I am pondering about how to make a connector that takes zero-force to inser= t and remove for power tools. I love the way the power cord on the Mac laptops pulls out without destroyi= ng anything. I hate all the cords that hang off my power tools. They are hard to store = and they get mangled. I would like to install connectors on my power tools = on short ( 10cm ) cords or directly to the tool. The connector on the tool= would have a round male housing. There would be 3 connections. The conne= ctor would look like a bulls eye. #1 Hot center #2 Neutral ring #3 Sa= fety ground ring There would be ribs to prevent the mating female connect= or from spinning. The extension cord would have a female connector with a shroud that went ar= ound the male connector. The shroud would have channels that mate with the= male connector ribs ( not for electrical purposes ). The female connector= can be more expensive than the male connector since it is expected there w= ill be many more males than females. =20 The extension cord detects when the female has been engaged or the female i= s being disengaged. The extension cord powers down when it is disconnected= from male connector. #1 for safety .... stupid user can stick tongue in = connector with no fear of shock. Cord can be safely cut when not connected= .. #2 to prevent burns on the connector mating surfaces. What would be good mating surfaces to use ? Would it be possible to make t= he mating surfaces replaceable ? 99guspuppet 99zeroconnector --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .