Here is an article that appeared in our local (Milwaukee,WI) newspaper today.
http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/feb04/207825.asp
A little background: Thomas More high school is a local private school. Marquette and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) are universities within city limits...
Most plugs and receptacles are rated as a mated unit. When a mfg advertises an IP rating it will usually be for the mated pair. Keep in mind that some styles require additional mechanical operations in order to achieve the highest IP rating. Other styles (brands) achieve the max rating...
hacksaw,
interlocks are not needed with all brands. Some are rated to be disconnects and plugs/receptacles in one device.
Your statements are true for typical pin and sleeve devices.
Be carefull with the Arktite devices. I don't think they are rated or have been tested to make and break under full load. Be even more carefull if you need a horsepower rating for making and breaking. May I suggest Meltric as an alternative. Their devices carry a UL 98 switch rating...
mvsub,
What voltage and amperage are you needing. As grobert suggested, there are manufacturers that make plugs and receptacles with UL switch ratings. These can be made and broken under full load. They do not cost much more than a standard plug and interlock mechanism.
