DC power connectors for AC power?

[bujaman]

I am working on controlling an AC motor with my Rasperry Pi and a couple of relays. I was wondering if I can use a female-male power connector typically seen on DC power supplies to provide the AC power to the relays. I am planning on putting the Pi and relays in an enclosure and would like to connect the power without hardwiring it directly to the relays if possible. These are the connectors I have on hand:

http://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Camera...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Thoughts on this approach? Thanks in advance.

 

[Gryd3]

I am working on controlling an AC motor with my Rasperry Pi and a couple of relays. I was wondering if I can use a female-male power connector typically seen on DC power supplies to provide the AC power to the relays. I am planning on putting the Pi and relays in an enclosure and would like to connect the power without hardwiring it directly to the relays if possible. These are the connectors I have on hand:

http://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Camera...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Thoughts on this approach? Thanks in advance.

Barrel Plugs have been used in AC applications before... the limitations here would be the voltage and current, not the fact that it's AC or DC.
Do you have details on the motor and voltage/current?

 

[bujaman]

Thanks for the quick reply! Here are the motor specs:
110V, 85W, 0.8 amps

 

[Gryd3]

Thanks for the quick reply! Here are the motor specs:
110V, 85W, 0.8 amps

Most certainly not for 110V!
Those connectors are intended for low-voltage application...
The best solution here for you might be a terminal block... it's not as easy as plugging in a barrel connector, but it will be much more secure and safe.

 

[bujaman]

OK, thanks for the response, that is what I thought, but wanted to double check.

 

[Gryd3]

OK, thanks for the response, that is what I thought, but wanted to double check.

No problem.
When looking at devices these things typically are a give-away...
- Conductors spaced closer together, or that have smaller gaps between them are for lower voltages. The voltage will dictate this separation needed because higher voltages can jump smaller gaps. The gap is almost always much larger than needed.
- Insulation . Thicker insulators and better quality insulators are used for higher voltages. Of course, higher voltages can break through the insulation.

When it comes to current, it's much simpler.
- Larger conductor for more current, and more surface area for connectors. Perfect examples of high current installations that most consumers can view and work on is car audio... the size of the conductors can be quite high, and the connectors used fit snugly and have a larger contact patch.

The barrel plugs you have pointed out have a small contact patch... so using a higher current will generate heat and possibly melt the connector where it joins. The current in this case is small enough though.
The separation between conductors though is quite small... and while it may work for 110V, it's ill advised, as accidental shorts are much more likely.