Category: All About Quail

Choosing the Right Power Cord for Your Device

Power cords are essential for connecting electronic devices to a power source. However, using the wrong power cords for your application’s requirements can damage equipment or cause safety hazards. Several factors should be considered when choosing power cords to help ensure optimal performance for electrical components in industrial and commercial environments. By selecting the proper power cords for each device’s requirements, operators can avoid causing damage while increasing safety.

Types of Power Supply Cords

Power cords come in various types, the most common being Standard, IEC, and NEMA. Standard power cords are widely used and feature a three-pronged design, suitable for most general-purpose devices. IEC power cords have a more standardized connection interface, typically used in office equipment, servers, and networking devices. NEMA power cords are prevalent in North America, often employed in appliances and industrial equipment.

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Understanding Power Cords

Power cords are electrical components that connect appliances to an electrical utility or power supply. Typically, one end is a male connector or plug that attaches to the power supply or other cord. The other end can be a female connector or a fixed cable connected to the appliance. Characterized by different cord standards, connector types, and uses, a variety of power cords are available to meet industry-specific requirements; determining which power cord meets industry requirements can be a challenge.

Power Cord Standards & Connector Types

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Standards and types of power cords vary depending on country and appliance. Connector types are dictated by the standards a power cord follows, and there are many plug types for each power cord standard.

Power Cord Standards

IEC and NEMA are common electrical standards used in North American countries; Quail Electronics carries a variety of power cords to match the standards and plug type of your unique application, including several international options.

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The Importance of Using High-Quality Power Cords: Avoiding Electrical Hazards

Power cords are an integral part of everyday life. Consumers and businesses alike rely on electricity for various applications. As such, knowing the dangers of power cords and how to determine the quality of a cable is necessary to ensure the safe handling of electrical cords.

Dangers of Low-Quality Power Cables

With great power comes great responsibility! Along with all the benefits of electricity, there are a host of dangers to be aware of. It’s important to understand the hazards of dealing with power cords and cables so you can be sure to avoid them and promote safety habits.

Electrical Fire Hazards

Poor-quality power cords may have substandard insulation or inadequate wire gauge, increasing the risk of electrical fires. Damaged or fraying cords can also lead to electrical fire hazards. These cords may overheat or short-circuit, potentially igniting nearby flammable materials.

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The Importance of High-Quality Power Cords for Electrical Safety

Power cords provide convenient solutions for electronic devices to receive the power they require for operation. However, if power cords are manufactured from low-quality materials, they can cause harm to the devices they are powering or, worse, pose a safety threat. This post will examine the importance of using high-quality power cords while considering ratings, regulations, materials, and safety features.

Power Cord Ratings & Why They Are Important

Power cord ratings, including voltage, current, and others, are crucial when selecting the appropriate cord for an electrical device or appliance. Matching the power cord rating with the electrical device ensures it can handle the required electrical load without overheating or causing damage. Using an incorrect power cord rating can lead to hazardous consequences, including electrical fires, equipment malfunctions, and potential harm to individuals nearby. Power cord ratings include:

  • Voltage Rating: This indicates the maximum voltage at which the power cord can safely operate. It is typically specified in volts (V), such as 120V or 240V.
  • Current Rating: Also known as the ampacity, this rating represents the maximum current the power cord can carry without overheating. It is measured in amperes (A). Using a power cord with a current rating lower than the actual current requirements can lead to overheating and potential damage.
  • Wire Gauge: The wire gauge refers to the thickness or diameter of the conductive wires within the power cord. It is denoted by a numerical value, where a lower gauge number indicates a thicker wire. Thicker wires can carry higher currents and are often preferred for applications requiring heavy loads.
  • Temperature Rating: This rating specifies the maximum temperature at which the power cord can safely operate without degradation or damage.
  • Insulation Rating: The insulation rating indicates the level of protection provided by the insulation material around the conductive wires, ensuring the power cord can withstand the electrical voltages it carries.
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Stop Getting Unplugged

Power cords were made to be plugged in and unplugged at will. In fact, controlling when and how electricity is conducted using power cords is one of humanity’s greatest inventions. However, not all electrical operations go as planned. Power cords get unintentionally unplugged all the time—accidental tripping, moving equipment, vibrations, you name it. Maybe you’ve accepted accidental unplugging as a fact of life. But it doesn’t have to be!

With patented Auto-Lock® power cords from Quail Electronics Inc., you can trust your devices and equipment to stay plugged in—until you decide to unplug them. These power cords feature internal locking mechanisms and sliding tabs that keep power cords securely in place. Maintain control over your machinery with an Auto-Lock® power cord.

