Logistics centres: power for forklift charging, loading docks and cold stores
Logistics sites mix very different loads: high-current forklift charging, reefer containers at the dock, sub-zero cold stores and sorting lines that cannot stop. How to specify each area, with our models.
A logistics centre has several very different electrical demands in one site: forklift charging needs high DC current, the loading dock powers reefer containers, the cold store sits below zero all year, and the sorting line must not stop. Specifying each area separately is far easier than applying one specification across the whole site.
Four typical areas
| Area | Key requirement | Our models |
|---|---|---|
| Forklift / vehicle charging | High current, frequent mating, no live plugging | 75091 (250A 400V 5-pole IP67 high-current plug) 75131 (250A 400V 5-pole high-current panel-mounted socket) |
| Loading dock (reefer) | Reefer 3h, which does not mate with standard 400V 6h | 5946A (switched + DUO interlock) 9562 wall-mounted socket + 2175B plug |
| Inside the cold store | Low temperature, frost and wash-down: IP67 minimum, low-temperature seals | 940027 reefer combination unit (with 3× MCB 32A) |
| Sorting line / workstations | Several circuits, impact resistant, occasionally moved | 70033, 70351 (EverGUM permanent rubber combination, Type A RCD) |
Two lessons
- Do not use ordinary sockets for forklift charging: high current and frequent mating wear the contacts quickly. Specify the high-current range and size the cable as the manufacturer requires.
- Always check the clock position at the dock: reefers are 3h, standard 400V 4-pole is 6h — it not going in is not a fault, it is the mistake-proofing. See choosing reefer container sockets.
Related: reefer container sockets · choosing a socket combination · choosing the current rating
For a logistics park we can specify area by area: how many forklifts, how many dock positions, the cold-store area — all in one go. Contact our engineers
