How to Distinguish Between C5 and C7 Power Cords?

There is no doubt that the functionality of electronic equipment is significantly influenced by the power cords. When you choose to work with electrical appliances, you may have come across several kinds of cords including c5 power cords and c7 power cords.

However, what is crucial is understanding that these two power cords are not the same entirely. They come with significant differences. Wondering what those are? Well, before you pick between these for your electronic gadget, let's discover the difference they both share.

What is Meant by c5 Power Cords?

The first types of cord are the C5 power cords which are basically three-pronged and are also known as the "Mickey Mouse" connectors. This is because they have a very unusual design and are used for laptops and other compact electronic devices.

These types of power cords connect easily to the power source and come with a Clover shape connector that fastens to the power adapter. One of the main advantages of the c5 connector is its versatile nature. This means it can easily connect with any electronic equipment as it is made to meet the power requirements of tiny devices without causing any harm. Simply put, it is a very safe choice to prefer.

What is Meant by c7 Power Cords?

On the other hand, the C7 Power Cords are basically two-prong power cords which are often known as "figure-8" connectors. These are frequently used for smaller electronic devices like game consoles, audio appliances and whatnot. These have a two-pronged socket which connects them to the power source.

Also, it comes with a figure 8-shaped connection which connects it to the power adapter. The c7 power cord has a compact size that makes it perfect to be used for smaller electronic gadgets. This is somewhat the best advantage it has to offer. As designed to meet the power requirements of tiny devices without leading to overheating problems, they are also referred to as the safe choice.

What is the Difference between c5 Power Cord and c7 Power Cord?

Before you make a purchase, you must keep in mind the difference between the c5 Power Cord and c7 Power Cord. To know about the difference check below.

• Shape

One of the first differences that you can spot to distinguish between the power cords is the shape. Their shapes differ from one to another. The c5 connectors are basically clover-shaped.

Whereas the c7 connectors are figure- 8 -shaped. This simply indicates that the power codes are very different from one another which also makes them incompatible further concluding that they cannot be used together.

• Voltage

The Voltage is another difference which sets the c5 power cord from the c7 power cord.

The IEC C5 power cord comes with a maximum of 2.5 amps and 250 volts.

Whereas, for the IEC C7 power chord, the maximum is 2.5 amps and 125 volts. This means that the IEC C5 power cord is better suited for usage with larger electrical equipment when compared to the IEC C7 power cord. This shows that c5 can withstand higher voltage levels.

What to Look for When Buying c5 Power Cords?

The first step to buying C5 power cords is identifying the necessary purchases for the task at hand. Connecting processors to a monitor and dividing the signal between two monitors are the major chores to look into. When connecting a display to a processor, a different kind of cord is required than dividing a signal into two or more routes.

You must also recognize the ports correctly. Also, the gender of the monitor cable needs to be understood in order to identify the cable capable of facilitating the required task. The numerous characteristics of power cables become relevant at the time of buying.

Therefore, it is important to know the c5 power cord length before making a purchase.

Also, the length of the cable should also be considered as long cables require superior materials when compared to shorter ones comparatively.

What to Look for When Buying c7 Power Cords?

On the other hand, when buying a c7 power cord, you must keep in mind that they are designed for low-powered appliances. These include CD players, audio equipment, video appliances, TV, laptops and more. Also, make sure to keep in mind that the cables are at least two meters long and must be moulded with PVC connectors.

Which is Better - c5 Power Cords and c7 Power Cords?

Regardless of the type of electrical equipment, you are using - make sure to choose between c5 and c7 power cords. For instance, when using appliances like laptops or compact devices, you can opt for a c5 power cord. Whereas, when using smaller electrical gadgets, you can use a c7 power cord. Simply put, the c5 and c7 power cords are crucial parts for supplying electricity to electronic gadgets. Despite having a similar appearance, they have unique forms and power ratings which allows them to be used with a variety of electronic equipment.

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.