Not exaxtly. With two colors (black and red) there is the standard way, reversed standard, 90 degrees to the right both ways (stacked), and 90 degrees to the left both ways (again, stacked, only reverse stacked). There are also eight more ways using "cross-polarization" between the two. That's at least 16 ways to configure them. With more colors the number of combinations goes up exponentially.
BUT, there is only one standard way using the "ARRL standard" (which BTW also happens to be E. F. Johnson's standard long before the ARRL adopted it). Anyone connecting them wrong isn't looking before connecting. No matter what you say, anything can be wired wrong with not too much effort. Motorola plugs are polarized, but I've seen them connected up backwards, too. In fact, with polarized plugs there is more of a chance with cross-polarization when it comes to adapters because you're MORE likely to not pay attention to the polarity because they are promoted as being much more 'idiot proof'. You see, the exposed connection on a Motorola plug changes depending if it's on the source or load side of the plug while the Power Pole doesn't matter - it's the same on both sides. The lack of polarity means you only need one type of plug (in two colors if you like) rather than two types of plugs. That is a distinct advantage when it comes to carrying spares. When I wire something up using PPs for something other than 12V, I always make sure to avoid the 12V standard just for that reason - so it doesn't get confused and plugged into 12V. Joe M. Nate Duehr wrote: > Also just to be accurate, there aren't "many" ways they can be > configured, only two.
