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| {{Short description|Electrical cable that connects an appliance to the electricity supply via a wall socket}} | |||
| ⚫ | A ''' |
||
| {{distinguish|Power chord}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] C13 appliance connector and ] wall plug.]] | |||
| ⚫ | A '''power cord''', '''line cord''', or '''mains cable''' is an ] that temporarily connects an ] to the ] supply via a ] or ]. The terms are generally used for cables using a ] to connect to a single-phase ] power source at the local line voltage (generally 100 to 240 volts, depending on the location). The terms ''']''', '''mains lead''', '''flex''' or '''kettle lead''' are also used. A '''lamp cord''' (also known as a ''']''') is a light-weight, ungrounded, single-insulated two-wire cord used for small loads such as a table or floor lamp. | ||
| A '''cord set''' includes connectors molded to the cord at each end (see ]). Cord sets are detachable from both the power supply and the electrical equipment, and consist of a flexible cord with electrical connectors at either end, one male, and one female. One end of the cord set is attached to a molded electrical plug; the other is typically a molded electrical receptacle to prevent the possibility of having an exposed live prong or pin which would cause electric shock. The female connector attaches to the piece of equipment or appliance while the male plug connects to the electrical receptacle or outlet. | |||
| Power cords from those countries that use 110 V mains supply (chiefly the ], ], parts of ] and ]) tend to be bulkier than the mains cables used in the rest of the world, because of the higher currents required to deliver the same power (]s) at 110 V compared with 230 V. | |||
| ==Features== | |||
| Power cables may be either fixed or detachable from the appliance. In the case of detachable leads, the appliance end of the power cord has a socket (female connector) rather than a plug (male connector) to link it to the appliance, to avoid the dangers from having a live protruding pin. Cords may also have twist-locking features, or other attachments to prevent accidental disconnection at one or both ends. | |||
| Power cables may be either fixed or detachable from the appliance.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lzVrAAAAMAAJ&q=Power+cables+may+be+either+fixed+or+detachable+from+the+appliance|title=Handbook of bioengineering|last1=Skalak|first1=Richard|last2=Chien|first2=Shu|date=1987|publisher=McGraw-Hill|isbn=9780070577831|language=en}}</ref> In the case of detachable leads, the appliance end of the power cord has a ] to link it to the appliance, to avoid the dangers from having a live protruding pin. Cords may also have twist-locking features, or other attachments to prevent accidental disconnection at one or both ends. A cord set may include accessories such as ] for overcurrent protection, a ] to indicate voltage is present, or a ]. Power cords for sensitive instruments, or audio/video equipment may also include a ] over the power conductors to minimize ]. | |||
| A power cord or ] may have a retaining clamp, a mechanical device that prevents it from inadvertently being pulled or shaken loose. Typical application areas with stricter safety requirements include ], stage and lighting technology, and computing equipment. For specialty equipment such as construction machinery, sound and lighting equipment, emergency medical ]s and electrical power tools, used in locations without a convenient power source, extension cords are used to carry the electric current up to hundreds of feet away from an outlet. | |||
| Common types of detachable power cable have appliance-side connectors such as the '']'' sometimes colloquially known as an "IEC connector" or "IBM plug" (commonly used for higher current appliances where an earth or ground connection is required) and '']'' commonly used for low-current applications such as an ] inlet for use with a ]. The IEC C7 is also known as a "figure-of-eight lead" (connecting by two small round pins, with round insulating bushings; the connector has a figure-of-eight cross section). The polarised '']'' connector is now commonly used on the AC side of laptop computer power supplies. The IEC C5 is commonly known as "] plug" or "] plug" because of the shape of its cross section. | |||
| In North America, the ] develops standards for electrical plugs and receptacles and cables.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103090900/http://www.nema.org/prod/wire/cords/ |date=2011-11-03 }}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | IEC power cables come in |
||
