InfoPower

Cable is a sleek composite of resins and metals which are vital materials of making world-class power cords and cord sets. While dependable and durable, even essential to modern-day life, cable is also susceptible to acute bending, especially near the point where the cord exits the equipment. Underneath the smooth resinous skin of our example cord, lay three conductors of extruded copper wire. If those wires are extremely bent or otherwise damaged, the result could be loss of electrical continuity or shortened lifespan—protecting your cord’s bend radius helps maintain connectivity. And understanding your cord’s recommended minimum bend radius for cable is critical to the maintenance and longevity of the cable and the machines and equipment powering them.

Passports to Global Markets Designing an accessory power system using IEC 60320 components eliminates the need for end users worldwide to reconfigure cords once they arrive. By creating a common interface, IEC 60320 products create a common connector interface making it possible for entire designs to be built around them. Like having a passport at the ready for traveling abroad, IEC 60320 products complement any country-specific plug if the opposite end of the cord is terminated with an IEC connector to plug into an accessory power strip or a power distribution unit. It also allows the option of not having to warehouse country-specific plugs.

Universal Jumper Cord Set/Appliance Couplers Q: Our company spec sheet shows the cable we’ve been using is rated at 10A. However, the cable we received is rated “12A.” If the cable is rated at 10A, and one of the two connectors is rated at 10A but the other connector is rated at 12A, we don’t want people thinking it’s ok to run 11A of current through a 10A cable. The temperature rating is also different. Could you clarify these differences?

Throughout the year, Interpower will publish its most frequently asked questions from customers. Q: Beyond the agency testing conducted by Product Develop Manager Ron Barnett at Interpower’s testing lab in Ames, Iowa, what real-time testing does Interpower conduct at its on-site manufacturing locations in Oskaloosa and Lamoni during the manufacturing process?

With numerous country-specific configurations of plug and socket patterns being used worldwide, the prospect of exporting overseas may seem daunting. Accessory Power Systems are electrical passports to global markets, offering end users the versatility of connecting to country-specific power by using just one country-specific plug on a cord set, which is rated per the standards of the agency representing that country.