use only. In the humidity & condensation, and maybe even the rain...
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
If no UL mark, it would be a problem in the US, I would think.
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
It better not be approved by any standards agency.. But I wouldn't be suprised.
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
If we have no choice, then we will use the low voltage DC option to avoid all the obvious risks, but this means we have to add a power supply into what would have otherwise been a very simple system.
It would have been so much easier to just connect the product to a normal 120 VAC commercial power source, if only they hadn't decided to use an inappropriate connector.
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
Yes, they don't.
The subsystem at the top can be selected to use either low voltage DC (my preference), or the 120, 240, 277 VAC options. All powered via the Twin-BNC connector at the bottom end of the assembled product.
They really should, for the higher voltage options, just drill out the connector mounting hole and let the (appropriate and approved) power cable emerge in a 20-foot long pigtail to be terminated by the electrician.
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
I wonder if this is just an issue of you assuming they use the same connector...
Skotty is right though about who knows what else they didn't engineer properly.. I would look elsewhere for whatever it is you need from them as they obviously don't know what they are doing.
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
The issue is genuine - for example, when I asked about the exposed pin in the power side connector, they suggested that the 'Neutral' be wired to that exposed pin in the connector.
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power
FCC doesn't care about safety.
RE: Using Twin-BNC connector for commercial power