Question about Anderson PowerPoles

[wmarshall11]

Originally Posted by adciv

I don't know if contact area is the same, but contact resistance is higher with the PP30s over the PP45s. Per spec on a 12AWG wire, the PP30s will rise 30C at 30A while the PP45s will rise ~17 in a single pole configuration. In multipole, the charts don't go up that high for the PP30.

We're looking at the same charts, right?





Temperature rise is exactly the same at 30A with 12AWG according to the datasheets on PowerWerx.

[dvanvoorst]

We used the 30 for everything except for the motor controllers themselves. The newer motor controller wires will not fit into the 30s, but regular 12 gauge wire fits fine. We like the 30 because they are easier to crimp - you just slide them on, slip it in the tool and crimp. The 45s take a little more balance and coordination.

[adciv]

Originally Posted by wmarshall11

We're looking at the same charts, right?

Temperature rise is exactly the same at 30A with 12AWG according to the datasheets on PowerWerx.

$@#$@#$@#$@#, I either need more coffee or more sleep. I was looking at the solid line for both of those, and I had even noted I needed to compare solid to dashed.

[FrankJ]

Realize ratings have a lot of assumptions built in. Sustained use and long term durability act as derating factors. The difference between the 30 & 45 amp connectors are more about the wire gauge the anything else. I would use the connector that gives the best crimp for the wire you are using without trimming strands to make it fit. I suspect this logic is why we use a 50 amp power pole for the battery which pulling way more than 50 amps at times.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Guys,
The temperature rise is over a specified period of time, for UL ratings that is 24 hours at continuous specified current. The 30 and 45 amp contacts are interchangeable on FRC robots, as other have pointed out, as they have the same contact area. Temperature rise is also a function of the size of wire that is crimped to the contact. #12 or #10 will draw away greater heat from the contact than #14 wire will.
In nearly 100% of the failed contacts I have examined, the excess heat was caused by a contact not being fully inserted in the housing, or a poor crimp on the wire. Anything that will increase the series resistance of the contact will increase the overall heat. This holds true for any style including the WAGOs on the PDP, the SB50 on the battery leads or the motor controllers and motors.
I did find one contact that had been used and abused repeatedly and that contact had worn through the housing due to the excessive movement of the wire and loose contact spring. It eventually made contact with the other conductor in the two block housing. The resulting short created the heat.