International Power Cord Regulations That You Must Know About

When you undertake installation of your devices with power cords, you must have observed in the specification sheet that one part of the cord is approved and another isn’t. This might lead you to wonder as to why is it so? Well, it can be a bit tricky to understand international approvals of cords. Let’s obtain a detailed understanding behind the process of approvals and regulations.

Approvals In Parts

Every power cord that you come across is approved in its parts and not as a whole. Its connector, wire and plug are approved differently. Although the IEC standard connectors are used all over the world, the standards of their approval change from one country to another. This authorization depends on the agency they are being approved by. For eg, in China and Argentina, the whole cord set is approved instead of its parts.

IEC Regulations

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) based in Geneva, is an association that establishes international standards for the electronic, electrical, and other similar technologies. Before IEC standards are established, a consensus is carried out wherein the experts from different countries participate. As mentioned above, the IEC connectors are used all over the world and hence even if the approval agencies are different, they must follow the regulations laid by IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)

Ratings Based On The Current Capacity

The IEC 60799 5.2.2 states that “The rated current of the plug shall be not less than the rated current of the connector.” It means that the connector shouldn’t have a rating higher than the attached plug. Due to this reason, the international power cords of today have no approval on the IEC-320-C19 side of the cord. For eg, The highest rating a UK plug can have is 13A and if its C19 connector is rated 16A, IEC will not approve the connector as its rating is high. The same applies to countries like Denmark, Switzerland, Australia and Argentina. The plugs available in these countries have ratings lesser than their connector. Looking into their specification sheet, you will see that the power cords will show “NONE” on the C19 column of approval.

Changing International Standards

Different ratings are applicable on different chords in different countries. IEC C13 power cords are given approval by UL (Underwriters Laboratory) upto 15A in North America. But if you carry IEC C13 to Europe, it won’t be an approved standard because it is only approved till 10A. Same holds true for IEC C19 power cords. It is approved up to 20A in North America and if you take it to other countries, it wouldn’t be considered an approved standard.

The standards set by IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) differ notably. IEC standards state the minimum safety requirement for a device, whereas, UL specifies the technical details pertaining to application and product safety. We hope that this gives you a little understanding about the standards set for power cords. Keep reading this blog for more!

Source : https://www.sfcable.com/blog/international-power-cord-regulations-must-know/

What is the Difference between C13 and C15 Power Cords?

There is an array of power cords available in the market. It can get quite perplexing to choose the one that will fit your needs. In order to know more about them, you must have more information about these cords. This article will acquaint you with IEC C13 and IEC C15 power cords and how they are different from each other. But before that, let us understand what IEC is. IEC stands for International Electrotechnical Commission. Every cord is standardized by IEC before it is introduced in the market. These cords use the letter “C” which is followed by the number in their cords. Let’s get back to understanding the difference between IEC-C13 and C15 connectors. Some of them are mentioned below. Difference of a Notch One of the most apparent differences between the two connectors is the notch on C15 connector. Although C15 looks quite similar to C13, it has a little groove opposite the earth. The IEC-C15 connectors also work in the C14 outlets. B...

Power Splitter vs. Extension Cord: Which One Is Right for You

Power distribution is a crucial aspect of managing electrical devices efficiently. When faced with the need to connect multiple devices to a single power source, two popular options come to mind: power splitters and extension cords. Understanding the differences between these two solutions is essential to ensuring optimal power management and safety. In this article, we will explore the features, applications, and considerations associated with power cord splitters and extension cords, helping you make an informed decision on which one is right for your specific needs. Power Splitters: Unleashing Versatility Power splitters, also known as cord splitters or power cable splitters, are designed to divide a single power source into multiple outlets. These devices allow you to connect several devices simultaneously, expanding the number of electrical connections available. Power cord splitters come in various configurations, including three-way, four-way, and even more complex ...

Fiber Optic Cables Vs Ethernet Cables: What Is the Difference?

Wi-Fi is like love. Always in the air and ready to connect you with the fascinating digital world. But ever wondered what keeps it in the air? Well, just like any relationship has a foundation of understanding, a wireless network has a fiber cabling underneath that helps people to connect with the internet anytime they want to. The other most popularly used cable type is Ethernet cables. They are used everywhere right from IP camera technologies to LED lighting. These cables are quite cheaper as compared to fiber cables; but when one wants to have a huge and powerful network cable , fiber cables become necessary. Both the cables have their advantages and disadvantages, specialties, and limitations. Through this blog, we will differentiate between the two and try to understand both in details: History of Fiber & Ethernet Cables The fiber optic technology was first used in 1969 when NASA sent it to the moon for use in television cameras. And a company named Xerox developed Eth...

SF Cable Inc

Search This Blog