Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
(OP)
Power cords with a NEMA 5-15P plug on one end and IEC C13 plug on the other a very common. In looking through specs I find that the 5-15P is rated at 15A while the C13 is rated at only 10A. I would think that the powers that be would not allow this as it could be potentially dangerous.
Is anyone aware of why this is allowed?
Thanks!
Is anyone aware of why this is allowed?
Thanks!






RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_connector
I am sure that everyone has seen and used these power cords, there are millions of them around.
While it is easy to say, just don't plug such a cord into equipment that pulls more than 10A, this would be completely impractical as who would know from a glance what a given piece of equipment draws.
If might be that authorities do not control the cord because they reason that such a cord would plug into a C14 chassis plug and since this is restricted to not draw more than 10A, the C13 would not draw more than 10A.
RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
Lets imagine I am a European who designs a server with a C14 plug that uses 120V/220V power supply. My server needs 1.5 KW to operate which on my 220V system translates to 7A. Now my customer moves the equipment to the US. They see the C14 plug and plug in a standard 5-15P/C13 power cord. Because we are now operating at 120V, the system draws 14A which exceeds the 10A rating of the C13 outlet. Note that the US plug, wire and circuit breaker are just fine as they are rated to carry 15A.
You could plug this same equipment into a 20A circuit and draw almost 20A through the C13 outlet.
I was just wondering if anyone had any knowledge of how the regulatory agencies handled this situation.
RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
respectfully
RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
Similarly you would be restricted to 16A at 120V is using a C20 plug.
Interesting.
Thank you to all that responded.
RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
Here in North America you can buy light duty extension cords that will not handle 15A yet have the 15A plug and receptacle on the ends meaning they are easier to misapply and cause problems compared to the cord set you describe.
RE: Current mismatch 5-15P / C13 power cords
Your comment about light duty power cords not being rated to carry the 15A that the plugs allow raises other questions.
Why would regulatory agencies certify such cords? Are they not potential hazards?
Of course, light duty cords have the major advantage of being very flexible and easy to work with.
Perhaps UL approves such cords assuming that they are likely to be used in situations where drawing near the full 15A is very unlikely (operating power tools, lights and the like) and where overheating would be noticed. OSHA conversely bans power cords for other than temporary use in businesses because they might installed semi-permanently, carry higher currents and be installed in areas (under desks) where they might go unobserved. This is just a guess.