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Techdoc 90315W (july 2002)
Product Description
The Tow-bar Electrical Kit is used for the electrical connection between towing vehicles and trailers /caravans for taillights and power supplies.
Overview Trailer Connection Systems (sockets) used in Europe
|
SYSTEM |
DESCRIPTION |
COUNTRY |
ADVANTAGES |
DISADVANTAGES |
|
DIAB |
12-pole trailer connection, 6.2-mm tab, w/o Fog light cut off. |
Scandinavia only |
Inexpensive |
Bad quality
No standard
No fog light cut off
Not waterproof |
|
12N |
7 pole trailer connection, with and w/o Fog light cut off. |
Entire Europe |
Most used system
According to ISO 1724 |
Old system
Not waterproof |
|
12S |
7 pole, power supply for caravans |
UK only |
Inexpensive
According to ISO 3732 |
Old system
Not waterproof |
|
12C |
7 + 6 pole, like 12N with extra connection on outside ring |
Some Countries |
Popular |
Bad quality
Expensive
No standard
Not waterproof |
|
13p DIN |
13 pole waterproof system, with and w/o Fog light cut off. |
Europe |
Recommended by the German car industry, Waterproof, Fog light cut off by waterproof Micro-switch, according to DIN 11446. |
Price |
Because the 12N together with 12S are the actual standard we will mention only these two and the new future standard 13 pole DIN system.
Overview Towing Kit Executions used in Europe
|
COUNTRY |
SOCKET |
REQUIREMENT FOG LIGHT CUT OFF |
REQUIREMENT C2 CONTROL |
| |
|
No |
Yes |
Allowed |
Recommended |
No |
Yes |
Allowed |
Recommended |
|
Germany, Austria |
12N |
|
X * |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
Germany, Austria |
13p DIN |
|
X * |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
UK |
12N |
X |
|
X |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
UK |
12N & 12S |
X |
|
X |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
Others |
12N |
X |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
-- |
|
Others |
13p DIN |
X |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
-- |
*- Only if a bicycle rack / carrier is used
Market share
|
COUNTRY |
12N |
12N/12S |
13-POLE DIN |
|
Belgium |
80% |
0% |
18% |
|
France |
85% |
2% |
10% |
|
Germany |
40% |
0% |
60% |
|
Netherlands |
60% |
0% |
35% |
|
Scandinavia |
80% |
1% |
5% |
|
UK |
60% |
35% |
4% |
To obtain all the required functions the kit has to include:
- Socket
- Wiring loom
- Small materials like nuts, bolts, cable ties etc.
- Fitting instructions
- Sometimes a C2 control unit
Socket
The socket shall be mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle.
The standardised connections with contact functions and wire colours are listed below.
7-pole 12N Socket
BLACK CAP (DIN ISO 1724)
|
Contact |
Contact NO. |
Circuit |
WIRE colour |
|
Female |
1 (L) |
Left hand indicator |
Yellow |
|
Male |
2 (54g) |
Fog lamp |
Blue |
|
Female |
3 (31) |
Earth/common return |
White |
|
Female |
4 (R) |
Right hand indicator |
Green |
|
Male |
5 (58R) |
Right hand tail lamps, side markers, license plate lamp |
Brown |
|
Female |
6 (54) |
Stop lamps |
Red |
|
Male |
7 (58L) |
Left hand tail lamps, side markers, license plate lamp |
Black |
|
--------- |
8 (54b) * |
Fog lamp return |
Grey |
*- Only if fog light cut off is required and if no Micro switch is used.
7-pole 12S Socket used in addition of 12N
WHITE CAP ISO 3732-(Third edition 1997-11-01)
|
CONTACT |
Contact NO. |
CIRCUIT |
COLOUR |
|
Female |
1 |
Reverse lamps *1 |
Yellow |
|
Male |
2 |
Coding for coupler trailer *2 |
No core |
|
Female |
3 |
Earth/common return for pin No. 4 |
White |
|
Female |
4 |
Power supply (permanent feed for interior lights, refrigerator etc.) |
Green |
|
Male |
5 |
Not used |
|
|
Female |
6 |
Power supply controlled by ignition switch |
Red |
|
Female |
7 |
Earth/common return for Pin No.6 |
Black |
*1 The return for the circuit of this contact will normally be by contact No.3 of the 12N socket according to ISO1724.
*2 On the plug this pin shall be bridged to pin No. 3, to signal to the vehicle whether or not a trailer is connected.
NOTE:: As an alternative to the use of these two sockets, the 13- pole connector according to ISO 11446 should be considered.
13 Pin socket (DIN ISO 11446)
|
CONTACT NO. |
CIRCUIT |
COLOUR |
|
1 |
Left hand indicator |
Yellow |
|
2 |
Fog lamp |
Blue |
|
3 |
Earth common return for pin No.1-8 |
White |
|
4 |
Right hand indicator |
Green |
|
5 |
Right hand tail lamps, side markers, license plate lamp |
Brown |
|
6 |
Stop lamps |
Red |
|
7 |
Left hand tail lamps, side markers, license plate lamp |
Black |
|
8 |
Reverse lamps |
Red/black |
|
9 |
Power supply (permanent feed ) |
Brown/white |
|
10 |
Power supply (ignition switched) |
Red |
|
11 |
Earth/common return for Pin No 10 |
White |
|
12 |
Coded coupling for trailer recognition |
Red/blue |
|
13 |
Earth/common return for Pin No.9 |
White |
For the rear fog light return a grey wire used.
Common remark:
The latest generation sockets do have waterproof micro switches and have pre fitted wires crimped on the contacts.
This saves fitting time, gives a better quality connection and no fitting mistakes can be made!
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