Why Choose Locking Power Cords?

Accidentally unplugged power cords are an inconvenience at best and a severe problem at worst. From a draining laptop to disconnected critical equipment like servers or medical machines, ensuring power cords stay plugged in is crucial for successful electrical operations.

There have been many attempts at developing solutions to help keep cords plugged in. Perhaps you’ve even attempted a few yourself—taping cords in place, knotting them together, or purchasing longer cords for extra slack. But none have the same success rate and reliability as Auto-Lock® power cords.

Our locking power cords feature built-in locking mechanisms on the connectors to prevent accidental disconnections. To unplug, simply pull the sliding mechanisms on either side of the connector. Auto-Lock® power cords were designed to keep your cables securely in place, even when pulled or tugged. Unplug cables on your terms with locking power cords!

Selecting the Right Auto-Lock® Power Cord

Every power application has unique requirements for voltage, cord length, connector style, and industry specifications. No matter your industry, you can find the right locking power cord for your needs at Quail Electronics, Inc. Our selection of Auto-Lock® power cords includes but is not limited to:

We pride ourselves on having the best locking power cords for any application. Stop getting unplugged and regain control over your electrical operations with Auto-Lock® power cords today!

Find Top-Quality Locking Power Cords at Quail Electronics, Inc.

Quail Electronics, Inc. has over 30 years of experience as a premier supplier of power cords and electrical accessories. We proudly offer competitive pricing, no minimum order requirements, and same-day shipping on all in-stock products. Contact us with any questions and a team member will assist you. Find the right Auto-Lock® power cord for your application and request a quote today.

Introducing the New IEC C15!

IEC C15 Auto-Lock™

Quail Electronics is proud to announce the newest addition to the IEC Auto-Lock™ family. We are now offering the IEC-60320-C15 Auto-Lock™! Not only do we now have the C15 with our patented locking mechanism, but we offer angles! The C15 Auto-Lock™ comes in up, down, right and left angles. These power cords are ideal for high-temperature settings and for deviIEC C15ces generating heat. The C15 Auto-Lock™ will be available with various plug types and have UL, C-UL and TUV approvals. Contact Quail Electronics today for more information on the C15 Auto-Lock™ and all of our Auto-Lock™ power cords.

Reading power cord markings part II: European(OLD BLOG)

As worldwide leader in power cords, Quail believes in educating our audience on the importance of electronics in serving a home, office, or any other vital environment. Power cords are an essential component in powering your electronics safely and securely. From outlet configurations to jacket types and their varying uses, there is much more that goes into power cords than merely plug-and-play connectivity.

In our recent blog post, we displayed markings on a standard North American power cord, our 2500 series. In this episode of our ‘How to read a power cord’ series, we are magnifying the markings on our popular European 8500 power cord line. Continue reading Reading power cord markings part II: European(OLD BLOG)

25th Anniversary Celebration

On November 23rd, Quail Electronics celebrated its 25th anniversary with a festive event in Walnut Grove at the Grand Island Mansion.  It was a wonderful evening full of dinner, dancing, and delight.  We’d love to share these pictures with you to show how great our employees are.

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E-Commerce

Today, I take on an important topic: E-commerce. Let me begin by saying that I love the Internet. I think it’s great. The endless mirage of cat GIF’s, and cute puppies, and countless articles that chip away at my time during work. While the Internet is a wonderful place, you may also encounter traps and tricks hidden behind cute kitty GIF’s. It is especially important to be prudent when shopping online.Computer

I have heard many stories of friends purchasing plugs and cords online only to find them falling apart. There was a recent scandal where someone died from a counterfeit iPhone charger purchased over the Internet. Fires and other safety hazards can begin from wires made of poor quality. With access to the Internet increasing, it is important to look at quality just as much as price.

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Celebrating 25 Years in Business

Logo-OrbSome people need universal power cords to operate their servers, some people need 10 gauge power cords to operate something a little stronger or some people might need a Schuko plug power cord for their company in Europe. Whatever you may need we have the variety out there covered for you. Quail Electronics, Inc. has been one of the world leaders in power cords since 1988. With our expertise in the business, our company thrives on meeting all your expectations about power cords.

We have many options for Domestic, International and Medical markets. Domestic cords have UL and CUL approval and the international cords have the appropriate approvals for their area. All of our hospital grade cords are Green Dot approved which means they went through rigorous testing by Underwriters Laboratories.

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