Transformer Spade Terminals, Transformer Spade Connectors / Material and connection variants

C83600 Transformer Spade Terminals

C83600 transformer spade terminals connect a transformer bushing stud to compatible bolted cable lugs or busbar palms. Cable Glands India offers straight inline CDA 836 terminals with NEMA-spaced holes for pad-mounted transformers, in natural metal or tin-plated finish.

Price on request. Quotation depends on the approved alloy, geometry, finish and order quantity.

Product overview

C83600 and the Ounce-Metal Designation

C83600 is commonly known as ounce metal or 85-5-5-5 alloy, reflecting its nominal copper, tin, lead and zinc composition. Acceptance must use the permitted composition ranges and the applicable material standard, rather than nominal numbers alone. The grade is a cast leaded red brass, although bronze is widely used in commercial descriptions. Identify the actual casting route and ordered specification to keep the material requirement unambiguous throughout procurement.

Terminal Body and Functional Surfaces

The cast body allows the hub and palm to be formed as an integrated component. Subsequent machining establishes the contact face, thread and NEMA-spaced hole pattern. The hub must engage the mating stud without forcing, premature bottoming or unintended loading of the bushing. Specify the required engagement length and seating arrangement. The palm dimensions should accommodate the complete lug and fastener footprint, including access for assembly tools within the transformer compartment.

Using the Grade in a Transformer Assembly

The suitability of a C83600 terminal depends on the approved transformer connection design. Material designation does not replace temperature-rise validation, mechanical loading checks or installation instructions. Multiple lugs on a single palm create a common electrical connection. Their cables require support so that weight and bending forces are not carried solely by the bushing. Natural and plated variants should retain clear identification because surface appearance may otherwise conceal the underlying alloy.

Key features

• UNS C83600 / CDA 836 material specification for traceable procurement.
• NEMA-spaced palm for compatible bolted terminal layouts.
• Natural and tin-plated finish options.
• Straight connection geometry for the specified transformer arrangement.
• Machined contact surfaces, bores and threads to an approved drawing.
• Configuration review for electrical OEMs, EPC contractors, power utilities and distributors.

NEMA palm and bolted contact interface

The palm provides the contact area between the transformer connector and the mating lug or busbar. Hole spacing supports interchangeability only when hole diameter, edge distance, palm thickness and terminal orientation also agree. Confirm access for sockets and spanners in the enclosure. A greater number of holes does not automatically permit a higher current or a larger number of independent outgoing circuits. The assembled connection and conductor arrangement govern the operating duty.

Natural metal and tin-plated contact surfaces

Natural finish retains the appearance of the selected base material. Tin plating provides a different surface condition for the specified joint design and handling environment. Specify preparation, coating thickness and coverage before manufacture. Threads may require allowance or masking to preserve fit after plating. Evaluate the complete joint when connecting dissimilar metals, including the conductor, lug, fasteners and environmental exposure. Do not assume that tin plating alone establishes aluminum-conductor compatibility.

Stud fit and dimensional control

The stud connection must match both the nominal size and the detailed thread designation. Pitch, class of fit, usable thread depth and entry chamfer affect assembly. Check shoulder contact and available engagement against the bushing drawing. Incorrect thread combinations can appear to start and still damage the mating terminal. Use the OEM installation procedure and specified tightening torque; neither the alloy name nor a catalog illustration defines a safe torque setting.

Technical specifications

Material composition and international designations

Composition values are weight percentages where shown. The governing purchase specification and material certificate determine acceptance, including any residual-element limits not reproduced here.

Product variants

Industrial applications

C83600 Transformer Spade Terminals are intended for the terminal connection zone of pad-mounted transformers. They can form part of an OEM bushing-to-lug or stud-to-palm assembly, subject to the transformer design. Utilities use approved connector configurations for equipment replacement and maintenance programs. EPC contractors specify the terminal interface alongside cables, lugs, busbars and installation hardware. Distributors should identify the actual material and thread arrangement so that a visually similar part is not supplied as an unapproved replacement.

