AC cables / cords

Mannishboy

Mannishboy

May 20, 2011
110
107
4,606
Evansville, Indiana
#1
Hey all,
I want to make some custom length AC cables with IEC and Power Con connectors. Does anyone here have a preferred 12/3 cord? I'm looking for cable that is pliable, flexible, lays flat, rolls neatly, and doesn't get kinks over time. Any websites where I can purchase cable, ends, etc. would be a great help.
I'm not interested in high-dollar, high-end AC cables.
Thanks for any info!
 
#3
Read carefully the specifcations for maximum outside diameter (OD) for the connector(s) you wish t o use. I think you will find that this rules out a lot of possibilities when using 12 gauge wire.

Do you really need 12 gauge? If this is for a bass amp, it's quite unlikely that 12 gauge will provide ANY benefit and might cause problems you haven't yet considered or experienced. Things like the weight of the cable combined with vibration causing the IEC connector to creep out of the socket.
 
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#4
I agree with what's already been said, get your wire from H.D., and 12 awg is pretty heavy!
Being a fan of overkill & overspecing stuff, I still only go 14 awg for power cords to amps. Once I did some calculations & you'd need a super robust amp to justify 12 awg, unless you were using a 100 foot drop or something.

Southwire 14-3 SJOOW Black 300V (By-the-Foot)-55808699 - The Home Depot

upload_2017-8-31_19-32-31.png


MarkerTek has PowerCon connectors:

Markertek - Search

AFAIK, the IEC connector you're looking for is designated "IEC 320 C13"

Here is one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HC6GXRS/ref=asc_df_B01HC6GXRS5148447

61UQiWu0lxL._SL1100_.jpg


BTW, 12 awg can theoretically handle 9 Amps

Volts x Amps = Watts
so:
110 Volts x 9 Amps = 990 Watts

Is your amp 1,000 Watts?
and you do you run it near 99% volume?

Conversely, if you've got a 500 Watt amp (not taking into account efficiency)

500 Watts / 110 Volts = 4.5 Amp

14 awg can handle 5.9 Amps of current or roughly 650 Watts

Although, if you're using PowerCon connectors, you might be feeding a big rig!

reference:

American Wire Gauge table and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits with skin depth frequencies and wire breaking strength
 
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#6
Munjibunga said:
Bass notes are big notes. Big notes need big cables.
Click to expand...

and "we all know" that the cable has to be heavy to deliver the bass, right? (even if the weight is mostly in the insulation & jacket). ;)
 
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#8
agedhorse said:
and "we all know" that the cable has to be heavy to deliver the bass, right? (even if the weight is mostly in the insulation & jacket). ;)
Click to expand...
Why I only use lead insulated power cords for everything.

Killed_by_Death said:
Is your amp 1,000 Watts?
and you do you run it near 99% volume?
Click to expand...
...as a pure sine wave.

Probably, for overkill, one could calculate by using the rated power consumption on the back of the amp x 1.5. Andy? Or just go with the 14 ga. SJ Killedby posted.
 
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#11
seamonkey said:
Interesting as I do see a lot of line arrays and lighting now use powerCon for chaining
Just not sure if it's something useful for backlines where regular gear would be used.
I like the concept, just like I like speakons.
Click to expand...
Yeah. What I'm doing is making quad outlet boxes with standard outlets (Edison-style?) With a PowerCon in on one side and a PowerCon out on the other. That way I can link them, and I don't have to hit myself in the knees (or worse) with a heavy metal box when I wrap the cables.
 
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#13
Mannishboy said:
Yeah. What I'm doing is making quad outlet boxes with standard outlets (Edison-style?) With a PowerCon in on one side and a PowerCon out on the other. That way I can link them, and I don't have to hit myself in the knees (or worse) with a heavy metal box when I wrap the cables.
Click to expand...
cool idea, but is it legal?

there's lots of code requirements for AC stuff.

(and yeah, i can't see any point in 12g either, 14g is probably overkill since we're still talking about backline stuff using 18g cables plugging into 15A outlets.)
 
