Screw, ErgoCONTACT or SafeCONTACT: which plug terminal type should you choose?
Mennekes PowerTOP Xtra plugs and connectors come with screw terminals; the 16 A and 32 A versions also come as ErgoCONTACT (an easier-to-tighten screw terminal) and as SafeCONTACT S versions, a screwless connection into which conductors are plugged without stripping. Choose screw or ErgoCONTACT if you prefer screw terminals; choose SafeCONTACT for the fastest wiring.
The three options
| Type | Available in | How you connect |
|---|---|---|
| Screw terminals | All PowerTOP Xtra versions (16, 32, 63, 125 A) | Strip the conductor, insert it and tighten the contact screw. |
| ErgoCONTACT | 16 A and 32 A plugs and connectors | Screw terminal developed for easy installation: you insert the screwdriver from the top, all screws point the same way, and each contact has one captive combination-head screw that takes a Phillips or flat-head screwdriver. |
| SafeCONTACT (PowerTOP Xtra S) | 16 A and 32 A plugs and connectors | Screwless: plug in the conductor without stripping the insulation, then lever the terminal down with a screwdriver. |
Source: Mennekes industrial plugs and sockets catalogue. Mennekes states that SafeCONTACT lets you make connections more than twice as fast and removes subsequent maintenance.
Which should you pick?
If you wire plugs only occasionally, or your electricians prefer screw terminals, standard screw or ErgoCONTACT is a natural fit; ErgoCONTACT makes it easier to reach the required torque because pressure goes straight down from the grip. If you wire many plugs and connectors, SafeCONTACT saves time because there is no stripping and no screw-tightening. For 63 A and 125 A plugs the catalogue lists screw terminals.
Ranges with these terminal types
- Mennekes Connectors — PowerTOP Plus (IP44 / IP67) — 3 products
- Mennekes Connectors — PowerTOP Xtra (IP54 / IP67 / IP69) — 96 products
- Mennekes Panel mounted receptacles — Screwless spring terminals (IP44 / IP67) — 99 products
- Mennekes Plugs — PowerTOP Plus (IP44 / IP67) — 14 products
- Mennekes Plugs — PowerTOP Xtra (IP54 / IP67 / IP69) — 128 products
- Mennekes Wall mounted receptacles — Screwless spring terminals (IP44 / IP67) — 65 products
Common questions
What is ErgoCONTACT?
ErgoCONTACT is the Mennekes screw-terminal design for 16 A and 32 A PowerTOP Xtra plugs and connectors: the screwdriver goes in from the top, all screws point in the same direction, and a captive combination-head screw sits in a guide collar at each contact.
What is SafeCONTACT?
SafeCONTACT is the Mennekes screwless connection used in PowerTOP Xtra S plugs and connectors of 16 A and 32 A. Conductors are plugged in without stripping, then the terminal is levered down with a screwdriver.
Do 63 A and 125 A plugs have screwless terminals?
The catalogue describes ErgoCONTACT and SafeCONTACT for 16 A and 32 A plugs and connectors. Check the product page of the exact part number, or ask us.