6 Primary Types of Power Cord

In 1882, Thomas Edison started the power distribution process by wrapping a copper rod in jute. He used a soft, shiny fiber from plants as an insulator. From there, it came to the 1950s when PVC-covered cords were producing efficient and durable cords. With a long list of research and experiment, power cords hold history between the 1880s to date. Let us see which type of power cords are useful in these times:

Types of Power Cords

1. AC Cords

These are a means of supplying electrical energy to electrical equipment from a power source. They are useful with applications like:

• Electrical power tools
• Lighting
• Household appliances
• Musical instruments
• Shop equipment
• Personal uses

AC (alternating current) that connects cords forms a cable assembly with wires. These wires can be rubber or polymer for insulation and plugs, including prongs, wire terminals, and casing. Most of these are AC-powered with different voltages.

Manufacturers of AC cords have exact required specifications for their construction, including:

• Voltage rating
• Wire shape
• Current rating
• Wire size
• Length
• Sheathing material
• Connectors
• Types of plugs

The connector attaches to the electrical equipment. And the plug connects to the electrical receptacle or power supply.

Since different countries use different voltages and frequencies in their AC power, the cords must fit their standards to perform safely and correctly. AC plug types go from A through O and it further breaks down into categories with slight variations.

Modern AC cords are either of two:

• Polarized
• Grounded

For a Safety Measure

Higher voltage appliances and electrical equipment usually have the risk of shock. In such conditions, polarization ensures that the equipment currently connects to a neutral grounded side of the circuit. This is to reduce the risk of potential shock. Almost all the sensitive electrical equipment uses grounded or polarized power cords.

2. Generator Cords

Built and designed to meet the needs of a generator, these cords have a wide range of options to choose from. It includes cords from 15-amp ratings to 30-amp ones along with a series of various connectors. The most common types of these are:

• 5
• L5
• L14
• 14
• TT
• CS

These cords relate to the receptacle labels. There are different options available to choose from when you are looking for an ideal generator power cord. Many manufacturers might give you the option to build your own custom cord. This way you can ensure that you have the exact wire sizes. Custom wires also minimize the voltage losses for your desired length of wire.

3. Power Supply Cords

Also known as an electric cord, a power supply cord serves as a connector between a primary power source and an electrically powered piece of equipment. You can find these cords almost everywhere. For instance, power cables are useful in daily necessities like lighting, sound, household, and power tools.

These cords include a conducting medium (mainly copper) concealed by an insulating, protective material. There are some detachable cords, and others that stay attached to the piece of equipment. These cords can be flat or round, coiled, retracted, etc., depending on the application. Like coiled cords are useful in appliances like production line tools, mobile pushcarts, barcode readers, computers, etc.

4. Cord Sets

These conduct electricity and involve:

• A conductor like copper
• Insulation material
• Protective covering

Additionally, there are other components, including:

• Electrical fuses for preventing surges in voltage
• A method of checking voltage
• A current leak detection component

Sensitive equipment includes a protective material for minimizing the effect of electromagnetic energy. Most cord sets use AC power. Cord sets are useful wherever electrical equipment and appliances apply, like in retail, industrial, commercial, and residential locations.

5. Electric Cords

Any electrical equipment that requires connection to a power source consists of an electric cord. Most of the electric cords are flexible or semi-rigid. The connection between the plug and the receptacle should perfectly fit to let the cord transfer electrical energy safely and successfully between the source and appliance.

6. Extension Cords

Also known as extension leads or power extenders, extension cords come in several varieties, including the ones that are hundreds of feet long. An extension cord has a long cable with a plug at one end and sockets to connect the appliances at the other end. This cord supplies power to equipment and is useful in locations that lack convenient sources like:

• Construction sites
• Power tools
• Emergency medical defibrillators

Common Types of Cords

• C17 Power Cord

The C17 power cord is useful in low voltage appliances like video/audio equipment, laptop power supplies, etc.

• C13 Power Cord

The C13 power cord is useful in electronic equipment like computers, servers, and monitors.

• C14

This is useful in monitors, printers, instrument amplifiers, etc.

• C15

This is useful in high-temperature surroundings like computer networking closets and electric kettles.

• C19

This is useful with servers and power distribution units.

• C20

This is useful to connect a server to a PDU in the data center environment.

I hope this guide to types of cords helped you to find the needed information. And hopefully it can guide you to choose the correct power cord to fulfill your purpose and requirements.

Jennifer Truong is the owner of SF Cable, a california based online retailer of all kind of Computers, electronics, electrical accessories, networking accessories, cables, wires. Jennifer has extensive experience in the Electronics industry and blog.