| General > General Technical Chat |
| Lighweight AC line cords? |
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| switchabl:
So we are talking IEC C13 power cords here, right? Because those are typically only rated for 10A anyway. So that would usually be 3x0.75mm2. And frankly, even if you could make the conductors thinner, there are diminishing returns. The insulation still needs to be mains-rated, so you can't really make that thinner (do NOT use microphone cable for mains voltage like someone suggested :wtf:). It might also be plugged and unplugged, bent, pulled, stepped on etc reasonably frequently so the jacket needs to be at least somewhat robust. Using something more flexible than standard PVC here would make a pretty big difference though. Maybe someone does "premium" IEC cords with rubber/silicone/textile jackets. |
| IDEngineer:
--- Quote from: switchabl on January 31, 2024, 06:50:28 pm ---Using something more flexible than standard PVC here would make a pretty big difference though. Maybe someone does "premium" IEC cords with rubber/silicone/textile jackets. --- End quote --- I do have a couple of line cords with the "figure 8" (C7 two prong) or "mickey mouse" (C5 three prong) device-end connectors and those have quite thin and flexible cords. Just need to find the equivalent for C13. |
| floobydust:
It's a problem with power cords having national or international safety approvals. Safety standards have tests for abrasion, bending, pull and many more. There are loopholes. It's complicated: https://shop.worldcordsets.com/shop For line cords (not IEC, not extension) of course the skinniest come from china, rated 2.5A CCC approved, 0.75mm2 60227 IEC53 wire. I've seen them on a Walmart DVD player and Amazon Shark USB charger. Very scary. You wouldn't step on them. https://shop.worldcordsets.com/shop/categories/China-Power-Cords I'm assuming there must be an upstream fuse in chinese plugs? - their ain't in North America. I don't fully understand IEC cords rated 6A despite a 15A branch circuit feed. I find the copper thin but plastic thick. IEC didn't want to have another key yet these cords do get mixed up with 15A cords. I would there are no magical skinny power cords- I would say you can go shorter or more expensive (better plastics) or add a fuse upstream at the plug which is common in other countries. |
| Nusa:
Maybe something like this would save you some room: https://www.amazon.com/Computer-Power-Splitter-Cord-5-15P/dp/B09B7G9D4Q/ |
| rcjoy:
The flat cable style can be more flexible. |
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