Page 2 - Power Cords

Power cords, simply put, can be dangerous. Now when you think of the word “dangerous”, a power cord is probably not the first image that jumps into your head. And granted, a regular power cord is not as dangerous as something like a high voltage line at a substation. But while you may not need to be a licensed electrician to plug something into a wall outlet, it is important to remember that accidents do happen.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), roughly 4,000 people treated in emergency rooms are injured each year by power cords. Half of these injuries alone include fractures, contusions, lacerations, and sprains from people tripping over power cords. It is also estimated that roughly 3,300 home fires start each year due to power cords, with an estimated 270 people injured and 50 killed from the fires. Be safe, not a statistic.

Tripping Hazards

The number one cause of injury for power cords is tripping. A power cord should never be stretched across a room

So, you need a new power cord. Maybe the old cord for your TV got lost when you were moving, or that new computer did not have a power cord in the box when you opened it. For whatever the reason, you need something to make that power button light up when you push it.

There are different types of power cords out there so step one will be determining which kind you will need. But even after you narrow that down, there are still other factors to take into consideration. The first cord you find may be able to do the job, but it is important to make sure the job is done right.

Length

The length of a cord is the first and foremost factor to take into consideration. Naturally, you want to make sure you have a cord that is long enough. Grab your measuring tape and start by finding the power port on your computer, TV, or other device. Measure from that spot to the wall outlet you plan on using. For good measure, add an extra 3 to 6 inches to give the cable a little slack.

Ideally, you want a cable

SAINT LOUIS, Missouri, Mar. 4, 2019 – ShowMeCables, an Infinite Electronics brand and leading supplier of connectivity solutions, is proud to announce their new line of power cords. Consisting of over 300 different types of NEMA, IEC, international, hospital grade and angled cords, this new line ensures that ShowMeCables will continue to serve the power demands for IT, Data Center and OEM markets. Readily available power cords include lengths from 1-25 feet, multiple colors, plug orientations, and wire gauges.

ShowMeCables’ manufacturing process emphasizes quality and reliability. Each cable is tested and conforms to the most stringent industry tests and certifications- RoHS, UL, WEEE, REACH and ISO 9001.

This project was made possible thanks to the diligence and dedication of leading Product Manager Andrew Johnston. Spearheading this initiative from the very beginning, Johnston was happy to announce the final result of his endeavors, “Our continuously growing line of readily available

Surge protectors are a simple way to protect electronics from electrical damage. Power surges can range anywhere from small impulses that gradually wear equipment down to lightning strikes that could fry everything electrical in an entire building. Not all surge protectors are equal and it is important to know the different features offered before selecting one.

Surge Protectors vs. Power Strips

The terms “surge protector” and “power strip” are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. A power strip is anything that plugs into a single wall outlet and gives it multiple outlets. Not every single power strip out there has surge protection built into it. If a power strip is priced especially low, it most likely does not have any form of surge protection. While these can be used for additional outlets, they will do nothing to protect your electronics from electrical surges.

Surge protectors (also called surge suppressors) are designed to stop excess electricity from

Power cables are incredibly varied, with different types of cables and standards being set by their use and the country they are used in. In the United States alone, there are over a dozen types that are commonly used. Each type of power cable connector has its own name, so most power cables will have two names associated with them. There are two main standards for power cables in the US, NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

Types of NEMA connectors include:

• 1-15
• 5-15
• 5-20

Types of IEC connectors include:

• C5/C6
• C7/C8
• C13/C14
• C15/C16
• C19/C20

NEMA

Many cables will contain either a NEMA 1-15, 5-15, or 5-20 connector for connecting to a wall outlet. 1-15 is the older, ungrounded type of connector with two metal prongs. On old cables, these prongs can be the same size, but typically one is slightly larger than the other. 5-15 is the three-pronged upgrade to 1-15 that has been grounded. 5-20 looks similar to 5-15

What are Lightning Cables?

