How to Chose The Correct Power Cord!

How to Choose The
Correct Power Cord!
Different cables have different applications. Some are useful for data transmission
like fiber optic cables, copper cable whereas some are useful for transmission of
electrical power.
Power cords are widely used as the bridge between the main electricity supply and
device through the wall socket or extension cord.
Most of the time, they are the go-to solution when using alternating current.
However, the real question is how will you come to know if you have chosen the
right power cord or not?
Let's start with the overview of power cords:
A power cord usually has a connector and molds to the cord at each end and can
detach from the power supply and device. Power cord assembly consists of three
major parts.
Firstly, the cable plug, its other name is the male connector which inserts into the AC
outlet to provide power. Further comes the receptacle, it is also known as a female
connector which attaches to the equipment. The cord is in the main section which
contains insulated wires with different lengths and thicknesses.
Let's talk about the Power Cord:
According to different plugs and receptacle styles, power cords have different
standards. In North America, NEMA power cords and IEC 60320 power cords are
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common types with the standard set by National Electrical Manufacturers
Association (NEMA) or International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or many
such.
Let's discuss them in brief:
NEMA Cords:
They have two series i.e. NEMA 5 and NEMA 6. NEMA 5 series is useful and widely
found in the United States. It also has three wire circuits i.e. hot, neutral, and ground
that carries a maximum of 125volts usually it carries about 110 volts and refers to
110 circuits. It has a round pin or prong which is right below the two flat prongs. A
grounded plug is used as a third pin for grounding purposes.
On the other hand, NEMA 6 series connectors are useful for providing heavy-duty
power to power-consuming devices. They are usually 208 volt or 240-volt circuits
and often referred as "220 circuits."
The main difference between each of the NEMA devices is that it includes a straight
blade and locking. In the household consumer goods which include electrical
appliances, a straight blade is evident. The locking NEMA power cords are in use for
most of the industrial applications.
Straight blades have a design that detaches it swiftly and the latter one has a design
such that it does not detach easily from the receptacle.
IEC 60320 power cord:
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The end of these power cords is on the opposite side of the cord from the power
plug. To make it an international standard, the equipment manufacturers need to put
one type of receptacle on the equipment and then manufacture the various
country-specific cords for which and whenever the need arises.
The IEC 60320 C13/C14 connector is the type that is available in personal
computers and monitors. Whereas, C19/C20 connector type is useful for devices
that are like servers and UPS i.e. uninterruptible power supply systems.
Detachable appliances are useful in office equipment, measuring instruments, IT
environments, and medical devices among many other types of equipment for
worldwide distribution. Each appliance's power system is adapted from different
plugs useful in different regions. Further, there are various types of IEC power cords
like Type A, Type B, and c5 power cord so on.
C5 power cord:
They are type of IEC power cords and are also known as "Mickey Mouse" or
"Cloverleaf" connectors because of their small size. They are grounded 3 Wire
connectors and rates up to 250V to 2.5 Amps Internationally and 125V and 10 Amps
in North America. The C5 mates with C6 inlet and are commonly useful for laptops,
projectors, and televisions. ​C5 power cords are also a good choice for small
appliances because of their small size.
Now comes the big question:​ How to organize power cords?
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Similar to other types of cables, so many power cords can easily get mixed while
you are working. But, there is a simple way to organize these wires. Instead of
labeling these power chords, you can buy different color cords so it becomes easy
for you to identify them. For example, red power cords are useful for important
devices, further green or blue cords are useful for rearranging equipment. Color
coding the system is definitely a more efficient way to manage your cables.
Final words:
I know, choosing that one perfect cable out of the world of cables might be a difficult
task. But the tips and a brief discussion will surely help you to overcome these
issues.
This Blog is Originally posted here:
https://www.sooperarticles.com/shopping-articles/electronics-articles/how
-chose-correct-power-cord-1775092.html
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