Belgium Heavy duty plugs and sockets

 

Besides IEC 60309 plugs and sockets, Belgium also has a series of devices for non-industrial, indoor use that have pin configurations according to the IEC 60309 standard. Three 400V, 16A plugs and sockets manufactured by Vynckier Frères & Co., Belgium, are shown below. A comparable 400V, 32A series exists also. Image nos. 9-16 shows examples of classic plugs and sockets.

 

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1, 5	Socket and plug rated at 400V, 16A, 2P + earth (single phase). R1, S2 and T3 (see nos. 2 and 3) are alternative designations for three phase conductors L1, L2 and L3. Image 5 shows the Vynckier Frères & Co. logo found on nos 1 - 8.
2, 6	Socket and plug rated at 400V, 16A, 3P + earth (three-phase).
3, 7	Socket and plug rated at 400V, 16A, 3P + N + earth.
4, 8	Socket and plug rated at 400V, 32A, 3P + N + earth. The 32A series of 3-, 4- and 5-pin 32A plugs and sockets have the same appearance and pin configuration as the 16A series, but they are 15% larger.
note	Production of the shown Vynckier sockets and plugs has been transferred from Ghent, Belgium to ABB Elektro-Praga, Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic and sold under Vynckier/ABB brand. Details about the relation between Vynckier and Elektro Praga are given on the manufacturers page, section Belgium. The 2- and 3-phase material is designed for domestic, indoor use (stoves, dryers etc.). On purpose, industrial type IEC 600309 plugs does not fit in these Vynckier sockets, among others because of the raised elements (3-, 4- or 5-point star). IEC plugs have a key on the outside of the circular housing that corresponds to the position of the protective earth pin. IEC sockets have a notch that aligns with the key on the plug housing. Such notches are missing on Belgian 400V sockets. Vynckier plugs fit in corresponding IEC 60309 sockets, but pin length differ. The three Vynckier line pins (R1, S2 and T3) are too short to make contact. Contact of the N pin is limited to only a few mm.

 

Classic, Bakelite material made by Vynckier Frères & Co.

9	Single phase 10A - 250V 2-pin plug. Pin diameter: 5 mm; pin length: 18.8 mm; pin spacing [center to center]: 25.8 mm (≈ 1'). Vynckier product number: 30507.   {WN}
10, 11	Three phase 10A - 250V 3-pin plug and connector. Pin diameter: 5 mm; pin length: 18.4-19.0 mm. Pins are positioned in an equilateral triangle with sides of 19.0 mm. Vynckier product numbers: 30510 (plug) and 30610 (connector).   {WN}
note	Plugs and connectors identical to nos. 10 and 11 have also been made - and used - in Italy; see item nos. 10 - 12 on page about Italian three-phase material. A remarkable difference is that Belgian plugs were rated at 10A - 250V, while technically fully identical Italian plugs were rated at 15A - 250V. French 3-pin 3-phase plugs rated at 10-15A - 250V had a different pin spacing.
12	Three phase 10A - 250V 4-pin plug. Pin diameter: 4.8 mm (power), 5.7 (earth); pin length: 19 mm. Pins are positioned in a square with sides of 19 mm. Vynckier product number: 30514.   {WN}
13, 14	Two phase 25A - 250V 3-pin socket and plug. Pin diameter: 6 mm (power), 7 mm (earth*); pin length: 24 mm; Pins are positioned in an equilateral triangle with sides of 28 mm. Vynckier product numbers: 30668 (socket) and 30518 (plug).   {WN}
15, 16	Three phase 25A - 250V 4-pin socket and plug. Pin diameter: 6 mm (power), 7 mm (earth*); pin length: 23.3 mm: Spacing of power pins: 28 mm, power pin - earth pin spacing: 24 mm. Vynckier product numbers: 30670 (socket) and 30520 (plug).   {WN}
	* socket indicates neutral contact, whereas corresponding plug pin indicates earth.

17 - 20	Single phase. earthed 15A - 380V 3-pin plug and connector. Pin sized and spacing are given in image no. 18. The plug earth pin makes contact first when plugged into the connector, because of the 7 mm longer earth contact (see image no. 20) Vynckier product numbers: 30535 (plug) and 30635 (connector).   {WN}
dating of 9 - 20	Plugs, connectors and sockets shown in images 9 - 16 are mentioned in the 1930 and 1937 Vynckier catalogs. Plug no. 17 and connector no. 19 are not shown in the 1930 catalog, but are mentioned in the 1937 edition. Each of the items in the museum collection have been made in the 1950s - '60s.

 

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