North American Cords

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

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.

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.

What is Piggybacking an Outlet?

Piggybacking an outlet describes passing power from one plug into another. The piggyback plug has both male pins and a female receptacle. The male connecter is plugged into an outlet or power source, and an additional source can then plug into its female receptacle. Piggybacking involves adding extra electrical plugs or devices to the original outlet’s receptacles to expand the number of available electrical connections.

Piggybacking Benefits For Outlets & Wall Sockets

Piggybacking uses an additional electrical device by plugging into an existing outlet, usually by an adapter or power strip.
Piggyback designs are space-saving features that allow devices to be powered while leaving the outlet or receptacle free to power other appliances. This is crucial when your equipment must not power down or requires ongoing electricity. It’s quick, easy, and space-efficient.
A piggyback cord allows you to tap into the AC power outlet and an additional piece of equipment while maintaining a usable AC power outlet.

Understanding Every Angle

While standard power cords are excellent for nearly all applications, making secure connections in angled spaces can be difficult or near impossible. When it comes to navigating tight spaces or awkward angles, angled power cords are the perfect space-saving solution.

These power cords are designed to make reliable connections without bending or damaging the plug, allowing cables to lay flush and secure. Available in numerous configurations and styles, angled power cords can be used for all types of angled-space applications.

Angled Power Cords: What Are They?

In terms of functional specifications, angled power cords are nearly identical to their standard counterparts. The defining and obvious difference, of course, is the angle of the plug or connector. While standard power cables do not have specific angles, angled power cords have a 90° bend in one of four directions: up, down, left, or right.

Angled power cords:

Take up less space than standard connectors
Are easy to route through tight spaces and corners
Offer strain relief to eliminate cable stress
Minimize protrusion and save space in tight areas
Prevent cord damage and maintain secure connections

Angled power cords are identified by the location of the ground pin and the direction the cord is trailing from the vantage point when connected to a power source. Right-angle power cords and left-angle power cables are among the most popular styles, although different angles are available for other needs.

What Are the Different Configurations for Angled Power Cords?

North American (NEMA) cords and IEC cables are the most popular angled power cords. While the power cord angle is based on when the plug or connector is connected to a power source, NEMA and IEC cords have different specifications for naming angled power cords based on cord direction.

NEMA Angled Power Cords

For NEMA cord configurations, the type of cord is based on when the power cord ground pin is facing down, or in the 6 o’clock position. The angles are determined by the position of the power cord when plugged into a power source or socket. For example, if, when looking at a wall outlet, the power equipment is plugged in with the ground pin down and the wire is trailing toward the left, it is a left-angle power cable. If the cord is trailing right, it is a right-angle power cord. The same logic applies to up and down angles.

North American angled power cords can have either NEMA to NEMA connectors or NEMA to IEC connectors. The most common type of NEMA angle power cord is a 5-15P cable. Here, we illustrate Below is a diagram all four NEMA 5-15P angled power cord configurations.

ANGLE	NEMA 5-15P
UP
DOWN
LEFT
RIGHT

IEC Angled Power Cords

For IEC angled power cords, the angle of the cable is determined by the ground pin facing up, or in the 12 o’clock position. For example, for a plugged-in IEC cable with the ground pin oriented upwards, if the cable trails to the left, it is a left-angle power cable. If the cord is trailing right, it is a right-angle power cord. The same logic applies to up and down angles.

IEC 60320 C13, C14, C19, and C20 cables are among the more popular styles of IEC angled power cords. The following chart displays the various configurations for IEC C13 angled power cords.

ANGLE	IEC
UP
DOWN
LEFT
RIGHT

When to Use Angled Power Cords

Any angled power cord can be used in place of a standard cord of the same specifications. This means that these cables are excellent space-saving solutions for both consumer and commercial applications. Common uses for angled power cords include:

Monitors
Computers
Printers
Scanners
TVs
Sound Systems
And more!

Contact Quail Electronics, Inc. to Find Your Best Angled Power Cords

Quail Electronics, Inc. is proud to be your top supplier of the best services and electronic products. We offer low minimum order requirements, competitive pricing, and convenient same-day shipping to help you receive precisely what you need. With a team of industry experts, an extensive inventory, and over 30 years of experience, we are your leading source of reliable power cords, power strips, and additional electronic accessories.

Contact Quail Electronics, Inc. or request a quote to find the right solutions for your needs.

