50A, 120A, 175A or 350A Anderson Plug: Which Size Do You Need?

Anderson-style connectors come in several sizes, and if you're putting together a 4WD, canopy or caravan electrical system, it isn't always obvious which one you actually need.

The common 50A, 120A, 175A and 350A-style connectors aren't simply different-sized versions of the same plug. As the connector gets larger, so does the range of cable and contacts it can accommodate.

50A Anderson-style plugs

The 50A-size connector is the one most people will recognise from 4WD and camping setups.

Its compact size makes it popular for things like:

• Fridges
• Solar connections
• Battery boxes
• General 12V accessories
• Caravan and trailer connections

For many everyday 12V installations, it's the most commonly encountered size.

120A Anderson-style plugs

The 120A-size housing is physically larger and allows for larger cable and contacts.

You'll commonly see this style used where a more substantial power connection is required, such as battery and charging systems or larger auxiliary power feeds.

175A and 350A Anderson-style plugs

The 175A and particularly the 350A housings are considerably larger.

They're suited to applications requiring much heavier connections and cable, including large battery systems, equipment and other high-current DC applications.

The difference becomes pretty obvious when you put all four connector sizes beside each other.

[PHOTO: 50A / 120A / 175A / 350A SIDE-BY-SIDE]

Don't choose from the number alone

The name stamped on the connector shouldn't be the only thing used to select it.

The right connector depends on the complete electrical system, including:

• Expected circuit current
• Cable size
• Suitable contacts
• Cable length
• Circuit protection
• Equipment manufacturer's requirements

If you're unsure, check the specifications for the equipment you're connecting or speak with a qualified auto electrician.

What if your setup needs more than one size?

That's completely fine.

A canopy might use several compact connectors for general power and accessories while also requiring a larger connector elsewhere in the system.

They don't need to be mounted separately either.

Fab Lab Co.'s Surface Build Your Way system allows different Anderson-style connector sizes to be combined into a single mount.

There's also our Flush Mount Build Your Way option for a more integrated installation.

Choose the connector first, then the mount

Work out what the electrical system requires first.

Once you know which connector sizes you need, you can worry about bringing them together into a clean mounting solution.

That's a much better approach than choosing a connector simply because it's the one already sitting in the shed.