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From: Apache Wiki <wikidiffs@apache.org>
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Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 08:25:51 -0000
Message-ID: <20060217082551.6404.23538@ajax.apache.org>
Subject: [Cocoon Wiki] Update of "power cord" by wangdongqing

Dear Wiki user,

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The following page has been changed by wangdongqing:
http://wiki.apache.org/cocoon/power_cord

New page:
A '''mains cable''' ([[Commonwealth English]]) or '''power cord''' ([[American English]]) is 

cable that temporarily connects an [[Small appliance|electrical appliance]] to an electrical 

power source.  The term is generally used for cables connecting to a single-phase 

[[alternating current]] power source at "[[mains]] [[voltage]]" (100 to 240 volts, depending 

on the location).  The terms '''power cable''', '''mains lead''' or '''flex''' are also used.  

The term '''cord set''' is also used to distinguish those cords that include connectors molded 

to the cord at each end.

[[United States|American]], [[Canada|Canadian]] or [[Japan]]ese power cords tend to be bulkier 

than the mains cables used in the rest of the world, because of the higher currents required 

to deliver the same power ([[watt]]s) at 110 V compared with 230&nbsp;V.  

Power cables may be either fixed or detachable from the appliance.  In the case of detachable 

leads, the appliance end of the power cord has a socket (female connector) rather than a plug 

(male connector) to link it to the appliance, to avoid the dangers from having a live 

protruding pin.  Cords may also have twist-locking features, or other attachments to prevent 

accidental disconnection at one or both ends.

Common types of detachable power cable have appliance-side connectors such as the ''[[IEC 

60320 C13]]'' sometimes colloquially known as an "IEC connector" or "IBM plug"  (commonly used 

for higher current appliances where an earth or ground connection is required) and ''[[IEC 

60320 C7]]'' commonly used for low-current applications such as an [[electronic power 

supply|power supply]] inlet for use with a [[laptop computer]]. The IEC C7 is also known as a 

"figure-of-eight lead" (connecting by two small round pins, with round insulating bushings; 

the connector has a figure-of-eight cross section).

IEC power cables come in high-temperature and low-temperature variants, as well as various 

current capacities.  The connectors have slightly different shapes to ensure that it is not 

possible to substitute a cable with a lower temperature or current rating, but that it ''is'' 

possible to use an over-rated cable.  Cords also have different types of exterior jackets 

available to accommodate environmental variables such as moisture, temperature, oils, 

sunlight, flexibility, and heavy wear.  For example, a heating appliance may come with a cord 

designed to withstand accidental contact with heated surfaces.

Note that the same types of connectors are used with both 110&nbsp;V and 230&nbsp;V power 

cables, so care must be used when moving appliances between countries with different voltage 

standards &mdash; substituting a power cord that matches local power outlets will result in an 

incorrect voltage being applied to the appliance or equipment. Unless explicitly labelled as 

capable of handling local voltages, this is very likely to damage or destroy the appliance.

[[Image:PC flex with CEE 7-7 plug.png]]

==See also==
* [[Alternating current]] (AC)
* [[Domestic AC power plugs and sockets]]
* [[List of countries with mains power plugs, voltages & frequencies|Chart of plugs for each 

country]]
* [[Extension cable|Extension cord, extension lead]]
* [[Power cable]]
* [[Power strip]]
* [[Power supply]]

== External links ==

* [https://domino.iec.ch/webstore/webstore.nsf/artnum/027220 IEC.ch] &mdash; link to buy the 

actual IEC 60320 specification
* [http://www.accesscomms.com.au/iec320.htm Access Communications] &mdash; a commercial site 

with nice diagrams of IEC 60320 connectors
* [http://www.otto-heil.de/pdf/references.pdf Technical details and explanation (PDF) -

bilingual (German/English)]
* [http://www.zj-yunhuan.com/ zj-yunhuan.com] - One of The China Manufacturer Of Power Cord

[[Category:Power cables|Cord]]
[[Category:Consumer electronics]]


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