Counting poles on industrial plugs and sockets: 3P / 4P / 5P explained
One model is written 3P on one page and "3-pole" on another — it is the same number, and the earth is always counted. With a table checked against the manufacturer datasheets (voltage and clock position included).
In one sentence: what Chinese calls "N 极", the manufacturer datasheet writes "N p", and our ERP stores as "NP" — is the same number, and the earth (PE) is always included. There are only three conversions:
| Conductors | Written as | Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| 2P + earth (L + N + PE) | 3P / 3-pole | 3 |
| 2P + N + earth (L1 + L2 + N + PE) | 4P / 4-pole | 4 |
| 3P + earth (L1 + L2 + L3 + PE) | 4P / 4-pole | 4 |
| 3P + N + earth (L1 + L2 + L3 + N + PE) | 5P / 5-pole | 5 |
Checked against the manufacturer datasheets (voltage and clock position included)
| Model | Current | Voltage | Poles | Clock position | Conductor arrangement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9301 | 16A | 230V | 3p / 3-pole | 6h | 2P + earth (single-phase, the most common) |
| 102 | 16A | 400V | 3p / 3-pole | 9h | 2P + earth (400V single-phase) |
| 9322 | 16A | 400V | 4p / 4-pole | 6h | 3P + earth (three-phase, no neutral) |
| 9372 | 32A | 400V | 4p / 4-pole | 6h | 3P + earth (three-phase, no neutral) |
| 9382 | 32A | 400V | 5p / 5-pole | 6h | 3P + N + earth (three-phase with neutral) |
| 131A | 63A | 230V | 4p / 4-pole | 9h | 2P + N + earth |
Current, voltage, poles and clock position in this table are taken from the MENNEKES datasheets (checked model by model, and consistent with our stock data).
Why the clock position matters
The pole count only says how many pins there are — the clock position decides whether it fits. It is the mistake-proofing geometry defined by IEC 60309-2, derived from voltage and frequency. Both are 4-pole, but 400V uses 6h (e.g. 9372) while 230V uses 9h (e.g. 131A) — pick the wrong one and it physically will not go in. Common values: 110V → 4h, 230V single-phase → 6h, 230V with neutral → 9h, 400V three-phase without neutral → 9h, 400V with neutral → 6h, 500V → 7h.
How to quote a model without getting it wrong
- Most reliable: give the item number (e.g. 9382) — we return the specification, photo and datasheet
- If you do not have it, quote these four: (1) current (2) voltage (3) poles (including earth) (4) IP rating
- Add whether a neutral is needed and where it is mounted (workshop or outdoors) and we can pin it down in one go
Related: 93xx series cross-reference · can MENNEKES mate with domestic CEE? · IP44 vs IP67
Not sure which parameters to send? Send us the site details and our engineers will specify it.
