Tag: plugs

A Guide to International Power Cords and Plug Types

At Quail Electronics, we supply commercial and industrial customers worldwide with premium electronic products. As an electronic component manufacturer, we produce high-performance power cords, adapters & converter plugs, and other electronic resources that meet international requirements. This guide will provide insight into the various international power cords and plug types styles.

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Plug Types for Each Global Region

There are 15 different models of plugs in the international market. It’s important to note that while most countries have primary plug styles, other plug types may also be utilized due to variations or exceptions in specific regions or electrical installations. Always double-check the power requirements and plug types for the location you are visiting to ensure compatibility with your devices.

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Choosing Between Molded Power Cords & Mechanical Power Cords

Molded Power Cord

When deciding on a power cord, common considerations include plug and connector styles, cord length, and voltage. However, another important factor is determining whether you need a molded or a mechanical power cord. Here, we discuss the differences between these types of power cords, their benefits, and how to choose the best style for your needs.

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Your Best Guide to IEC 60309 Plugs

IEC 60309 plugs (International Electrotechnical Commission) are internationally certified for industrial purposes. The 60309 specification identifies these plugs as compatible with high voltages and high-powered connections. However, these industrial plugs are often referred to under a different name, making shopping for them more difficult than it needs to be.

Read below to learn more about IEC 60309 plugs and how they can best serve your applications.

What Are IEC 60309 Pin and Sleeve Plugs?

Also known as pin and sleeve plugs, IEC 60309 plugs feature male “pins” for plugging into corresponding sockets and are surrounded by a female “sleeve” for protection and safety. Often, the sleeve is made from impact-resistant plastic to reduce the risk of electrical shock and promote safe handling. The male and female pin and sleeve design reinforces electrical connections and makes them ideal for industrial high-voltage applications.

IEC power adapters are designed to accept IEC 60309 plugs and safely power various industrial applications. These plugs are compatible with IEC power cords and universal power strips.

Commando Plugs vs IEC 60309 Plugs

If you’re in the market for IEC 60309 plugs, you may be searching for them under the popular brand name Commando. When IEC 60309 plugs began gaining worldwide popularity for industrial and high-voltage uses, various countries began adopting it and slightly changing the name for their own standards or colloquial terminology.

Just like how the Kleenex brand name took over facial tissues and the Xerox brand name took over copiers, the MK Commando brand took over IEC 60309 plugs. However, when searching for an industrial plug, the correct term is still the IEC 60309.

Benefits of IEC 60309 Pin and Sleeve Plugs

IEC 60309 plugs are known for their extreme strength and durability. Built to handle high voltage levels and extreme amperages, these plugs can reliably power large machinery in various industries. Additionally, these plugs can continue to provide power with complete safety even when submerged underwater. IEC 60309 plugs have an IP rating guaranteeing their ability to withstand water and foreign objects, protecting them from dirt and dust.

Applications

IEC 60309 pin and sleeve plugs can be used for a wide range of industrial applications, including but not limited to:

  • Cameras & Video Displays
  • Communications & Laboratory Machinery
  • Computing Equipment
  • Cooking Units
  • Data Servers
  • Industrial Lighting & Machinery

Quail Electronics, Inc. is Your Leading Supplier of IEC 60309 Plugs

With over 30 years of experience, Quail Electronics, Inc. is your trusted source of standard and custom power cords for a variety of applications. We proudly offer competitive pricing, no minimum order requirements, and same-day shipping on all in-stock products. Contact us to get started on your order today!

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How to Identify Male & Female Power Cords

The plug and receptacle ends of power cords are the connector components that make a cord function. And almost all connector components are assigned a gender: male and female. This helps easily distinguish connectors and match them for safe power flow.

Plugs are also known as the “male ends” of a cable and are responsible for delivering power, while receptacles are called the “female ends” of a cable and receive signals from a male end. Understanding and being able to identify male and female cord ends is necessary to ensure proper connections and help regulate cables for power and digital signals.

Keep reading to learn key identifying factors for male and female power cords and connectors.

Male & Female Indicators

Male Plugs

Male connectors, or plugs, have two or more exposed pins, including live, neutral, and an optional ground pin. Separated by insulation, the pins from a male plug directly connect with a female socket or inlet to create an electrical link. One easy way to identify a male connector: If it has Pins, it’s a Plug.

When selecting a power cord, make sure you’re choosing the right end connector for your needs. For IEC power cables, male power cords have even numbers (for example, C14). Male plugs on NEMA power cords are labeled with a “P” (for example, NEMA 5-15P).

