Anderson Powerpole^® Connectors

Powerpole Registry

Powerwerx is proud to host the "Official" Powerpole User Registry. By registering your group here, you will be helping to promote Anderson Powerpole connectors as the standard for interconnecting ability in power applications around the world.

Powerpole Assembly Instructions

First time using Powerpole connectors? Please read our Assembly Instructions with detailed photos.

Powerpole & SB Technical Data Sheets and Drawings

Anderson Power Products makes available detailed data sheets each Powerpole and SB product series, as well dimensional CAD generated engineering drawings for housings, contacts and most accessories. Please visit our Powerpole & SB Technical Data Sheets and Drawings page for a list of all available downloads.

15, 30 & 45 amp Powerpole connectors will mate with each other

The 15, 30 & 45 amp contacts all use the same housing. Therefore, they all connect to each other. The size of the flat contact area is actually the same for all contacts. The only difference between the 15, 30 & 45 amp contacts is the size of the receiving barrel that accepts the wire.

• 15 amp contacts are recommended for 20-16 gauge wire
• 30 amp contacts are recommended for 14-12 gauge wire
• 45 amp contacts are recommended for 10 gauge wire

What is a Powerpole "Set" or "Kit"?

A "Set" includes all parts needed for a single connector. For the 15, 30, 45 & 75 amp Powerpole connectors, a set is (1) Red housing, (1) Black housing, (2) contacts and (1) roll pin. For the 50, 120, 175 & 350 amp SB Series sets are (1) colored housing and (2) contacts.

SB Series have color-keyed housings

A unique feature of the SB Series Powerpole housings are that they are keyed to only mate with the same color housing. For example, a gray SB50 housing will only mate with other gray SB50 housings. A red SB175 housing will only mate with other red SB175 housings, etc. The exception for SB50 is the black housing, which also mates with the SB50 gray housing. The exception for SB175 is the black housing which is keyless and will make with all other colors. For SB350 there are no color mating exceptions.

The color-keyed feature can be used to color code different voltages or systems and prevent accidental connection.

What series Powerpole connector do I already have?

It is difficult for us to tell exactly what existing connector you have from a photo. The best way to ensure you are ordering the correct parts to mate with your existing connectors, is to check the technical drawing dimensions and compare a measurement to your connector. Technical data sheets and drawings are available as PDF downloads on each product page.

Crimping vs. Soldering

One of the many questions we receive is, "is it best to solder or crimp Anderson Powerpole Connectors?" While both methods will work, crimping an Anderson Powerpole connector to wire is much preferred for better long lasting results. It's important that each method be performed properly. If you are going to crimp, use a crimper that will not destroy the round shape of the contact. Some brands of crimpers deform the barrel of the contact into an oval. The oval will not allow easy insertion into the housing and therefore requires re-crimping to make sure the contact is still a rounded shape.

Soldering is acceptable, but you have to make sure that not too much solder is applied and that it does not run down onto the tongue (tip of the contact). Solder flux and solder on the contact add to the resistance and voltage loss in the connection.

In either case if you are using a wire size that may be too small for the contact you may have to fold the wire over (doubling) and then insert it into the contact to properly fill the hole to be able to make a proper crimp/solder connection. We recommend the affordable TRIcrimp tool to make the cleanest and trouble free crimps on the 15/30/45 amp contacts.

Please refer to our Powerpole Assembly Instructions more information.