3 Pin Industrial Socket: Uses, IP55 and Switch

An easy mistake with a 3 pin industrial socket is ordering on the amp rating alone, then finding the pin count or voltage was not what the job needed. The MYW M66C310 is listed as a 3 pin, 10A, 250V AC surface-mount industrial socket with an integrated on/off switch and a polycarbonate IP55 enclosure. The other MYW sockets in the range change one or more of those numbers, so a comparison against the M66C310 is quick.

What Is a 3 Pin Industrial Socket Used For?

A 3 pin industrial socket like the M66C310 is listed for power outlets in industrial and commercial settings, and the Schnap listing for the MYW 3 pin 10A industrial socket spells out where. On the industrial side it names machinery, equipment and workshops, and on the commercial side it names facilities, workshops and outdoor use. Those two lines are a useful starting point before any number on the specification table is read.

The M66C310 is a 3 pin, 10A, 250V AC surface-mount industrial socket with an integrated on/off switch and a polycarbonate IP55 enclosure. The listing gives the pole configuration as 3 pins (with earth) and the mounting as surface mount. The enclosure, size and weight details are covered in the next section.

For anyone comparing an industrial socket across the range, the M66C310 is rated 10A, level with the 4 pin 10A socket and below the 3 pin 15A, 4 pin 20A, 32A and 40A versions. That makes it a natural reference point for the comparison in the next sections. The other sockets are named on the listing by title only, so their detail sits on their own product pages.

Can an IP55 Industrial Socket Be Used Outdoors?

The Schnap listing states indoor and outdoor use for the M66C310 and describes its IP55 rating as dust and water protected. In an IP code the first digit relates to protection against dust and solid objects and the second to protection against water, so IP55 is the level stated for both. That is why the listing's indoor and outdoor wording is worth reading alongside the code.

The enclosure is polycarbonate, and the listing gives the dimensions as 120mm x 70mm x 80mm (H x L x W) with a weight of 0.5 kg. A surface-mount unit is easier to plan if you check that footprint against the mounting spot before ordering. The listing gives the IP55 rating for this same enclosure, so material, size and weight are all stated for one unit.

The IP55 rating, polycarbonate enclosure and dimensions above are stated for the M66C310 only. The 15A and 4 pin sockets in the range have their own listings, so check each model's enclosure details on its product page before ordering a different one. Outdoor use appears on the M66C310 listing under the commercial heading, next to facilities and workshops.

Is There an Industrial Socket With an On/Off Switch?

Yes, the M66C310 has an integrated on/off power switch. The listing names the switch as a feature of the M66C310, in the same line as its indoor and outdoor suitability. The switch and the 10A, 250V AC rating belong to the same unit, so one listing covers both.

The listing says installation must be carried out by a licensed electrician, with proper wiring and circuit protection and secure mounting to a suitable surface. Fixed wiring work in Australia generally needs a licensed electrician, and the rules differ between states, so confirm the requirements for the job. The equipment's rating plate is where its current rating is normally found, and switch mechanisms are covered separately in the Switch Amp Rating Guide.

The warranty terms deserve a read before the job. The listing says the standard manufacturer warranty is valid only with licensed electrician installation, is void if the socket is installed by non-licensed personnel, and requires the installation certificate to be retained. That makes the installation certificate part of the job records.

Which MYW Socket Suits Which Job?

The M66C310 suits a job that calls for 3 pins, 10A and 250V, and a job that needs a higher amp rating or 4 pins points to another socket in the range. The 3 pin 15A socket is listed at 250V, and the sockets at 500V are the 4 pin 10A, 4 pin 20A, 4 pin 32A and 4 pin 40A versions. Pins, amps and voltage are the three numbers to compare across these models.

The listing for the M66C310 does not state the plug pin type, so confirm it against the plug before ordering, and see the industrial plugs range for the plug side. The installation and warranty terms above come from the M66C310 listing, and the other sockets in the range have their own listings. Choose the model from the list at the end of this article once the job's numbers are known.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of industrial socket are there?

The MYW sockets listed at Schnap are 3 pin models at 250V and 4 pin models at 500V, and the M66C310 is a surface-mount, switched 3 pin socket rated 10A at 250V AC.

How big is an industrial socket?

The M66C310 measures 120mm x 70mm x 80mm (H x L x W) and weighs 0.5 kg, according to the Schnap listing.

Which standard does the M66C310 listing refer to?

The listing names AS/NZS 3000, the Wiring Rules for electrical installations. That is the rule set for the installation work, not a certification of the product itself.

Shop Industrial Sockets at Schnap

Trade pricing is available on the sockets below, and orders are dispatched same day from Kingsgrove NSW.

• Industrial Socket 3 Pin 10A 250V IP55 MYW
• Industrial Socket 3 Pin 15A 250V MYW
• Industrial Socket 4 Pin 10A 500V MYW
• Industrial Socket 4 Pin 20A 500V MYW
• Industrial Socket 4 Pin 32A 500V MYW
• Industrial Socket 4 Pin 40A 500V MYW

See the full Industrial Plugs & Sockets range at Schnap.