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 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:

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?

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.

Source: https://www.sooperarticles.com/shopping-articles/electronics-articles/how-chose-correct-power-cord-1775092.html

Gadgets come and go. The tech industry is almost like the fashion industry. One tiny change in a new product will make yesterday’s product obsolete. The most consistent thing about them has been their power cords. There are few variants of them and the whole industry can only use those based on the kind of power their equipment requires.

One of the power cords that the computer industry uses is the c13 power cord.

The many uses of this cord in an office are:

Computers:

Most traditional computers use this cord for power. Laptops use a different cord, one that doesn’t have an earthing prong but desktop computers, even all-in-ones have a c14 cord to maximize safety and because it follows certain standards. Each computer has two components that use a power cord: the CPU and a monitor. A monitor also uses the same cord as the CPU.

Servers:

There are in house servers that offices need. These are, of course, high voltage appliances and therefore need to have stability in the electric current they use.

Printers:

In any workplace, you will likely find a printer. It can be a standalone printer, or a printer, scanner, and copier in one machine. This is also a computer peripheral that uses the c13 power cord.

Coffee Machine:

All offices require coffee or the work would stop. Bigger coffee machines that are generally in offices, run on higher voltage and therefore have a power cord that can regulate the electric current fluctuation.

Other Kitchen Appliances:

Apart from a coffee machine, there are a few other kitchen appliances that certain workplaces have to provide ease to their employees. These can be microwaves, a pop up toaster and even mini fridges in the lounge areas.

All these appliances run on electricity and so I want to talk about certain care tips in such a workplace regarding power and electricity.

• Infrastructure:

   

• You must not put rows and rows of computers without proper wiring. You should have clear pathways for wires to travel so they are not in the way of anyone using the computers. The power socket for each cubicle should be accessible but not in a place where one would accidentally disturb it multiple times a day. People might unplug a device accidentally or touch the plug with wet hands, both of which can be dangerous.

  The wiring should also be in a way to avoid the walls that have plumbing running through them. If there is damage in the pipes, it can be a huge hazard to the wires.

• Maintenance:

   

• Just as you would run maintenance and security checks for your computer software, you should also have regular checks for hardware. Make sure that the hard drives are performing optimally, and all the I/O ports are functioning well. Along with this, you should also make sure that each cord is working properly. Frayed cords or ones that have a fluctuating current due to physical disturbances, will damage your equipment. Generally, we tend to put electrical tape on wires when they start fraying. But in work equipment, cost cutting like that can end up costing you a lot more than a couple of dollars.

  Regularly check for bumps on your cables, ethernet, power, USB, all of them. Make sure to not have any exposed wiring anywhere.

• Safety:

   

• If the electric current in the office is fluctuating, then you must immediately unplug all cords so that your equipment is safe. The c13 power cord has a grounding prong that makes it comparatively safer than one without it, but you can never be too careful. If there is a fire in the office or even in the building, it is best to turn off all electricity and unplug the devices. This can reduce the possibility of damage drastically.

   

• Electricity is a boon, without a doubt. We would not have been able to do any of the things that we do right now without it. It can become an invisible perk in our lives. But we do need to be careful about how we use it and how much of it we use.

Wrapping Up:

Power cords are not replaceable. But you need to be cautious while using them, and one of the ways to do it is to always buy them from a certified, genuine manufacturer. SF Cable happens to be just that. We provide bulk quantities as well if you want to outfit your products or your offices.

Source: https://www.sfcable.com/blog/power-cords-office-edition

Buy iec c5 power cords, c5 right angle power cord, iec c5 straight power cord and mickey mouse style c5 power cord in a variety of lengths & colors from SF Cable. Visit: https://www.sfcable.com/iec-c5-power-cords.html

• Shielded Jacks
• Flush Mount Jacks
• Mini Jacks
• 8P8C modular jacks for computer networking
• 6P6C RJ11 modular jacks
• Optical fiber connectors
• Banana connectors
• F connector for TV antenna, satellite, or cable
• HDMI Jacks

• Leaf blower: Choose a 14-gauge medium-duty cord for a higher amp.
• Table lamp: An 18-gauge, light-duty, two-prong, light-duty extension cord. It can handle up to 7 amps up to 25 feet power.
• Laptop computer: A 14-gauge, medium-duty, three-prong like c13 power cord is an ideal choice.
• Treadmill: Go with a cord made specifically for treadmills like the 9-foot Tread cord.
• Circular saw: Choose a 12-gauge heavy-duty cord, which will cover up to 100 feet from the outlet.
• Indoor/outdoor vacuum: 16-gauge cord for indoor and 12-gauge for outdoor.
• Holiday lights: Use a 16-gauge cord for 25 feet, or 14-gauge for more than 25 feet.
• Bug zapper: All you need is a 16-gauge extension cord to keep the lamp cooking.
• Portable compressor: A 10-gauge heavy-duty extension cord to let you put air in a tire up to 100 feet away from an outlet.
• Workshop: Choose a 14-gauge c13 power cord, which powers most tools. While buying, make sure the model comes with multiple outlets so you can plug in more than one tool.