NEMA Locking Power Cords for High-Voltage Applications

Whether you’re powering devices at work, a construction site, or even home appliances, a secure connection is vital for high-voltage applications. If a cord accidentally disconnects, the exposed conductors can cause severe electrical hazards. Power cords used for heavy-duty projects need plugs and connectors that stay attached no matter what.

The solution? NEMA locking power cords. These industrial-grade power cords lock into place with a single twist, giving you a secure connection to the receptacle.

Why Use Locking Power Cords?

While traditional power cords are excellent for many general uses, they are often susceptible to unintended disconnections. For high-voltage applications, accidental unplugging can lead to severe electrical hazards or create equipment failure. Locking power cables are the best solution to prevent unwanted disconnections. These cords feature mechanisms that, when twisted, securely lock the connection between the cord and the power source.

There are many benefits of NEMA locking power cords:

Decreased downtime
Improved safety
Increased reliability
Lowered maintenance
Uninterrupted power supply

Locking power cables can only be connected and disconnected by intentionally twisting the locking mechanism, making accidental unplugging impossible. Ensure your high-voltage applications are secure with NEMA locking power cords.

Using Locking Power Cords for Secure Connections

Designed for heavy-duty use, NEMA locking power cords are ideal for harsh environments or where vibrations may cause standard cables to disconnect. This can be in both commercial and consumer settings, with applications ranging from Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) backup hardware to residential appliances. Additional common uses for locking power cables include:

Data servers
Generators
Lighting, sound, and video equipment
Medical devices
Offices
Pool pumps
And more!

Common Types of Locking Power Cables

Because there are many different types of high-voltage applications, there are just as many types of locking power cables to go with them! Popular types of locking power cables include:

These cables are highly versatile, with various lengths and connection styles available to suit unique application demands. Contact Quail Electronics, Inc. today to find out which locking power cable is best for your needs!

Voltages for NEMA Locking Power Cords

When selecting a power cord, choosing the right voltage for the equipment you’re powering is critical. NEMA locking power cords are offered with different voltage options and plug types, with the most common being:

125V

L5-15P
L5-20P
L5-30P

250V

L6-15P
L6-20P
L6-30P

Quail Electronics, Inc.: Your #1 Source for Power Cords!

At Quail Electronics, Inc., we supply high-quality power cords for any application. We stand apart from the crowd with fast shipping, low minimum order requirements, and competitive pricing. Talk to our experts for help finding the best power cords for your needs. Contact us or request a quote to get started today.

Understanding North American Cord Markings

Power cords come in all shapes and sizes. Depending on the functionality, they can be used from powering standard household devices to large-scale applications in enterprise or hospital settings. Knowing only the plug type and length of your power cord, however, gives a marginal grasp of your overall powering demands.

Even a technophile would agree that understanding the inner workings of electronic components can be quite complicated. This is also true in the power cord industry. Etched into our cord jackets display markings that refer to several characteristics that embody the powering solution to keep your products powered seamlessly. In an effort to explicate Quail’s worldwide-leading products, we have presented an exposition Continue reading Understanding North American Cord Markings

National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association – NEMA

You may be looking for a plug wondering, what is NEMA? What does it mean? Is it the name of Nemo’s long lost sister? Quail Electronics is here to explain all the ins and outs of NEMA, what it means, why it’s significant, and why it matters in the world of power cords.

NEMA stands for the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association. As an association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, NEMA’s goal is to create and promote safe electrical products and standards. NEMA’s work includes standards for motors and generators, magnet wire, and, of course, plugs. Continue reading National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association – NEMA

Polarized: It’s Not Just for Sunglasses

Polarization often reminds people of sunglasses, but it’s actually an electrical term as well! Who knew? (Well, I did, but I’m the exception, not the rule). My knowledge of polarization was particularly useful the other day. I was playing a casual game of croquet with my friend, Quincy Quail, when he started complaining about plugs to me, of all things.

“What’s the point,” he asked, “of having those 2 little prong things different sizes? I always try to plug lamps and things like that in, and I end up doing it backward! It’s so frustrating!”

I realized that many people must have this problem and that as a power cord blogger, I have a responsibility to the world to make sure people are getting the most out their sockets, and understand why their plugs are the way they are.

Continue reading Polarized: It’s Not Just for Sunglasses

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Category: North American Power Cords