Power Cords

The power supply cords and the interconnection cords are based on standardized individual components (connectors, power plugs or appliance outlets and various power cord types).

The individual conductors of the flexible cords are, depending on their use in power supply cords and interconnection cords, divided into IEC-compliant nominal current classes and therefore require a length-dependent minimum nominal cross-sectional area (gauge).

Type and min. nominal cross-sectional area for flexible cords or cables:

* if the flexible cord or cable is not longer than 2 m, a nominal cross-sectional area of 0.5 mm2 is admissible.
** if the flexible cord or cable is longer than 2 m, the nominal cross-sectional area for the connectors have to be:
- 1 mm2 for connectors 10 A
- 1.5 mm2 for connectors 16 A

These cross-sectional areas are likewise subdivided, in compliance with American standards, into classes according to AWG. Hence, cord configurations can be made on the basis of the conductor cross-sectional areas and the AWG classes.

Comparison chart metric-AWG wire sizes:

Definition of cord length for complete power supply cords (plug and connector)

According to EN 60320-1 §21, the lengths of the power supply cord is defined by the visible length of the cord, form the bushing to the bushing. The length SL is a dimension which is necessary for the manufacturing process and results from the length of the cord and its components.

Definition of cord lengths for open-end power supply cords

The length of the open-end cord is defined as the length of the cord from the bushing to the cut (if there are several conductors of different length, the longest individual conductor (ML) is used for establishing the length of the cord). The lenght SL is a dimension which is necessary for the manufactoring process and results from the lenght of the cord and its components. In order to properly treat the open end, we need the following information from you:

• Sheath stripping length ML (i.e. length of the longest individual conductor)

• Stripping length (AL1 ...)

• Conductor stripping length (IL1 ...)

• Treatment of conductor ends (if any) (e.g. tinned, conductor end bushings, flat pin bushings, ring tongue...)

When simply stripping the conductor, the stripped insulation is usually left on the conductor in order to keep the stranded wire from becoming frayed.

Stockpiling and manufacturing reasons, the cord length per injection-molded power plug or connector may vary by +/- 60mm.