Residential and industrial electrical supply differ in a few key areas. The first delivers single-phase 230V power to run everyday appliances and devices such as TVs, computers and kitchen appliances, whereas workshops, manufacturing plants and warehouses all depend on three-phase 415V to run power-hungry equipment, including large conveyor lines, presses, and packaging machines. The benefits of three-phase power cannot be more understated.
This brings three times the available amount of power over single-phase wiring at any given time. considering the differences in wiring layouts, and an interrupted flow of power to equipment and machines even during electrical faults. There’s more safety and less risk of unwanted property damage, provided all equipment is connected with the right plugs and sockets.
The household name for all things electrical in Australia is Clipsal. This company has been supplying local and international customers with innovative, durable and safe products for both homes and businesses for the better part of a century. Homeowners know their iconic switchable double sockets, while tradespersons are well-served with the wide product selection in the Clipsal 56 series including industrial plugs, socket outlets, switches, junction boxes and switchgear accessories.
Overview of the 56 Series
56 Series Switches
Surface switches in the Clipsal 56 range vary from standard surface mounted switches with rotary dials, safety switches, single-phase types with sliding mechs, heavy-duty industrial variants, changeover and reversing switches and push-button control stations.
Standard varieties come either as single pole 250V 10A (56SW110), four-pole 440V 20A (56SW420), and three-pole 500V 63A (56SW363). All are rotary dial controlled and with locking mechs to ensure stable power supply, come with supplied earth and neutral connectors for high-gauge wiring (20A versions and upwards) and are built around an IP66 rating to safeguard against high-pressure water jets and dust ingress.
Safety switches with visible red knobs and yellow enclosures are used to shut down power in the case of electrical faults and mounted in areas with easy access. Sliding types come as 250 V single, intermediate and twin sliding switches, with amperage ratings from 10 to 15A, and IP56 protection. And heavy-duty 3 and 4-pole switches for powering large equipment and machinery come with extra deep enclosures for more wiring space, are DIN-compatible, and with amperage ratings from 25 to 80A.
Industrial switchgear in the 56 Series range also encompasses manual and automatic changeover and reversing switches to change the source of power supply, either in a 2 or 4 pole configuration and 500V ratings. And to facilitate safe and speedy operation, push-button switches in different button combinations, red for stopping and green for starting equipment, are also supplied with the same industrial IP66 ratings and durable builds.
Other Switch Options
Additional switches in the 56 Series include key-operated types with rotary handles to secure the switch in the on or off position, programmable timer switches for carefree operation, and sunset switches to operate lights. Switches can be found on their own or combined in modules and switched socket outlets. All can be optioned in colour-coded variants. Colour-coding is a standard feature across all 56 series products with standard white/grey applicable for most uses, and distinct orange enclosures where high chemical resistance is specified.
56 Series Outlets
The company’s socket outlets come in low, standard and high voltage varieties, with voltages ranging from 32 to 500V and amperage between 10 and 50A. All surface sockets in the series have protective flaps and latches to keep out water and dust, accommodate heavy-duty wiring and come with terminal housings moulded in tough polyester to minimise damage. Sockets can also be optioned in varying pin numbers and designs, from standard straight 3-pin designs in single phase applications, to round 5 and 7-pin sockets for high-voltage use. To get power to any equipment, these need to be connected with the corresponding plugs.
56 Series Plugs
You’ll find an extensive range of industrial plugs in both straight and angled designs in the Clipsal 56 Series line. All plugs come with screw rings to secure to the outlet and ensure no water or dust ingress. Specific design features, like transparent centre sections allow operators to check the condition of the connections and cable clamps.
Varieties include low voltage plugs with two flat parallel pins at 110V and 10A ratings, extra-low voltage plugs (32V and 15A), standard 250V types with amperage ranging between 10 and 32A and fitted with either 3 flat or round pins, and high-voltage types with up to 7 pins. Clipsal also has provided plug caps that keep them safe when not in use, as well as replacement parts like internal pin housings.
What Else is on Offer
The wide list of available products also includes extension sockets, socket and switch combos, motor starters, wall lights, mounting enclosures and accessories. The product line is noted for its high mechanical resistance, meaning all switchgear will last in knocks, impact from machinery or other equipment, and in minor or major accidents, with focus on consistent power supply. They also have high resistance to chemicals, including alkalis, alcohols, hydrocarbons and ketones, have quality inner and outer seals to deal with water and plated metal lids to resist corrosion. Lastly, switches, plugs, sockets in the 56 Series are also rated for temperature extremes, working flawlessly between -40 and +120 degrees.
