Outlets following the IEC 60320-1, Styles F and J, standard are available with an integrated light pipe. The light pipe indicates operational status, or the status of other functions, as an optional feature to standard connectors. It is designed to channel light from LEDs on the PCB to the front of the connector. The new technology offers flexible design options including up to four light pipes, to better signal status information from the power grid to the user.
A typical application consists of power distribution units used in data 
centers. With SCHURTER’s appliance outlets, it becomes easier to extend the systems monitoring capabilities from the centralized display to each outlet. Service technicians are able to clearly see which systems are working properly, or respond to required maintenance adjustments. A connector could, for example, signal an outage with a red LED, or a critical power consumption pattern with a yellow LED. In this way, both repairs and preventive maintenance can take place more simply and efficiently.
The integration of the light pipe into the appliance outlet brings about multiple advantages: For one, the number of light pipes available makes it possible to completely individualize circuitry that assigns unambiguous signals to each outlet. The indicating light is located as close as possible to the outlet, instead of discretely mounted nearby the outlet, thus leading to a reduction in the strip size altogether, or increasing space to add outlets to the strip. By integrating the light indication into the outlet, the need for drilling separate holes and other associated logistical and manufacturing steps are reduced or eliminated.
The number and arrangement of the openings for the light pipe provide flexible options for application-specific requirements, also depending on the orientation of the power cord and its impact on visibility.
SCHURTER’s 6600-5 and 6610-5 series outlets conform to IEC 60320-1, style F, ENEC approved at 10 A at 250 Vac. They are UL/CSA approved at 15 A at 250 Vac. The 4797-5 series conforms to IEC60320-1, style J, ENEC approved at 16 A at 250 Vac. It is UL/CSA approved at 20 A at 250 Vac. Terminal
options include insulation displacement conductor (IDC), quick-connect or PCB.
SCHURTER Inc., 447 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403, http://lightpipe.schurter.com.