NEMA 5-15R Power Entry Receptacle — 3 Positions, 15A, IDC Termination
The TE Connectivity 1-208979-1 is a NEMA 5-15R standard North American power inlet receptacle, designed to accept a matching NEMA 5-15P male plug. It carries 3 positions — line, neutral, and ground — rated for 15A at 125VAC, matching the standard 15A branch circuit found in residential and light commercial equipment. The connector style is the familiar three-prong configuration used on power supplies, test equipment, and industrial machinery requiring a detachable line cord. This speeds field wiring but demands the correct wire gauge (typically 14-18 AWG solid or stranded, though the exact range should be confirmed from the product drawing). The housing snaps into a square panel cutout measuring 24.59mm x 24.59mm, and accepts panel thicknesses from 0.030" to 0.070" (0.76mm to 1.78mm).
Panel Cutout and Mounting — Square 24.59mm, Snap-In Retention
The panel cutout is a square hole, 24.59mm on each side. This is a non-standard size — not the common 24mm or 25mm square — so the panel must be punched or machined to the exact dimension. The snap-in retention means no mounting screws or nuts are needed; the receptacle locks into the panel with integral spring clips. The panel thickness range of 0.030" to 0.070" (0.76mm to 1.78mm) covers most sheet metal enclosures, but verify your panel gauge before committing.
IDC Termination — Tool-Less Field Wiring
The stripped wire is inserted into the slot and a simple pressing action (often with a screwdriver or dedicated IDC tool) forces the conductor into the bifurcated contact, which cuts through the insulation and grips the copper. This is a field-friendly termination for service technicians, but the connection is permanent — the wire cannot be removed and re-terminated without cutting and stripping a fresh end.