For retrofit work, check the existing terminal drawing, enclosure clearance and conductor approach before ordering. Confirm corrosion exposure, operating temperature and fault duty with the equipment owner. Installation and maintenance should follow the applicable equipment instructions with the system isolated and made safe.

Manufacturing process

1. Confirm the C83600 material and product-form specification.
2. Cast the connector blank using the approved route.
3. Inspect the casting and preserve batch traceability.
4. Machine the stud interface, flat palm and NEMA-spaced holes.
5. Gauge threads and inspect contact-face condition.
6. Apply natural or tin-plated finish and complete the order inspection plan.

Production release should connect the drawing revision to the material lot, machining setup and inspection plan. Changes to palm thickness, bore geometry or hole layout can affect both mechanical fit and the thermal performance of the assembled joint. Agree first-article checks for a new design before repeat quantities are released. Pack contact surfaces to limit damage during transport and keep natural and plated batches clearly identified.

Quality standards and documentation

NEMA spacing describes the mounting interface; it is not a standalone certification of the finished connector. Standards listed here are specification references to be agreed for the order. No universal UL listing, IEC approval, ISO certification or blanket environmental-compliance claim is implied for every custom variant. If regulated-substance requirements apply, identify the destination market and required declaration before selecting a lead-containing alloy.

Why choose Cable Glands India

This product range brings material selection, connection geometry and finish into one drawing-based inquiry. Buyers can compare bronze, copper, forged brass and cast brass versions within the same transformer terminal family. A clear specification helps procurement teams obtain comparable quotations and helps engineering teams separate material identity from assembly performance. State the required inspection records, marking and packaging at the quotation stage so the supply scope is reviewable before manufacture.

Questions and answers

Does 85-5-5-5 fully specify the material?

No. It describes nominal composition. Use UNS C83600 and the applicable purchasing standard, including permitted ranges, impurity limits, casting form and inspection requirements.

Are these connectors suitable for pad-mounted transformers?

They are intended for pad-mounted transformer terminal connections where the approved bushing, stud, palm, conductor and enclosure arrangement matches the connector drawing. Confirm electrical duty, clearances and mechanical loading with the transformer OEM before release.

Are the mounting holes NEMA spaced?

Yes. The palm uses a NEMA-spaced mounting arrangement. Specify the exact hole count, center-to-center dimensions, hole diameter and orientation on the order drawing; the phrase NEMA spaced alone is not a complete interface specification.

Can I order natural and tin-plated finishes?

Yes. Both natural metal and tin-plated finishes can be specified. State coating thickness, coverage, masking, contact-surface requirements and inspection criteria. Tin plating does not change the underlying alloy designation.

Which stud threads can be supplied?

The family includes nominal 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch stud interfaces, with UNC, UNF, UNEF or UNS forms where the drawing requires them. Confirm diameter, pitch, class, engagement length and thread direction; not every diameter uses every series as a standard combination.

What is the current rating?

There is no single current rating for all geometries. The assembled connection must be assessed for conductor size, contact area, temperature rise, installation torque and fault duty. Request the test requirements for your approved design instead of selecting by alloy or hole count alone.

Are installation bolts and washers included?

Specify the complete hardware bill of materials in the inquiry. Inclusion, bolt material, coating, washer arrangement and approved tightening torque must be confirmed for the supplied assembly.

Can a similar international alloy be substituted?

Use the specified grade and product form as the procurement baseline. A proposed substitute needs a comparison of chemistry, mechanical properties, conductivity, casting or wrought condition and the governing standard, followed by customer approval.

What information is needed for a quotation?

Send the drawing and revision, alloy, quantity, stud thread, palm dimensions, NEMA hole pattern, finish, inspection documents and delivery destination. Identify prototype quantities separately from repeat production requirements.

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