400V Plugs FAQs
Questions about three-phase 400V industrial plugs for welders, machines and power tools.
What is a red 400V plug and what is it used for?
Red industrial plugs are the usual colour for three-phase supplies in the 380 to 480V band, which includes 400V. They belong to the international IEC 60309 family of industrial plugs and sockets (sometimes called CEE or commando type), and are used for three-phase welders, compressors, machine tools and similar equipment.
The colour shows the voltage group only. The pin layout, current rating and keying also have to match the socket, so the plug has to suit both the equipment and the supply it is plugged into.
How do I know whether my equipment needs 4 pin or 5 pin?
Check the equipment's data plate and instruction manual. They normally state the supply, for example three phase with or without neutral, and the current the equipment draws. The manual also shows how the supply cable and plug should be connected.
If the manual only mentions three phases and earth, a 4 pin plug is normally what is meant. If it mentions a neutral conductor, you need the 5 pin type. If you cannot tell, ask a qualified electrician or the equipment maker before choosing.
What do IP44 and IP67 mean on an industrial plug?
The IP code describes protection against solids and water. IP44 is a splash-proof rating and is commonly the minimum for this type of plug, suitable for workshops and sheltered outdoor areas. IP67 means dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion, and is used for wet, harsh or washdown conditions.
The rating only applies when the cable entry is correctly sealed and the plug is properly engaged in a matching socket. A good plug body with a poorly fitted cable gland can still let water in.
Will any red 400V plug fit any red socket?
No. Colour, pin count, current rating and the position of the earth contact (the clock position, such as 6h) must all agree. Each voltage and configuration has its own earth position, and moulded keyways stop a plug going into a socket that does not match.
Two parts that look alike can still be incompatible if the keyway or earth position differs. Never force a plug into a socket or modify either to make it fit. Check the markings and the data sheet, and use a plug that matches the socket.