#14
walterw said:
cool idea, but is it legal?

there's lots of code requirements for AC stuff.

(and yeah, i can't see any point in 12g either, 14g is probably overkill since we're still talking about backline stuff using 18g cables plugging into 15A outlets.)
Click to expand...

Definitely need to look into the NEC about portable or "entertainment" power drops. There is something about daisy-chaining the neutral connection in pass-through conditions. But I don't have a copy of the NEC codebook around anymore. Hopefully Andy "agedhorse" can step in and clarify.

Be aware that these rules can very from state and county to state and county.

I've seen some 14-gauge and 12-gauge cable where Type SJ was used, but I think that in all cases, SJ won't be legal under the foot traffic condition. SO and SO-W is required and that's where 12-gauge gets be and heavy (and in the case of Coleman cable, very stiff in cold weather).
 
#16
Geri O said:
Definitely need to look into the NEC about portable or "entertainment" power drops. There is something about daisy-chaining the neutral connection in pass-through conditions. But I don't have a copy of the NEC codebook around anymore. Hopefully Andy "agedhorse" can step in and clarify.

Be aware that these rules can very from state and county to state and county.

I've seen some 14-gauge and 12-gauge cable where Type SJ was used, but I think that in all cases, SJ won't be legal under the foot traffic condition. SO and SO-W is required and that's where 12-gauge gets be and heavy (and in the case of Coleman cable, very stiff in cold weather).
Click to expand...


Agreed, there's a whole lot of stuff that comes up, both NEC and UL.

NEC has some pretty specific requirements for portable cords and connectors. Regular quad boxes do not qualify since they are UL listed for installed, protected use only. There are a few specialty portable boxes available from specialty manufacturers, and they are built quite differently. For stage use (and the definition for stage must be clearly defined, as it makes a big difference) type S, SO, SOW which are "severe service" type jackets are required. Junior service (SJ) type cables are not acceptable. This requirement has a lot of interpretation latitude.

The other issue is that some jurisdictions require all portable power strips, extension receptacle boxes, etc. to be a manufactured product carrying a UL listing on the final assembly. Places like L.A. county, Chicago, New York City, etc.

It depends very much the type of events that you are doing and the scrutiny. You and I have been on the pro audio side of things, where this kind of stuff comes up all the time. We may spend as much on power distro, feeder, tails and stringers as many small companies spend on their entire system.

Anybody looking for a set of 2/0, 3 phase, 5 wire CamLock tails? Was cleaning out some cases in the warehouse and found an almost brand new set... probably $250 for 6' of cable w/ connectors new!!!
 
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#17
agedhorse said:
Agreed, there's a whole lot of stuff that comes up, both NEC and UL.

NEC has some pretty specific requirements for portable cords and connectors. Regular quad boxes do not qualify since they are UL listed for installed, protected use only. There are a few specialty portable boxes available from specialty manufacturers, and they are built quite differently. For stage use (and the definition for stage must be clearly defined, as it makes a big difference) type S, SO, SOW which are "severe service" type jackets are required. Junior service (SJ) type cables are not acceptable. This requirement has a lot of interpretation latitude.

The other issue is that some jurisdictions require all portable power strips, extension receptacle boxes, etc. to be a manufactured product carrying a UL listing on the final assembly. Places like L.A. county, Chicago, New York City, etc.

It depends very much the type of events that you are doing and the scrutiny. You and I have been on the pro audio side of things, where this kind of stuff comes up all the time. We may spend as much on power distro, feeder, tails and stringers as many small companies spend on their entire system.

Anybody looking for a set of 2/0, 3 phase, 5 wire CamLock tails? Was cleaning out some cases in the warehouse and found an almost brand new set... probably $250 for 6' of cable w/ connectors new!!!
Click to expand...

Well, let's add some text this time....:D
I'll check with the boss next Tuesday, when I get home. I'm betting he will take those tails....

Stay tuned....G
 
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