powerCON NAC3 / TRUE1 pinout
powerCON Pinout & Connector Types
powerCON carries single-phase mains on three terminals: L (line, brass), N (neutral, silver), and the earth terminal marked with the ground symbol. Blue NAC3 connectors are power-in, grey are power-out, and the two are keyed so they cannot intermate.
| Pin | Signal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| L | Line (hot) | Brass-colored terminal; the energized conductor. |
| N | Neutral | Silver-colored terminal; return conductor. |
| PE | Earth / ground | Marked with the ground symbol; connects first, breaks last by design. |
What it’s used for
powerCON is the standard mains inlet on amplifiers, LED fixtures, and processors: a locking, touch-proof 20 A connector that replaced the IEC C13’s fall-out habit. Blue (NAC3FCA/power-in) feeds equipment; grey (NAC3FCB/power-out) daisy-chains to the next device.
TRUE1 (and the newer TRUE1 TOP) is the successor with breaking capacity and outdoor sealing: it is rated to connect and disconnect under load and to live outside. Original powerCON is neither.
Wiring & termination notes
- Original powerCON (blue/grey) has no breaking capacity: never connect or disconnect it under load. Kill the circuit first; the arc rating is zero by specification.
- Blue and grey shells are mechanically keyed differently on purpose; a "blue to grey" jumper is the correct daisy-chain cable, not an error.
- TRUE1 does not mate with original powerCON; they are different systems despite the shared name.
- Respect the daisy-chain math: the 20 A rating covers the whole chain, and the first cable carries everything downstream. Sum the loads like a breaker would.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between blue and grey powerCON?
Blue (NAC3FCA) is power-in from the source to a device; grey (NAC3FCB) is power-out for daisy-chaining. They are keyed differently and cannot be cross-mated, so a chain is always blue into the device, grey out.
Can I unplug powerCON under load?
Original powerCON, no: it has no breaking capacity and the arc can damage contacts or worse. TRUE1 is designed for exactly that and is rated for connection under load.
Is powerCON waterproof?
Original powerCON is an indoor connector. TRUE1 and TRUE1 TOP carry outdoor ratings when mated; open panel connectors still need covers.