In article ,
RadioGuy wrote:

However, if the dovetails are altered (redesign of the injection mold) the
connectors can be oriented 'on top of ' as opposed to the current 'side by
side' orientation ---the new design will then allow the connectors halves to
mate only ONE way. The connectors will no longer be 'mirrored' and as the
'PowerPole' connectors do not posess a gender a standard will be required
regarding which connector half is used for the supply side and which is used
for the equipment side.

This would eliminate the perceived (and actual) benefit of having a
genderless arrangment, which lets you plug a battery into a radio
(acting as a supply) or into a charger or power supply (acting as a
load, for recharging), or into a distribution panel alongside radio
connections (acting as a floating backup to a mains-powered supply).

It is highly unlikely that Anderson will redesign
the 'PowerPole' connector to meet the needs of the Ham community.

Agreed.

It amazes me that this connector, with the potential of short-circuit from
misalignment, could be considered a standard for power connections of
emergency communications equipment.

The PowerPoles have been around for quite a while, and have seen a lot
of use in fields other than ham radio. I'm curious as to whether you
can cite evidence that the problem you forsee, actually occurs in
practice?

In review of the literature no mention
is made of the possibility of improperly mating of these connectors. This
must be the first time in my experience that equipment and power source must
be fused to prevent a short-circuit resulting from improper connector
mating---unbelievable.

All power sources must be fused, in any case, in order to provide
protection against short circuits. In a mobile setting, it's canon
that both the hot and neutral should be fused, as close to the battery
as possible, in order to avoid dangerous ground-wire currents if the
alternator ground wire pops loose from the battery.

I'm not convinced that the PowerPole arrangement requires any
additional fusing, above and beyond what's normal and appropriate for
ham gear. Proper fusing on the hot side of the source ought to be
sufficient to result in an immediate fuse-blow under any PowerPole
misconnection arrangment I've been able to envision.

As I see it, if a PowerPole set is correctly wired, there are four
ways to try to mate it.

One is correct, and works. One has the connectors rotated 180 degrees
out of phase - doesn't mate, no problem.

One way has them rotated correctly, but offset in one direction -
radio's "hot" goes to supply ground, radio's ground is unconnected (or
occurs via the antenna or chassis mount). This one seems completely
benign, as the radio is connected only to ground - radio doesn't power
up, but there seems to be no potential for damage.

The fourth case is the only arguably problematic one, as it connects
the supply hot to the radio ground. This seems very likely to blow
the supply fuse, either instantly or the moment the radio chassis
touches ground. I don't see the need for a separate fuse in the
radio's own ground lead, as long as the supply fuse is of the proper
value for the installation.

I think the 'PowerPole' connector has the earmark
of a classic 'Ham boondoggle'.

I concede the possibility, in principle, of mismatings of the sort you
mention. I've not ever heard of any occurring in practice.

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
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