Product Description
Touring power distribution rigs demand panel-mounted inlets that withstand repeated load-in and load-out cycles without connection degradation. The PowerFit 400A Panel Source connector in black delivers a male contact with a patent key-release pin mechanism, enabling technicians to establish and break 400A connections quickly and safely during fast-paced production turnarounds. The M12 threaded post mount secures the connector to generator panels, distro boxes, and mobile power trucks with brass nut and spring washer retention, while the IP 2X finger protection cap shields the energized male contact from accidental touch during setup.
Key Features
- 400A continuous current capacity at 120mm squared cable; 660A continuous at 240mm squared cable for heavy-duty applications
- Male contact design provides the power source pin for mating with Line Drain or Panel Drain connectors
- Patent key-release pin with POM (Polyoxymethylene) cotter pin enables tool-free disconnection without risking contact damage
- M12 threaded post with brass nut and spring washer for permanent, vibration-resistant panel installation
- Four diameter 5.5mm fixing holes on flange (42mm x 42mm cut-out dimension) ensure secure mechanical mounting
- Plastic end cap over male contact provides IP 2X finger protection against electric shock when unmated
- Push-and-twist locking mechanism maintains positive mechanical engagement across 500 rated mating cycles
- Brass contact with silver plating delivers 0.1 milliohms contact resistance for minimal voltage drop and heat generation
- Non-conductive thermoplastic housing rated UL94-V0 flame retardant for safety-critical installations
- IP67 rating while connected ensures protection against water and dust ingress in outdoor or washdown environments
- 1000V AC / 1500V DC maximum voltage rating with 4500V AC dielectric test voltage for substantial safety margins
- Maximum nut torque: 12 to 14 N/meter for proper fastening without over-tightening
Certifications & Standards
- TUV Rheinland certified (ID 1111303479) - Type Approved, Safety, Regular Production Surveillance
- CE marked for European market compliance
- RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant
- REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) compliant
- UL94-V0 flame retardancy classification for the housing material
- IP67 environmental protection rating while mated (dust-tight, resistant to temporary submersion)
- Short circuit capacity: Up to 35.5 kiloamperes
- Insulation resistance: Greater than 5000 megohms at 500V AC
- Working temperature range: 45 to 85 degrees Celsius
Applications
- Generator connection panels and mobile power distribution trucks for touring productions
- Entertainment industry main power distribution units handling 400A per phase
- Industrial switchgear enclosures and motor control center (MCC) panel inlets
- Data center power distribution units (PDUs) requiring hot-swappable connections
- Broadcast facility power rooms and outside broadcast (OB) vehicle power inlets
- Renewable energy inverter cabinets and battery energy storage system (BESS) panels
- Temporary power infrastructure for construction sites and large-scale events
Compatibility
The PowerFit 400A Panel Source connector is compatible with major brands of single-pole power connector systems. Its M12 threaded post interface and push-and-twist mating mechanism with key-release pin ensure standardized connection geometry across certified suppliers. The male contact mates with PowerFit Line Drain and Panel Drain connectors. Verify mechanical and electrical specifications with your mating connector manufacturer to confirm impedance matching and safe operating parameters. Use the color-coded and mechanically keyed design as a visual safeguard to prevent cross-phase connection errors during installation or reconfiguration.
Phase / Wire Color Convention
| Region | L1 | L2 | L3 | N | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA 120/208V 1 | Green / G-Y | ||||
| NA 277/480V 2 | Green / G-Y | ||||
| IEC 60446 3 | Green-Yellow | ||||
| AU/NZ Legacy 4 | Green-Yellow | ||||
| China 5 | Green-Yellow |
1 North America 120/208V (NEMA / NEC) 2 North America 277/480V (NEMA / NEC) 3 Europe, UK, Australia (current IEC 60446)
4 Australia / New Zealand legacy (pre-IEC) 5 China (GB 50303) G-Y = Green-Yellow (earth/ground)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PFPS-1BK and why is it the starting point of power distribution?
PFPS-1BK is a KUPO PowerFit 400A panel source connector with a black housing, identifying Line 1 (L1) under North America (NEC) conventions. Mounted permanently at generator outputs, main panels, and power supply enclosures, it is the origin point from which power flows outward through the PowerFit system. Despite being panel-mounted, it retains the key-release mechanism for convenient field disconnection. It is commonly deployed in outdoor music festival applications. When power cables stretch across a rain-soaked festival ground, IP67 protection is not a luxury.
What electrical capacity does PFPS-1BK provide as a panel source connector?
PFPS-1BK is rated for 400 amperes continuous with 120mm2 cable, scaling to 660 amperes with 240mm2 cable. The maximum voltage rating is 1000V AC or 1500V DC. The silver-plated brass contact achieves a contact resistance of just 0.1 milliohms, significantly reducing resistive heating compared to plain brass contacts at sustained high-current loads. This low resistance is particularly important for L1 circuits carrying continuous phase current.
What does the black housing on PFPS-1BK represent under North America (NEC) standards?
Under North American NEC conventions, black identifies the first line conductor (L1) in a three-phase system. It is the default phase conductor for single-phase 120V branch circuits and the standard L1 in three-phase configurations alongside red (L2) and blue (L3). Black L1 conductors carry the bulk of single-phase loads in commercial and industrial settings. On the Panel Source, the black housing is visible on the connector face at the power origin point. Color coding at the source end of the distribution chain is especially important because phase assignment errors at the panel propagate through every downstream connection. Because black appears in multiple phase conventions worldwide, the PowerFit phase-encoded SKU system (1BK vs 2BK vs NBK) prevents dangerous cross-convention mix-ups.
What safety certifications does PFPS-1BK hold for distribution panel use?
PFPS-1BK is TUV Rheinland certified (ID 1111303479) under Type Approval, Safety, and Regular Production Surveillance categories. It also carries CE marking, RoHS compliance (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), and REACH compliance. The housing material achieves a UL94-V0 flammability rating, which is the highest classification for vertical flame resistance in plastics, meaning the material self-extinguishes within 10 seconds with no flaming drips. As the power origin point, the Panel Source undergoes the same TUV safety evaluation as the full PowerFit system, including the key-release mechanism and panel-mount retention.
How is PFPS-1BK mounted in a distribution panel or generator output?
The PFPS-1BK mounts through a 42 x 42mm panel cutout using four 5.5mm fixing holes. The M12 threaded post secures to the panel with the included brass nut and washer at 12 to 14 N/m maximum torque. Despite being a permanent panel-mount connector, PFPS-1BK retains the PowerFit key-release mechanism, allowing field technicians to disconnect mating Line Drain connectors without tools. IP 2X finger protection and a plastic end cap protect the contacts when no mating connector is present. The Panel Source has a 55.3mm flange width and 50.7mm total depth, with a 42.5mm body diameter. It is shallower than the Panel Drain, requiring less clearance behind the panel.
What equipment and enclosures is PFPS-1BK designed to mount in?
PowerFit connectors are designed to be compatible with major brands of single-pole power connector. The sealed push-and-twist connection keeps moisture out even when cables lie in puddles, and the color-coded housings let crews trace phases across hundreds of meters of temporary cabling. For L1 circuits using North America (NEC) color conventions, the black PFPS-1BK ensures that phase identification remains consistent when mixing PowerFit connectors with existing inventory.