In hospitals, medical clinics, production floor cells, and standard brick-and-mortar offices, the spatial relationship of diagnostic equipment, heavy machinery, and peripheral devices and their AC power outlets can become a tricky geometry to solve—equipment placed tightly against walls where odd angles and tight corners loom. Whether your power cords are 7 or 50 feet in length, you may need cords with angled plugs and cord clips, the latter made of glass-filled polypropylene resin for maximum retention to secure the slack of your excess cord.

Angled NEMAs

While each angled NEMA 5-15 cord is constructed of only one molded plug bridge, a section of the mold can be rotated to mold 8 different angles (cord directions) per customer specification. The company does not require order minimums as it uses a quick-change molding process for its country-specific cord sets. Interpower’s angled NEMA 5-15s are known in the industry for use in “impossible” spaces, and are especially helpful in 4- to 6-gang electrical outlets located in walls and floors where space is at a minimum.

Like standard NEMA 5-15 cords, the angled NEMA 5-15s are subjected to the rigorous Abrupt Pull Test found in UL 817, section 12.5. Clause 12.5.3.1. The clause states: “Six representative assemblies consisting each of an attachment cord or current tap molded onto a flexible cord 0.3 m (12 in) in length are necessary for the test. Those having a ground pin in the up position, except for right-angle cords, which shall be tested only in the cord down position.”

One common loss of electrical continuity is caused from acute bend radius near the plug. “It is important to avoid unnecessarily damaging the cable which can shorten its life, potentially leading to shock or fire,” said Technical Support Specialist Dan Ford. “The end use of the cable plays a big role in what the bend radius will be. If the cord is plugged into the wall and then yanked side to side for removal, that will violate its bend radius. If the cord is twisted severely, that also will affect it. Bend radius failures usually occur over time and eventually the cable will no longer transmit power.”

Adding Molded Cord Clips

Molded cord clips ensure extra cord can be taken up to prevent human injury; it can prevent cord abrasion by reducing drag to preserve the jacketing. And excess cord slack can get caught in machinery.

The cord clip is comprised of a special glass-filled polypropylene resin ensuring a molding consistency and optimal retention under strained conditions. To strike a balance between cord-retention strength and ease of insertion force, the company asked customers what designs and properties they were searching for in a cord clip.

Cord clips can be molded onto 3x16, 3x18 AWG, and 3x1.25 mm², 3x1.0 mm² cords. The clips are molded onto the cords at a convenient 4.75 inches behind the plug as an optimal distance. For customization, the clip can be molded farther away from the plug. The angled NEMAs and the cord clips come in gray and black and are manufactured in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Interpower cords and components are made in accordance with Interpower’s product quality plan: hipot testing, continuity testing, and ground testing with multiple inspections.

The cord clip resin is considered a stable thermoplastic with no chemical reactivity under normal ambient or anticipated temperatures and pressures. This Material is not deemed “hazardous” by OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200, and is not an RCRA hazardous waste compounded resin. The clip is not subject to California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Proposition 65) reporting, and is not classified as a carcinogen to humans. Ignition temperature of the thermoplastic is estimated at 650°F.

Note: This post was originally published 07/18/2024, and has been updated on 04/01/2025 with new information.