Lightning cables are a type of cable designed to be used specifically with iPhones. Functionally, they are very similar to the standard types of USB cables used with Android phones. Lightning cables are proprietary to Apple and the only type of connection that will work for charging most iPhones or connecting them to other devices.

Apple introduced Lightning cables in September 2012 to replace older, bulkier connectors. Any iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device made after late 2012 likely uses a lightning connection. Lightning cables are not compatible with older Apple devices that use the wider, 30-pin style connectors.

There are some MacBooks that use a USB-C connection instead of lightning cables. Be sure to check a MacBook to see what it uses before purchasing a cable. Being proprietary, it can be a bit tricky to find lightning cables and accessories without purchasing expensive items from Apple directly. Thankfully, Apple does allow a certain degree of freedom

What are Portable Cords?

A portable cord is a type of power cable designed for temporary use. Portable cords are multi-conductor cables that come in a variety of AWGs. Depending on the specifications of the cord, they can power anything from handheld tools to heavy machinery.

Aside from different AWGs, there are a number of classifications that can be applied to portable cords. Each portable cord has associated letter codes indicating exactly what it is built for. Since portable cords can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial areas, the exact specs of the cord will depend on its application.

Letter Codes

The letter codes used for portable cords are defined by Underwriters Labs:

• S = Severe Service Cord
• SJ = Junior Severe Service
• SVT = Vacuum Cleaner Cord
• T = Tinsel Cord (only if “T” is the first letter)
• T = Thermoplastic (if “T” is not the first letter)
• H = Heat Resistant
• HH = High Heat Resistant
• N = Nylon Outer Jacket
• E = Elastomer
• O = Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket
• OO = Oil-Resistant

What are Tray Cables?

Tray cables are power cables used in industrial settings such as factories, utility substations, and more. Along with power, tray cables can also be used for communications. Tray cables were first invented to replace smaller cables that had issues with power and communications failure. Today, tray cables are required for many industrial applications in accordance with the National Electric Code (NEC).

As the name implies, tray cables are meant to be used in trays or other conduit like raceway or wiring ducts. The NEC requires that tray cable is supported every six feet. Tray cable must also meet the exposed run requirement for the property it is on.

The most valuable aspect of tray cable is its versatility. They are designed to be used in many rough environments and are built to be waterproof, UV resistant, and resistant to high temperatures. Whether for a light residential project or heavy machinery on a construction site, tray cable is built to get the job done.

What are Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Cables?

To understand Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) cables, the first step is to look at VFDs themselves. VFDs (also called Adjustable Frequency Drives and Variable Voltage/Variable Frequency Drives) are adjustable speed drives utilized in electro-mechanical systems. A VFD allows users to control voltage and input frequency to adjust torque and AC motor speed.

It is true that VFDs and VFD cables are not the only option for powering industrial equipment. However, they have a number of advantages over their competitors. The precision control enabled by a VFD stops energy from being wasted. The efficiency of using a VFD allows machinery work smarter instead of harder, reducing wear and tear so motors last longer. This also makes the equipment more reliable overall and reduces the amount of maintenance and downtime users will have to deal with.

VFDs can be used in a wide range of applications, from mid-sized machinery to large-scale equipment in industrial

What is Digital Lighting Management?

Digital Lighting Management (DLM) is a new, innovative system designed to maximize energy savings in each and every room of any building. In the state of California, DLM is now required to keep buildings up to code. This system will not only meet state codes but exceed their requirements to save energy costs on any electrically powered equipment.

The cables used for DLM, called Lighting Control Cables, are compatible with a variety of devices, from wall switches to occupancy sensors, to ensure the individuals using the devices are contributing towards your energy savings just as much as your new lighting control cables and DLM system. Even in areas where state codes have not implemented this requirement yet, installing this system now will optimize your energy savings even sooner.

How does Digital Lighting Management work?

DLM utilizes ethernet cables with RJ45 jacks, similar to a line used between a modem and computer. Designed for easy installation,