| International power cords and plug adapters are used in conjunction with electrical appliances in countries different from those in which they were designed to operate. Besides a cord with one end compatible to receptacles or a device from one country and the other end compatible with receptacles or devices from another country, a ] is usually necessary, as well, to protect travelers' electronic devices, such as laptops, from the differing voltages between the United States and places like Europe or Africa. | |||
| Note that the same types of connectors are used with both 110 V and 230 V power cables, so care must be used when moving appliances between countries with different voltage standards — substituting a power cord that matches local power outlets will result in an incorrect voltage being applied to the appliance or equipment. Unless explicitly labelled as capable of handling local voltages, this is very likely to damage or destroy the appliance. | |||
| North American lamp cords have two single-insulated conductors designed for low-current applications. The insulator covering one of the conductors is ribbed (parallel to wire) for the entire length of the cord, while the other conductor's insulator is smooth. The smooth one is hot and the ribbed one is neutral.<ref>Merle Henkenius; Popular Mechanics Dec 1987 How to Repair an Incandescent Lamp:Installing an in-line switch; p.130; (retrieved 3/23/12)</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| ==Connectors== | |||
| ⚫ | ] power cables come in normal and high-temperature variants, as well as various rated currents. The connectors have slightly different shapes to ensure that it is not possible to substitute a cable with a lower temperature or current rating, but that it ''is'' possible to use an overrated cable. Cords also have different types of exterior jackets available to accommodate environmental variables such as moisture, temperature, oils, sunlight, flexibility, and heavy wear. For example, a heating appliance may come with a cord designed to withstand accidental contact with heated surfaces. | ||
| Worldwide, more than a dozen different types of ] are used for fixed ]. Products sold in many different markets can use a standardized IEC 60320 connector and then use a detachable power cord to match the local electrical outlets. This simplifies safety approvals, factory testing, and production since the power cord is a low-cost item available as a commodity. Since the same types of appliance-side connectors are used with both 120 V and 230 V power cables, the user must ensure the connected equipment will operate with the available voltage. Some devices have a slide-switch to adapt to different voltages, or wide-ranging power supplies. | |||
| ==Standards== | |||
| National electrical codes may apply to power cords and related items. For example, in the United States, power cords must meet ] Standards 62<ref>{{cite web | |||
| |url=http://ulstandards.ul.com/standard/?id=62_18 | |||
| |title=Flexible Cords and Cables | |||
| |date=2010-05-18 | |||
| |access-date=2017-01-25 | |||
| |author=UL 62}}</ref> and 817.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| |url=http://ulstandards.ul.com/standard/?id=817_11 | |||
| |title=Standard for Cord Sets and Power-Supply Cords | |||
| |date=2001-03-16 | |||
| |access-date=2017-01-25 | |||
| |author=UL 817}}</ref> | |||
| ==Power supplies== | |||
| Cord sets must be distinguished from ]s, where the connector also contains a ], and possibly rectifiers, filters and regulators. Unwary substitution of a standard mains-voltage connector for the power supply would result in application of full line voltage to the connected device, resulting in its destruction and possible fire or personal injury. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| {{Portal|Energy}} | |||
| * ] (AC) | |||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| ==References== | |||
| == External links == | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| * '''''' | |||
| * — link to buy the actual IEC 60320 specification | |||
| * — a commercial site with nice diagrams of IEC 60320 connectors | |||
| * | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 07:55, 29 September 2024
Electrical cable that connects an appliance to the electricity supply via a wall socket Not to be confused with Power chord.
A power cord, line cord, or mains cable is an electrical cable that temporarily connects an appliance to the mains electricity supply via a wall socket or extension cord. The terms are generally used for cables using a power plug to connect to a single-phase alternating current power source at the local line voltage (generally 100 to 240 volts, depending on the location). The terms power cable, mains lead, flex or kettle lead are also used. A lamp cord (also known as a zip cord) is a light-weight, ungrounded, single-insulated two-wire cord used for small loads such as a table or floor lamp.
