Power cords are vital in every industry. Whether in the electronics, hand tool, toy, telecommunications, or appliance industry, your choice of a power cord should be very good, though.
To choose a quality power cord, always first think about the use of the power cord before acquiring one. Then, consider other elements that influence the reliability of a power cord.
This piece describes these elements to help you choose the correct power cord for your specific device. Read on to explore.
Understand Power Cords
A power cord is a valuable electrical component. It helps you connect your electrical appliances to a power supply.
Manufacturers often make power cords from insulated electrical cables. If you observe keenly, you’ll realize that one or both ends of your power cord are molded with connectors.
Interestingly, one of the connectors is a male connector. This male connector enters the wall outlet, extension cord, or electrical receptacle. The other end of the connector is fitted with a female connector that you attach to your electrical device. Sometimes, the female connector is joined to a male connector. Sometimes, your power cord manufacturer can omit the female connector and instead fit the power cord with a fixed cable.
Now that you understand “what a power cord is,” proceed to see what you should consider when choosing a power cord for your electronics.
1. Your Device’s Power Supply System
While you can quickly go to an electrical shop and get a power cord, you should consider some elements to get the right one. In particular, you need to consider your device’s power supply system. If it uses a switch power cord, you need a switch-based power cord.
The most suitable power supply system will contribute to the efficiency of your devices. How you ask? So, your power cords control how much electric power goes into your devices. This means the right power cord will only pass as much current as your monitor or computer needs.
Don’t stop at the proper power supply system. Confirm that your power cord and the device’s switching technologies are compatible. A simple powering on and off of your power cord can reveal the suitability of the switching technology. Do the same for your device. Ensure the connector of your device to the power cord fits accurately. Switch technology compatibility and good fitting will not only reduce your power wastage. It will also improve your experience as you use the power cord and device.
2. Wire Gauge
Electrical engineers advise that you understand everything about wire gauges. Wire gauges determine the ampacity of your wires. Different power cords use varying wire gauges. In any case, getting the right wire gauge for a power cord will ensure your device receives enough power—not too low to reduce efficiency and not too high to cause overheating.
You could wonder what the relationship between a wire gauge and your device is. A wire gauge is made up of many conductive wires. These conductive wires carry current to the power outlet where your device receives the current from. Again, the conductive wires also have varying thicknesses and for specific reasons.
The thicker the conductive wire, the lesser the electrical resistance it has. This means that you should choose thicker wire gauges for heavy power consumers. While different regions may have regional standards for the typical wire gauge, the American Wire Gauge is a standard wire gauge used in most parts of the world. You’ll ensure your safety and power efficiency if you choose the proper wire gauge for your power cord.
3. Voltage Rating
You need to understand voltage ratings to supply your electric devices with only as much power as they need. The balance in the demand and supply of power determines the operational efficiency of your appliances. When your manufacturer recommends that you use a device with a low voltage, get a power cord whose voltage rating is between 0 and 49.
Go for a power cord between 50 and 1000 volts for medium voltage. Should your manufacturer recommend a higher voltage rating, choose power cords whose voltage rating is 1000 to 4160. If you need power cords for power plants, look for a cord supporting extra high volts.
These numbers mean that each power cord’s voltage rating can only distribute as much power as its voltage capacity.
The right voltage for your electrical device guarantees that your device will work optimally.
Using a lower voltage can short-circuit your device and damage your power cord. Sometimes, you could have tried charging your phone, but you realize it charges more slowly than normal.
You may be using a high-voltage power cord on a low-voltage circuit. This ultimately damages your devices.
4. Amperage
Consider amperage as the backbone of an electric current. And you can measure how fast a device charges using amperes.
The number of amperes your power cord passes determines whether your device charges faster or slower. A power cord’s amperage rating compatible with the amperes your device needs will ensure that your power cord only carries as much power as your device needs. This protects your device from overheating and makes your power cord last longer.
To Conclude;
Always check your manufacturer’s recommendation for your device’s power cord. In addition, check the insulation material of your power cord. Insulators protect your power cords from physical damage and electrical leakages. PVC and rubber insulators are good enough.
Consider all these elements, and enjoy your electronic devices with optimal performance.
