The standard way of connecting a home or office appliance to the mains electricity is via a power cord. Power cords, line cords, or mains cords are electrical elements that consist of a wire with thick insulation and connectors or plugs attached to one or both ends.
Male connector, commonly the plug, serves as the insertion point to the electrical receptacle or extension cable. On the other hand, the female connector, or the jack, goes into the appliance or another plug. A fixed line can appear in place of the jack in some devices.
Power cords have current ranges of sixteen to twenty amperes and voltage ranges of about 125 to 250 volts. Due to this limitation, the lines are only helpful in computers, refrigerators, televisions, laptops, microwaves, and other standard devices but not for industrial use.
From the round extension cord to the flat cord power strip, the industry is evolving with technological advancements, presenting users with worthy alternatives. This makes grasping everything about power cords challenging, but here’s a complete guide to the different cords to help you get started.
Mains Cord Features
Image source: Pixabay.com
The male and female connectors are the main components of an appliance coupler, although the female connector only exists in detachable cords. Some devices have already attached power cords and only one end hanging: the male connector for the receptacle. A power cord may also have a lock feature to enable a firm connection to the power source or other devices.
You’ll find different accessories like a fuse to protect against excess current, pilot lamps to indicate if the current flows, and a detector to detect any voltage leaks in a complete cord pack. Sophisticated gadgets may have shields in their power cord packages to cut off external electromagnetics that might interfere.
Types of Power Cords
Image source: Pixabay.com
Most cords used Internationally have the IEC layout with the letter ‘C’ as a signature indicator for connectors. The connectors of two similar power cords have a different number after the C to indicate if it’s either male or female. For instance, the C5/C6 line cords have a similar design, but C5 indicates the male connector cords while C6 is the female connector cords.
The IEC standards distinguish the mechanical, temperature, and electrical conditions safe for power cords. Inappropriate temperature and current flow might blow up your device, and it is essential to understand the cables used.
IEC Cords
C5 / C6
Mainly observed with laptop chargers, the C5 mains line is in the shape of clover leaves and serves as a male connector. On the contrary, the C6 connector is on the appliance inlet where power reaches the appliance; it serves as a C5 receptacle.
C7 / C8
Image source: Pixabay.com
These power cords have their ends shaped like the number 8 and are applicable in devices with low voltage input such as laptops, audio players, video devices, and televisions. These cords are polarized, although some editions of C7 are non-polarized with straight edges on one aspect of the figure-8 pattern. The C7 connector is generally attachable to the mains cable, while the C8 connector is on the appliance or electricity source.
C13 / C14
These cords are standard in desktop device electric cables: computers, monitors, and older laptop electric supplies. The International Electrotechnical Commission C13 connector designs naturally work on classic mains lines only, but there may be variations. The C14 connector is its corresponding receptacle found on electric equipment, power supplies, and IEC extension lines.
C15 / C16
Found on kitchen appliances such as electric jugs, the C16 acts as a three-prong receptacle for the C15 plug. The plug has similar configurations to the C13 but has higher thermal ratings and can handle higher voltages.
C17 / C18
C17 is a component of the Xbox 360 console and has the same layout as the C13 plug. However, it lacks the third prop for earthing.
C19 / C20
Image source: Pixabay.com
These power cords have very high voltage ratings and are mainly in server rooms with high power flows. The C19 connector is the plug to the mains electricity, while the C20 acts as a receiver on appliances, electric power supply lines, and extension lines.
NEMA Designs
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) designs are primarily found in North America but may be compatible with many appliances. NEMA designs generally exist in straight blades for ordinary users and locking types for industries.
NEMA connectors have the basic pattern of 5-25 and 5-20. The first number represents the total number of poles and wires. For instance, 5-15R codes mean that there are two poles and three wires, including the earth wire. The second number, 15, stands for the amp rating.
Devices with NEMA 1 layouts have a double wire with no earthing and have high voltage ratings up to 120 V. These plugs have two blades and can handle high current flows. Comparably, NEMA 5 appliances have a 125-volt rating and an earthing wire to make a total of three wires and two blades. These plug designs are in everyday devices and extensions.
Conclusion
When acquiring power cords for your devices, first check the device’s voltage ratings and receptacle configuration to pick the correct cable. There are multiple mains cords available, and the guide above can help you select the correct one. Choosing the right cord to avoid blowing up your device is helpful.