Female Receptacles

Female connectors, or receptacles, have two or more sockets designed to perfectly receive a male plug from a separate cable or device. The recessed holes are necessary for creating a safe and consistent electrical link between male and female ends.

For IEC power cables, female power cords have odd numbers (for example, C13). Female receptacles on NEMA power cords are labeled with an “R” (for example, NEMA 5-15R).

Connecting & Converting Power Cords

Almost always, the cable with a permanent connection to a power source is a female power cord. This is to protect users and equipment from the live, exposed prongs on a male plug end. However, if you need to alter a connection point, additional components may be necessary.

At Quail Electronics, Inc., we offer various electrical plugs and receptacles in both IEC and NEMA connections to help you safely connect and power any electronic device. Find the electrical connectors and accessories you need today.

Quail Electronics, Inc. is Your Leading Source of Power Cords & Accessories

Quail Electronics, Inc. has over 30 years of experience as a top supplier of power cords and electrical accessories. We offer competitive pricing, no minimum order requirements, and same-day shipping on all in-stock products to stand apart from the crowd. Contact us with any questions and a team member will happily assist you. Find the right power cords for any project and request a quote today.
 

Best Locking Extension Cord: The Q-Lock®

If you are like me and experience disconnection with extension cords, then you know how frustrating it is when the cords keep unplugging themselves! For example, I was rearranging my living room but couldn’t really decide where to place the TV. Well, it turns out every time I tried scooting the TV, the cord kept unplugging! It happens almost frequently and it drives me insane! Who has the time to be disconnected? Thank goodness Quail has a new solution for this reoccurring problem. Now introducing the Locking NEMA receptacle, the Q-Lock®!

Q-Lock 1How does this magical piece work? Continue reading Best Locking Extension Cord: The Q-Lock®

The Difference between C13 and C15

The power cord industry can be confusing. But the more you know, the better. Today we will discuss the differences between IEC-C13 and C15 connectors.

First, the obvious difference is the notch on the C15 connector. It is similar in form to the C13, except with a notch opposite the earth in the C15 connector. IEC-C15 connectors will work in the C14 inlets however,
IEC-C13 connectors won’t fit into C16 inlets. Think of it like this: an electric kettle cord can be used to power a computer, but an unmodified computer cord cannot be used to power the kettle.

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Second, the Ic15bloggEC-C15 differs from the C13 because of the temperature rating. These C15 connectors are specifically designed for higher temperature devices, for example: electric kettles, computing networking closets or server rooms, and PoE (Power over Ethernet) switches with higher wattage power supplies. The temperature rating for these connectors is 120°C. Continue reading The Difference between C13 and C15

Universal 3500 series is now Approved for China!

Universal Approved for China

Universal approvedUniversal 3500 series is now approved for China. We’re happy to announce the new CCC approval. At the moment, Quail Electronics offers the IEC-C14 to IEC-C13 jumpers on the market to be internationally and domestically approved. However, our 3500 series power cord now carries UL, C-UL, VDE and China’s CCC approval. That means you can take it all over North America, Europe and China without ever having to switch a thing. Travel the globe with our 3500 series!

Electric Vehicle Part 1

EV plug 1

Electric vehicles have become a way of life. To prove that is true is the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard put into place by the Obama Administration. By 2025, every new vehicle sold in the United States will need to reach at least 54.5 mpg. In order to operate, the plug-in hybrid EVs that function on batteries need to be charged occasionally. No more trips to the over-populated, busy gas stations. You can fill up right at home overnight or at work during the day. The car simply plugs in while it is immobile for a given period of time. It can also charge while being driven – once the car is coming to a stop and the brakes are applied, kinetic energy is transformed into chemical energy in the battery.

In order to operate, the plug-in hybrid EVs that function on batteries need to be charged occasionally. No more trips to the over-populated, busy gas stations. You can fill up right at home overnight or at work during the day. The car simply plugs in while it is immobile for a given period of time. It can also charge while being driven – once the car is coming to a stop and the brakes are applied, kinetic energy is transformed into chemical energy in the battery.

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Ferrite Beads: What are they?

IEC-60320-C13 GREY WITH FERRITE_GREYYou see them all the time on your power cords. They may look like a little mini donuts or tubes close to one end of the power cord but what are they and why do we need them? Those are called ferrite beads and they are very useful in reducing electromagnet interference (EFI) and radio frequency (RFI). This can be important when you don’t want your machines to have any disruptions or interference of other kinds of signals. The beads can also be referred to by different names such as blocks, cores, rings, EMI filters and chokes.

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