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Anderson Connectors

Anderson PP and SB Connectors on our Webstore

Anderson SB connectors have become a standard for reliable high amperage connections.

Anderson Power Products (APP) is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of high power interconnects and accessories. Founded in 1877, APP manufactured products to support the Mining and Railway Industries. Today, as a result of innovative design and development, APP has evolved into a valued supplier for a wide variety of markets including Back-up Power, Telecom/Datacom, and the Material Handling Industries.

This page is under re-construction.

We are now also stocking the Power Pole connectors in 15, 30, 45 and 180 amp versions - see online store for pricing etc.

Anderson SB connectorsAnderson SB Connectors are available in several sizes - 50 amp, 175 amp, and 350 amp are the most popular. Several colors are available, but we normally only stock red, black, green - but check our webstore listing, it changes quite often. Each color will mate only with another connector of the same color and size. All are suitable for AC or DC SBup to 600 volts. There is a 120 amp version, but we do not stock it as the price is higher than the 175.

This hermaphroditic (there is no male or female, each side is identical) connector was invented by Anderson Power Products.

Individually replaceable contacts enable easy field service. Spring loaded silver plated, contoured contacts have a self-wiping cleaning action, which ensures greater conductivity and longer life.

Generally, the 30 and 50 amp are used for small to medium PV array connections (or sub arrays of large systems) and small power and battery connections. The 175 and 350 amp units are used for larger batteries and large arrays. They may also be used for inverter connections. Rated for AC and DC, up to 600 volts.

 Anderson connectors are used extensively in modular systems, especially in commercial and industrial applications. The 50 amp units are often used for solar panel array and subarray connections for ease of testing, assembly, and maintenance. The 175 and 350 amp connectors are often used in battery and/or inverter connection systems. We use these on most of our larger systems, and nearly all industrial and commercial systems.

Anderson SB 350 amp connectorsAnderson 350 amp SB connectors. All sizes are similar. Two connectors are required for a set. Since several colors are available, circuits may be color coded to suit your needs. It is common to use yellow for 12 volts, red for 24 volts, and blue for 48 volts. Contacts must be soldered or crimped (since a special crimper is required for best connection, we recommend soldering if you are going to do it yourself).

Complete information on all Anderson connectors is available on the Anderson website. We can get any Anderson SB or Power Pole connector - there are minimum orders on some.

SB Family

Note: you must buy TWO of the same color for a mating pair

SB 50, 50 amp connector (gray, red, black)
50 amps maximum, for #6 gauge stranded wire. Housing and 2 contacts supplied. 1-7/8" overall length. Available in Gray, Red, and Black. Gray will be provided if no preference is given. Each color will mate ONLY with the same color. Also available for #10/12 AWG wire.

SB 175, 175 amp connector
175 amps maximum, for 1/0 gauge stranded wire. Housing and 2 contacts supplied. 3-1/8" overall length. Also available for #4 and #2 AWG wire sizes on special order at same price.

SB 350, 350 amp connector
350 amps maximum, for 2/0 gauge stranded wire. Housing and 2 contacts supplied. 4-1/4" overall length. Also available for wire sizes 3/0, 4/0, and 300 MCM.

Crimping

Use a crimping tool.  It effectively compresses the contact barrel tightly around the cable strands so that all of them are pressed tightly against each other and the inside wall of the contact barrel, doing this requires that the stripped cable be inserted all the way into the barrel of the contact, and that the contact point is centered in the crimping tool. As most people may not have the proper crimping tool, we suggest soldering in most case. We can also pre-install Anderson connectors (SB175 and SB350 only) on our standard inverter cables for a $2 extra charge.

Soldering

The alternative to crimping is to solder all cable strands within the contact barrel.   The right proportion of solder is essential if this procedure is employed.   Use a quality 60/40 solder (60 percent tin, 40 percent lead) in wire form with a rosin flux core.  Cable strands should be separately fluxed with rosin paste, and the contact should be held in a vise with the barrel end facing up.   Apply heat to the outside of the barrel while the solder flows in beside the wire strands.

Housing dimensions for SB connectors. We do not stock the SB120.

sbdim.jpg (22263 bytes)
Dimensions

SB50

SB120

SB175

   SB350
mm. in. mm. in. mm. in. mm. in.

"A"

19.0

.75

 19.05 .75

28.5

1.13

28.5

1.13
"B" 6.4 .25 8.64 .34 11.0 .44 35.0 1.38
"C" 18.2 .72 23.19 .913 27.8 1.09 35.0 1.38
"D" 36.5 1.44 46.38 1.826 55.6

2.19

 69.8 2.75
"E" 47.6 1.88 63.50 2.50 79.4 3.13

108.0

 4.25
"F" 80.9 3.19 104.65 4.12 133.3 5.25

182.6

 7.19
"G" 11.5 .45 15.32 .603 19.0 .75

27.0

 1.06
"H" 15.9 .63 20.62 .812 25.4 1.00

33.3

 1.31
"J" 3.7 .14 5.05 .199 6.7 .27

6.7

 .27