A Universal Power Cord is a convenient alternative for supplying power to your device at odd times, especially when your regular cord fails to perform.

Universal Power Cord

OverviewA universal power cord is used to transfer power between different devices. They are often used in place of lost or damaged power cord, as they're a cheaper option in comparison to buying a replacement power cord from a device manufacturer. A universal power cord can be kept as a convenient spare alternative in case one of your regular cords fails. The most common type of universal power cord is a simple connector designed to run from the wall outlet to the adapter that supplies your device with the lower voltage that it needs.

Considerations The first thing you need to remember about universal power cords is that they're not quite as universal as you'd hope. There are different types of such cords available in the market, all with varying characteristics. It's important to be sure that a cord will be suitable for powering the device that you plan to run from it. After-market power cords often fit less suitably or perform less reliably than the ones that come with the device when you first buy it. This isn't really surprising — the manufacturer of a laptop or a VDU knows the exact specifications of the device, the cord will be used with, so they can fine-tune their power cords for best performance. Universal power cords, in contrast, must be able to cope with a lot of varying conditions; a degree of compromise is, thus, inevitable.

Types Although the actual electrical connections are the same across different types of cords, the shape of the housing may make it tricky to push the connector into place. Take a look at the power cord you're replacing and compare it with the one you're planning to buy. The connector that plugs into your printer, adapter or other device may be straight or right-angled; it's a good idea to use a similar connector, as the cable may otherwise be subjected to additional stress. You can find universal power cords with an additional power outlet at the end, which plugs into the wall; this isn't strictly necessary but it allows you to plug more than one device into the same outlet.

Other Features Power cords come in male and female types. The female type is far more common but the male type, which has prongs rather than sockets, is sometimes used. A power cord may come with a fused plug; this is a good safety feature, but beware of cords with low-rated fuses that will blow if you try to use the cord with anything too power-hungry. Another major feature that's often overlooked is the length. If your new cord is too short, it may not reach where you want it to go; too long, and it can become an untidy trip hazard. The coiled cord can also produce electromagnetic interference. The price of a universal power cord will tend to reflect its quality; since they all look very similar, it may be tempting to buy the cheapest one in the store, but this can prove to be a faulty choice later. Thus, spending a little more on a cord that will resist wear and tear is a good investment.