Here’s Everything to Know About Nema & IEC Power Cords

A power cord is one of those items which we often take for granted. Even at the time of buying them, we never pay attention to their small details. But the truth is that you do need to pay attention to the small details while considering the important connections of your office or work.

Mostly all the power cords come in full length. The important thing to consider is that it should feature a lit plug so that even from a distance, you know when it’s powered. You can consider double-insulated conductors surrounded by an outside jacket for more security and rough use. These are sure to not break or crack even in extreme temperatures.

You must consider products that offer a lifetime warranty with purchase. Hence, look out for positive reviews and grab the right one for your use. It would be great for those looking to power their outdoor tools or electronics.

For all these types, one thing you need to consider is safety. Remember that a faulty installation of cables can easily lead to disastrous accidents. Therefore, before you carry out any electrical installation projects, make sure to check all the technical aspects of that environment.

NEMA Power Cord

The US National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) sets a standard for AC mains electricity in North America and other countries. The power cords whose power plugs are used for this are called NEMA power cords. Various types of NEMA power cords have various NEMA connectors.

Given below is a list of some of the different NEMA power cords:

NEMA 1-15 Power Cord

NEMA 1-15 power cords are 2-pronged plugs that fit into your typical 110V AC outlets. It is made of two flat blades, with no ground pin seen in other such power cords. The outlets for these 1-15 power cords are called 1-15-R (R stands for “receptacle”). In the present version of these cords, you’ll find that one blade is slightly wider than its companion.

NEMA 5-20 Power Cord

The NEMA 5-20 power cords consist of two poles and three wires—two blades and a grounding pin where one blade is wider than its mate. These power cords can be used with a maximum of 15A and 125V. NEMA 5 power cords are not suitable for outdoor use.

NEMA 6-20 Power Cord

A NEMA 6-20 power cord is made of a ground pin and two blades and is used for appliances having up to 250V AC and 20A. They are mostly used in extension cords found for commercial or industrial use. This particular cable has one horizontal and one vertical blade that prevents attachment to receptacles having a lower amperage rating.

NEMA L5-15 Locking Power Cord

NEMA L5-15 is a male plug power cord. It consists of two poles and a ground pin. These cords are capable of 15 Amps. They are primarily used in RV parks, campsites, and at marinas.

NEMA L5-20 Locking Power Cord

NEMA L5-20 is also a male plug power cord. It is made of two poles and a ground pin which is rated at 125V. It is efficient at a performance of up to 20 Amps. These cords can be found in technical equipment, computers, and servers.

NEMA L6-20 Locking Power Cord

NEMA L6-20 power cords have a two-pole and three-wire design, capable of working up to 20 Amps with a good 12 AWG cord. They are used for big everyday appliances like large air conditioner units and commercial ovens.

IEC Power Cord

The cords that meet the Internal Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) are commonly known as IEC power cords. These cables have a suitable power plug on one end and a C13 connector on the other.

IEC C5 Power Cord

IEC C5 power cords are often described as inverted power sockets that can be found mostly on power supplies of notebook computers. It is made of a connector having three round prongs, which are arranged in a triangular manner. These are fondly called “Mickey Mouse ears” connectors within the tech circle.

IEC C7 Power Cord

IEC C7 power cords are made of two side-by-side prongs resembling the figure “8”. It is used on radios, different consumer electronic devices, like small home appliances and laptops, and power transformers.

IEC C13 Power Cord

IEC C13 power cords are called “kettle cords” and are the male connectors to IEC C14’s female connectors. These cords are commonly used for medical equipment, IT equipment, commercial appliances, home appliances, professional food equipment, and power distribution devices.

IEC C15 Power Cord

IEC C15 power cords are made to withstand scorching temperatures, which is why they are used in electric kettles, computer networking closets, ethernet switches, etc. They can handle temperature ratings of up to 120℃.

IEC C19 Power Cord

IEC C19 power cords are used to supply power to IT applications where high currents are a necessity. They are used in places like high-power workstations, servers, power distribution units, switches, blade enclosures, and the like. Their common usage is the same as IEC C13 power cords: medical equipment, test equipment, home appliances, commercial appliances, etc.

IEC C21 Power Cord

IEC C21 power cords are similar to the IEC C19 power cords; the only difference is that IEC C21 power cords are made to handle equipment with higher temperatures. The IEC C19 power cord can work up to 65℃, while the IEC C21 power cord can withstand temperatures up to 155℃.

SF Cable stocks all of these cords; you can understand them more from our website and blog. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.