Guide to Ambulance and Emergency Vehicle Connectors

Why do emergency vehicles have a power inlet?

Radios, mobile data terminals (computers which received details of emergency calls) and chargers for medical devices all consume power. As they need to remain powered up continually whenever the vehicle is in service, this creates a challenge when the vehicle is left parked without the engine running.

It is not great for an emergency vehicle to be unable able to respond due to a flat battery! Ambulances therefore have auxiliary batteries and are often fitted with a power inlet. The inlet enables the vehicle to be connected to mains power using a shoreline cable, to charge batteries and power equipment.

What's a shoreline cable?

A shoreline cable is the cable used to connect the vehicle to a source of power. It needs to have the correct vehicle connector on one end and a plug suitable for the socket that will be used at the other.

Due to the harsh environment in which shoreline cables are used, blue 'artic' cable is simply not robust enough. Our leads are constructed from black H07RN-F rubber or orange marine grade H07BQ-F rubber cable. When compared to standard PVC cable, both are incredibly tough. See our cable guide for further information. 

We only use extra thick 2.5mmsq cable. Whilst cheaper 1.5mmsq cables are available online, they do not comply with the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).

What's the difference between yellow and blue inlets?

Power inlets are coloured either yellow for 110v, or blue for 230v. Some vehicles will confusingly have two inlets, with special control gear to ensure that only one can be energised at any one time. Dual inlets are provided as ambulance services often have both 110v and 230v systems in use, as a legacy from the merger of smaller services in 2006.

Blue - 230v 

230v inlets are coloured blue and may state the American rating of 250v. They can be connected directly to mains power which is provided at 230v across the UK and Europe. Existing blue 230v power inlets can be used for motorhome conversions, providing a simple cost effective solution.

Yellow - 110v 

110v inlets are coloured yellow and may state the American rating of 115v. Lower voltage is used for increased safety. In the UK and Europe as mains power is provided at 230v, a safety isolating transformer is required to use these inlets. Particular care must be taken when selecting a suitable transformer, to ensure that it has a sufficient continual rating, as most are advertised with their intermittent rating. We provide a range of carefully selected suitable transformers here.

It is not practical to use 110v inlets for motorhome conversions, as camp site outlets are 230v. Also, the same item of equipment would use twice as much current at 110v than 230v. The vehicle inlet can be swapped for a 230v version- however a full assessment of the internal wiring, RCD protection and earth bonding must be completed by an electrician, as 110v systems are often wired differently to 230v.

What's an auto-eject?

As emergency vehicles are by their nature used in a hurry, there is a risk that the shoreline cable may not be unplugged before the vehicle drives off. Auto-eject inlets have an electromagnetic pin, which is connected to the vehicles starter motor 12/24v circuit. When the vehicle starts, the pin is forced outwards towards the connector, ejecting it. For motor homes where this function may not be desired, it can be disabled by removing the 12/24v connection.

Due to the force of the ejection pin, it is really important that only the specific high quality connectors recommend by the manufacturer are used on shoreline leads. We only stock these, as whilst more expensive, they are significantly more robust than the same general type, which can shatter when struck with the force of the pin.

The inlets also have a built in micro switch arrangement which closes the power circuit after the mating connector is inserted, and opens it before the connector is removed. This eliminates arcing at the connector contacts, prolonging the service life. 

Non-PTFE/silicone lubricant should be applied regularly to auto-eject connectors to increase their service life and reduce the likelihood of failed ejections.

How can I tell which connector the vehicle has?

The table below is provided to help identify the specific power inlet provided on a vehicle. The connector type is shown in the first column, with examples of units from the main manufacturers Kussmaul, Ludo McGurk and Antaire provided to aid identification.

Once you've determined the connector required, visit the Ambulance and Emergency Vehicle Leads and Connectors page to view a range of replacement sockets, adaptors and complete shoreline leads.

110v Inlets

Vehicle Connector Open	Vehicle Connector Closed	Socket Required	Vehicle Inlet Description
		NEMA 5-15 110v +	Kussmaul Super 15 Auto-eject 110v Rated 115v 15A. Grey surround with yellow cover.  U shaped earth (top) and flat L/N pins which are vertical.
		NEMA 5-15 110v + NEMA Boot	LudoPlug NEMA 5-15 110v Rated 110v 15A. U shaped earth (top) and flat L/N pins which are vertical. Grey surround with yellow cover.  LudoPlug label which states connector type. LED display of battery voltage/amps.
		CEE 110v 16A	Kussmaul Super 16 Auto-eject 110v Rated 115v 16A. Domed yellow cover. 3 round pins, one of which (the earth) is larger.  If unsure measure the diameter of the plug (43mm).
		CEE 110v 16A	LudoPlug IEC 110V Rated 110v 16A. 3 round pins, one of which (the earth) is larger.  Grey surround with yellow cover.  LudoPlug label which states connector type. LED display of battery voltage/amps. If unsure measure the diameter of the plug (43mm).
		CEE 110v 32A	Kussmaul Super 30 Auto-eject 110v Rated 115v 30A. Thick surround and cover, both yellow. 3 round pins, one of which (the earth) is larger.  If unsure measure the diameter of the plug (57mm).
		Antares Compatible Connector	Antares Vehicle Inlet 110v (no auto-eject function) Rated 110v 20A Clear cover. Smaller 23mm diameter connector. Note that both the 110v and 230v versions accept the same shoreline socket.

230v Inlets

Connector Open	Connector Closed	Socket Required	Description
		NEMA 6-15 230v + NEMA Boot	Kussmaul Super 15 Auto-eject 230v Rated 115v 15A. Grey surround with blue cover.  U shaped earth (top) and flat L/N pins which are horizontal.
		NEMA 6-15 230v + NEMA Boot	LudoPlug NEMA 230V Rated 230v 16A. U shaped earth (top) and flat L/N pins which are horizontal. Grey surround with blue cover.  LudoPlug label which states connector type. LED display of battery voltage/amps.
		CEE 110v 16A	Kussmaul Super 16 Auto-eject 230v Rated 115v 16A. Domed blue cover. 3 round pins, one of which (the earth) is larger.  If unsure measure the diameter of the plug (43mm).
		CEE 110v 32A	Kussmaul Super 30 Auto-eject 230v Rated 115v 30A. Thick surround and cover, both blue. 3 round pins, one of which (the earth) is larger.  If unsure measure the diameter of the plug (57mm).
		Antares Compatible Connector	Antares Vehicle Inlet 230v (no auto-eject function) Rated 230v 20A Clear cover. Smaller 23mm diameter connector. Note that both the 110v and 230v versions accept the same shoreline socket.
			Rettbox 250v 20A Rated 250v 20A Metal sliding cover. 3 pins (5 pin available). Unlike CEE connectors, the pins are placed in one half of the inlet. Unit also contains a compressed air inlet. Contact us for price.
			DEFA MiniPlug (no auto-eject function) 230v Small dimeter connector with equal diameter pins. Most commonly found on ex-SECAMB and European vehicles. Contact us for price.

UK Wiring Regulations