Cable &Wiring
Top Tips for power cord selecTion
Making sure you specify the right power cord or cord set for international use is a key to successful export
In today’s truly globalmarket,manufacturers of electronic equipment know that in order to prosper, and in some cases to survive, theymust export vigorously. One of themain considerations is to provide the end user with the correctmeans of connecting to their localmain supply by choosing the right power cord and or cord set for that region.
plug patterns
There are a number of plug patterns in use across the globe including both the three pin Class I and two pin Class II configurations. There are obviouslymore countries in the world than plug patterns, and itmay not be obvious what is needed in some developing nations. The plug pattern for any country in the world can be seen in the designer’s guide reference pages of the Interpower website, as taken fromtest agency references across the world.
Bear inmind that some plug patterns look the same, but there
aremajor differences beyond the pin pattern. One way to ensure you have the correct part is to question the approvals on the power cord or cord set. Examples of this are the North American and Japanese Class I plugs, which look identical. North American cords, however, do not carry the Japanese symbol and therefore should not be exported for use in Japan. The same can be said for Japanese cords, which will not carry UL or UR approval. Other similarities in appearance are seen in the Australian, Argentinian and Chinese as well as the Switzerland and Brazilian plug patterns.
cable construction
Once you have established the plug pattern, you will need to consider the cable. Electrical cable for North Americamay look the same as the European harmonised cable typically used in other countries, but it has a slightly different construction. Countries like Japan and China also have different cable types and will need approval fromtest agencies in those countries. Simply replacing the plug froma cord set will notmake it acceptable for a different region, since cord and plug need to be compatible.
In order to choose the correct cord or cord set, youmust know 12 | November/December 2011
the amperage and voltage rating required for the equipment you are going to export. Higher or lower amperage canmean a different plug pattern, even in the same country. Amperage requirements will also affect the cable size.
When exporting electronic products cord setsmust be considered
North America has a different voltage, amperage and frequency
compared tomuch of the rest of the world. It is also essential to know the amperage, voltage and frequency for themain supply in the country to which you are exporting. For information on the world’s voltage and frequency requirements, the Interpower guide to worldwide plugs and socket patterns is available on-line.
Maximise compatibility
Using a detachable cord set allows equipment to be exported to a variety of countries. The detachable cord set has a country-specific plug and an IEC connector joined by a length of cable. The IEC connectormates with an IEC inlet in the equipment, enabling OEMs to design equipment for use anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, the equipmentmay be designed with a
continuous hardwired power cord where the internal wires of the cord are hardwired into terminations within the equipment and usually supported with a cable gland, or strain relief. This can be an advantage where there is limited panel space to place an inlet, but once a power cord is connected to the equipment, it can only be exported to a country that accepts the country-specific plug at the other end.
It is also important to recognise the differences between Class I
and Class II power cords and cord sets. A Class I power cord or cord set has a connection to earth, or ground, for reasons of
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