A cord set includes connectors molded to the cord at each end (see Appliance coupler). Cord sets are detachable from both the power supply and the electrical equipment, and consist of a flexible cord with electrical connectors at either end, one male, and one female. One end of the cord set is attached to a molded electrical plug; the other is typically a molded electrical receptacle to prevent the possibility of having an exposed live prong or pin which would cause electric shock. The female connector attaches to the piece of equipment or appliance while the male plug connects to the electrical receptacle or outlet.
Features
Power cables may be either fixed or detachable from the appliance. In the case of detachable leads, the appliance end of the power cord has a female connector to link it to the appliance, to avoid the dangers from having a live protruding pin. Cords may also have twist-locking features, or other attachments to prevent accidental disconnection at one or both ends. A cord set may include accessories such as fuses for overcurrent protection, a pilot lamp to indicate voltage is present, or a leakage current detector. Power cords for sensitive instruments, or audio/video equipment may also include a shield over the power conductors to minimize electromagnetic interference.
A power cord or appliance coupler may have a retaining clamp, a mechanical device that prevents it from inadvertently being pulled or shaken loose. Typical application areas with stricter safety requirements include medical technology, stage and lighting technology, and computing equipment. For specialty equipment such as construction machinery, sound and lighting equipment, emergency medical defibrillators and electrical power tools, used in locations without a convenient power source, extension cords are used to carry the electric current up to hundreds of feet away from an outlet.
In North America, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association develops standards for electrical plugs and receptacles and cables.
International power cords and plug adapters are used in conjunction with electrical appliances in countries different from those in which they were designed to operate. Besides a cord with one end compatible to receptacles or a device from one country and the other end compatible with receptacles or devices from another country, a voltage converter is usually necessary, as well, to protect travelers' electronic devices, such as laptops, from the differing voltages between the United States and places like Europe or Africa.
North American lamp cords have two single-insulated conductors designed for low-current applications. The insulator covering one of the conductors is ribbed (parallel to wire) for the entire length of the cord, while the other conductor's insulator is smooth. The smooth one is hot and the ribbed one is neutral.
Connectors
IEC 60320 power cables come in normal and high-temperature variants, as well as various rated currents. The connectors have slightly different shapes to ensure that it is not possible to substitute a cable with a lower temperature or current rating, but that it is possible to use an overrated cable. Cords also have different types of exterior jackets available to accommodate environmental variables such as moisture, temperature, oils, sunlight, flexibility, and heavy wear. For example, a heating appliance may come with a cord designed to withstand accidental contact with heated surfaces.
Worldwide, more than a dozen different types of AC power plugs and sockets are used for fixed building wiring. Products sold in many different markets can use a standardized IEC 60320 connector and then use a detachable power cord to match the local electrical outlets. This simplifies safety approvals, factory testing, and production since the power cord is a low-cost item available as a commodity. Since the same types of appliance-side connectors are used with both 120 V and 230 V power cables, the user must ensure the connected equipment will operate with the available voltage. Some devices have a slide-switch to adapt to different voltages, or wide-ranging power supplies.
Standards
National electrical codes may apply to power cords and related items. For example, in the United States, power cords must meet UL Standards 62 and 817.
Power supplies
Cord sets must be distinguished from AC adapters, where the connector also contains a transformer, and possibly rectifiers, filters and regulators. Unwary substitution of a standard mains-voltage connector for the power supply would result in application of full line voltage to the connected device, resulting in its destruction and possible fire or personal injury.
See also
References
- Skalak, Richard; Chien, Shu (1987). Handbook of bioengineering. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780070577831.
- NEMA - Flexible Cords Section Archived 2011-11-03 at the Wayback Machine
- Merle Henkenius; Popular Mechanics Dec 1987 How to Repair an Incandescent Lamp:Installing an in-line switch; p.130; (retrieved 3/23/12)
- UL 62 (2010-05-18). "Flexible Cords and Cables". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - UL 817 (2001-03-16). "Standard for Cord Sets and Power-Supply Cords". Retrieved 2017-01-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)