YES NOPE9 wrote: > I am pondering about how to make a connector that takes zero-force to ins= ert and remove for power tools. > > I love the way the power cord on the Mac laptops pulls out without destro= ying anything. > > I hate all the cords that hang off my power tools. They are hard to stor= e and they get mangled. I would like to install connectors on my power tool= s on short ( 10cm ) cords or directly to the tool. =20 Have you considered neutrik powercons? they are circular locking and=20 reasonably compacts. Only downsides I see are the cost and you is you=20 have to use a seperate coupler peice when joining two cables. They aren't designed to be connected and disconnected under load but=20 there shouldn't be any problem disconnecting them while live but=20 unloaded and I can't see myself wanting to disconnect the power cord=20 from a running tool. > The connector on the tool would have a round male housing. There would b= e 3 connections. The connector would look like a bulls eye. #1 Hot center= #2 Neutral ring #3 Safety ground ring There would be ribs to preven= t the mating female connector from spinning. > > The extension cord would have a female connector with a shroud that went = around the male connector. The shroud would have channels that mate with t= he male connector ribs ( not for electrical purposes ). The female connect= or can be more expensive than the male connector since it is expected there= will be many more males than females. =20 > > The extension cord detects when the female has been engaged or the female= is being disengaged. The extension cord powers down when it is disconnect= ed from male connector. #1 for safety .... stupid user can stick tongue i= n connector with no fear of shock. Cord can be safely cut when not connect= ed. #2 to prevent burns on the connector mating surfaces. > > What would be good mating surfaces to use ? Would it be possible to make= the mating surfaces replaceable ? > > 99guspuppet > 99zeroconnector > =20 --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .