107
Wire Size Specifications
Wire Type
Dimensions
(inches)
Stranding
Rated Current
(amps)
Weight
lbs./1,000 ft.
Wire Type
Dimensions
(inches)
Stranding
Rated Current
(amps)
Weight
lbs./1,000 ft.
20/2 POXT
.096 x .185
26/34
3
18
18/3 SVTO
.260
41/34
10
42
18/2 SPT-1
.105 x .203
41/34
10
20
18/2 SJT
.298
16/30
10
44
18/2 SPT-2
.140 x .262
41/34
10
29
16/2 SJT
.330
26/30
13
57
16/2 SPT-2
.155 x .285
65/34
13
37
18/3 SJT
.320
16/30
10
59
18/2 HPN
.144 x .286
41/34
10
30
16/3 SJT
.345
26/30
13
72
16/2 HPN
.155 x .305
65/34
13
38
14/3 SJT
.375
41/30
15
94
18/3 SPT-1
.110 x .303
41/34
10
31
12/3 SJT
.445
65/30
20
136
18/3 SPT-2
.140 x .335
41/34
10
37
18/3 SV
.255
41/34
10
33
18/3 SPT-3
.170 x .380
41/34
10
48
18/3 SJ
.320
16/30
10
60
16/3 SPT-2
.155 x .380
65/34
13
49
16/3 SJ
.345
26/30
13
74
16/3 SPT-3
.185 x .435
65/34
13
62
14/3 SJ
.375
41/30
15
97
14/3 SPT-3
.235 x .500
41/30
15
97
12/3 SJ
.449
65/30
20
140
18/3 HPN
.136 x .335
41/34
10
42
18/3 SJO
.320
16/30
10
60
16/3 HPN
.150 x .365
65/34
13
55
16/3 SJO
.345
26/30
13
74
18/2 SVT
.240
41/34
10
34
14/3 SJO
.375
41/30
15
87
18/2 SVT
.230
65/36
10
34
18/3 SO
.382
16/30
10
92
18/3 SVT
.255
41/34
10
42
16/3 SO
.400
26/30
13
112
18/3 SVT
.245
65/36
10
42
14/3 SO
.549
41/30
15
192
Harmonization Codes
108
Wire Comparison
109
Straight Blade NEMA Configurations
110
Locking NEMA Configurations
111
International Standardized Appliance Connectors IEC-60320
Metric Conversion Guide
112
Plug & Receptacle Dimensions
All dimensions are in mm (millimeters)
113
114
115
116
117
118
Country
Voltage / Frequency
Afghanistan
220V / 50Hz
Algeria
127/220V / 50Hz
American Samoa
120/240V / 60Hz
Andorra
220-230V / 50Hz
Angola
220V / 50Hz
Anguilla
240V / 50Hz
Antigua
230V / 60Hz
Argentina
220V / 50Hz
Aruba
115/127V / 60Hz
Australia
240V / 50Hz
Austria
220-230V / 50Hz
Azores
220-230V / 50Hz
Bahamas
120V / 60Hz
Bahrain
220V / 50Hz
Bangladesh
220V / 50Hz
Barbados
115V / 50Hz
Belarus
220V / 50Hz
Belgium
220-230V / 50Hz
Belize (Br.Hond.)
110V / 60Hz
Benin
220V / 50Hz
Bermuda
120V / 60Hz
Bolivia
110-115/220V / 50Hz
Bosnia-Herzegovina
220V / 50Hz
Botswana
220V / 50Hz
Brazil
110-220V / 60Hz
Bulgaria
220V / 50Hz
Burkina Faso
220V / 50Hz
Burma
230V / 50Hz
Burundi
220V / 50Hz
Cambodia
120-220V / 50Hz
Cameroon
220-230V / 50Hz
Canada
120V / 60Hz
Canary Islands (Spain) 220V / 50Hz
Cape Verde, Rep. of 220V / 50Hz
Cayman Islands
120V / 60Hz
Central African Rep. 220V / 50Hz
Chad
220V / 50Hz
Channel Islands
240V / 50Hz
Chile
220V / 50Hz
China, People's Rep. of 220V / 50Hz
Christmas Isl. (Aust.) 240V / 50Hz
Cocos Isl. (Austrail.)
240V / 50Hz
Colombia
110-220V / 60Hz
Congo, Rep. of
220V / 50Hz
Cook Island (N.Z.)
240V / 50Hz
Costa Rica
120V / 60Hz
Croatia
220V / 50Hz
Cuba
120V / 60Hz
Curacao Island
110-220V / 60Hz
Cyprus
240V / 50Hz
Czech Republic
220V / 50Hz
Denmark
220-230V / 50Hz
Djibouti, Rep. of
220V / 50Hz
Dominica
230V / 50Hz
Dominican Rep.
110V / 60Hz
Ecuador
120V / 60Hz
Egypt
220V / 50Hz
El Salvador
115V / 60Hz
England
240V /50Hz
Equatorial Guinea
220V / 50Hz
Estonia
220V / 50Hz
Ethiopia
220V / 50Hz
Fiji
240V / 50Hz
Finland
220-230V / 50Hz
France
220-230V / 50Hz
French Guyanda
220V / 50Hz
Gabon
220V / 50Hz
Gambia
220V / 50Hz
Germany
220-230V / 50Hz
Ghana
220V / 50Hz
Country
Voltage / Frequency
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland (Den.)
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jordon
Kenya
Korea
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Lettonia
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Madagascar
Madeira (Portugal)
Majorca
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali, (Rep. of)
Malta
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montseurrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia (W.S. Africa)
Nepal
Neth. Antilles
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Guinea
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
No. Ireland
240V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
230V /50Hz
220V / 50Hz
110-120V / 60Hz
120V / 60Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
110V / 50-60Hz
110-120V / 50-60Hz
110V / 60Hz
200V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220-250V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
110V / 50Hz
100V / 50-60Hz
220V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
220V / 50-60Hz
240V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
110-120V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
120V / 60Hz
127-230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
127V / 60Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
230V / 60Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220-250V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
120V / 60Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
120V / 60Hz
220V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
Country
Voltage / Frequency
No. Mariana Is.
Norfolk Is. (Aust.)
Norway
Okinawa
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Is. (U.K.)
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Scotland
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Pierre & Miquelon
St. Vincent
Sudan
Surinam
Svalbard (Norway)
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tahiti
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad & Tobango
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emir.
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands
Wales
Western Samoa
Yemen
Yugoslavia (former)
Zaire, Rep. of
Zambia
Zimbabwe
115V / 60Hz
240V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
110-120V / 60Hz
240V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
110-120V / 60Hz
240V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
110-120V / 50/60Hz
115V / 60Hz
240V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
120V / 60Hz
240V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
127-220V / 50/60Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
110-220V / 50Hz
220-250V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
230V / 60Hz
240V / 50Hz
115V / 60Hz
230V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
115V / 60Hz
220V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50 Hz
110V / 60Hz
230V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
115V / 60Hz
115-230V / 60Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220-230V / 50Hz
240V / 50Hz
120V / 60Hz
220V / 50Hz
120V / 60Hz
120-220V / 50Hz
120V / 60Hz
220V / 50Hz
230V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
220V / 50Hz
119
Country
120
Page
P/N
A
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Azores
42
19
32
19
19
26
45
19
19
32
19
19
42
8580.098
8500.098
8530.098
8500.098
8500.098
9650.098
9000.098
8500.098
8500.098
8530.098
8500.098
8500.098
8580.098
B
Bahamas
Bahrain
Balearic Island
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burma/Myanmar
Burundi
5
26
19
42
5
19
19
5
42
19
42
19
19
26
46
26
19
25
26
19
2500.072
9650.098
8500.098
8580.098
2500.072
8500.098
8500.098
2500.072
8580.098
9650.098
8580.098
8500.098
8500.098
9650.098
2550.072
9650.098
8500.098
8002.079
9650.098
8500.098
C
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Canary Islands (spain)
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Channel Islands
Chile
China
Christmas Island (Australia)
Cocos Islands (Australia)
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of
Cook Island (N.Z.)
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire/Ivory Coast
Croatia
Cuba
Curacao Island
Cyprus
Czech Republic
25
19
5
19
19
4
25
19
26
38
43
32
32
30
19
25
32
5
25
19
5
19
26
19
8002.079
8500.098
2500.072
8500.098
8500.098
2500.072
8002.079
8500.098
9650.098
8550.098
8590.098
8530.098
8530.098
2003.098
8500.098
8002.079
8530.098
2500.072
8002.079
8500.098
2500.072
8500.098
9650.098
8500.098
D
Denmark
Djibouti, Republic of
Dominica
Dominican Republic
36
19
26
5
8540.098
8500.098
9650.098
2500.072
E
East Timor
Ecuador
19
5
8500.098
2500.072
Country
Page
P/N
Egypt
El Salvador
England
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
25
5
26
25
19
19
19
8002.079
2500.072
9650.098
8002.079
8500.098
8500.098
8500.098
F
Faeroe Islands
Falkland Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Giuana
19
26
32
19
19
19
8500.098
9650.098
8530.098
8500.098
8500.098
8500.098
G
Gabon
Gambia
Gaza
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland (Den.)
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
19
26
42
19
26
26
19
36
26
19
5
5
19
19
26
8500.098
9650.098
8580.098
8500.098
9650.098
9650.098
8500.098
8540.098
9650.098
8500.098
2500.072
2500.072
8500.098
8500.098
9650.098
H
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
5
5
26
19
2500.072
2500.072
9650.098
8500.098
I
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
19
42
19
19
26
26
26
40
38
8500.098
8580.098
8500.098
8500.098
9650.098
9650.098
9650.098
8560.098
8550.098
J
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
5
29
26
2500.072
2000.098
9650.098
K
Kazakstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea
Krakozhia
Kuwait
19
26
32
35
19
26
8500.098
9650.098
8530.098
8704.098
8500.098
9650.098
L
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Lettonia
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
5
19
26
42
19
26
38
37
2500.072
8500.098
9650.098
8580.098
8500.098
9650.098
8550.098
8520.098
Country
Page
P/N
Lithuania
Luxembourg
19
19
8500.098
8500.098
M
Macao
Macedonia
Madagascar
Madeira (Portugal)
Majorca
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montseurrat
Morocco
Mozambique
42
19
19
19
19
26
26
42
19
26
19
25
26
5
5
19
19
25
26
19
19
8580.098
8500.098
8500.098
8500.098
8500.098
9650.098
9650.098
8580.098
8500.098
9650.098
8500.098
8002.079
9650.098
2500.072
2500.072
8500.098
8500.098
8002.079
9650.098
8500.098
8500.098
N
Namibia (W.S. Africa)
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Neth.Antilles
New Caledonia
New Guinea
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
No. Ireland
No. Mariana Island
Norfolk Island (Australia)
Norway
42
32
42
19
25
19
19
32
5
19
26
26
5
32
19
8580.098
8530.098
8580.098
8500.098
8002.079
8500.098
8500.098
8530.098
2500.072
8500.098
9650.098
9650.098
2500.072
8530.098
8500.098
O
Okinawa
Oman
19
26
8500.098
9650.098
P
Pakistan
Palmyra Atoll
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands (U.K.)
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
42
5
5
32
25
5
5
42
19
19
5
8580.098
2500.072
2500.072
8530.098
8002.079
2500.072
2500.072
8580.098
8500.098
8500.098
2500.072
Q
Qatar
26
9650.098
R
Reunion Island
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
19
19
19
25
8500.098
8500.098
8500.098
8002.079
S
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
26
26
9650.098
9650.098
Country
Page
P/N
Saint Pierre & Miquelon
Saint Vincent
Saudi Arabia
Scotland
Senegal
Serbia & Montenegro
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard (Norway)
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
19
26
5
26
19
19
26
26
26
19
19
19
42
19
42
26
19
19
42
19
37
19
8500.098
9650.098
2500.072
9650.098
8500.098
8500.098
9650.098
9650.098
9650.098
8500.098
8500.098
8500.098
8580.098
8500.098
8580.098
9650.098
8500.098
8500.098
8580.098
8500.098
8520.098
8500.098
T
Tahiti
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
19
5
19
26
5
19
42
26
25
19
19
8500.098
2500.072
8500.098
9650.098
2500.072
8500.098
8580.098
9650.098
8002.079
8500.098
8500.098
U
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
42
19
26
26
5
32
19
8580.098
8500.098
9650.098
9650.098
2500.072
8530.098
8500.098
V
Vanuatu
Vatican
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands
32
19
5
19
5
8530.098
8500.098
2500.072
8500.098
2500.072
W
Wales
Western Samoa
26
32
9650.098
8530.098
Y
Yemen
Yugoslavia (former)
26
19
9650.098
8500.098
Z
Zambia
Zaire, Republic of
Zimbabwe
26
19
26
9650.098
8500.098
9650.098
North America
&
Canada
121
Value Added & Packaging
122
123
1U - Unit of rack measurement equal to 1.75" on which panel
heights are based [EIA (Electronic Industries Association)-310-D.]
Abrasion Resistance - The ability to resist surface wear.
Alternating Current - (A-C) The charge flow of a current
periodically and regularly reverses in a cyclic manner.
American Wire Gauge (AWG) - This is the standardized system
for identifying wire diameter of copper conductors. It comes
from a North American wire and cable-sizing standard. This
gauge utilizes an inverse relationship to the size. So the higher
the number, the smaller the cable. An example of this would be
that a small gauge North American cable with three conductors
could be 3x18 AWG. This could be expressed as 18/3 AWG. A
cable sized 3x10 (10/3) is significantly larger, due to the smaller
number. It is also referred to as the Brown and Sharpe (B&S)
wire gauge.
Ampacity - This is the capability to handle electric current as
expressed in amperes. It is the highest current an insulated
conductor can handle before it exceeds the insulation or jacket
temperature limits. Also known as Current carrying capacity
Ampere - (A) Unit that expresses rate of flow of an electrical
current. One ampere is the current flowing through one OHM of
resistance at one volt potential.
Appliance coupler - The combination of a connector and inlet
that enables the connection and disconnection of a cord to
equipment.
Approval - After a complete product or component part is tested
by a testing agency, the test results may be represented in the
form of an approval. Agencies which grant approvals on
components include SEMKO, FIMKO, NEMKO, DEMKO, KEMA,
CEBEC, SEV, OVE, and, in some cases, VDE. See also
Certification and Recognition.
Boot - A protective layer covering any part of a conductor or
cable as well as its insulation or jacket.
Breakdown Voltage - This is the amount of voltage at which the
insulation deteriorates. This could be the insulation between two
conductors or a conductor and ground.
BSI (British Standards Institution) - A standards writing
organization and a testing agency. BSI typically approves
consumer goods and end use products.
Bunch Stranding - This is the twisting of wires together within
the same frequency in order to achieve a specific gauge.
CEBEC (Committee for Electrotechnical Belgium European
Community) - Independent Belgian service company providing
product and system certifications, CE Marking assistance,
training, and advice for manufacturers, businesses, and
authorities.
CE Marking - In its simplest form, the CE Marking is an electrical
device’s passport that allows it to enter Europe. It symbolizes that
the equipment complies with all requirements relating to safety,
public health, consumer protection or other requirements
defined in directives issued by the Council of the European
Union. It is neither an agency approval nor a quality mark. It is a
self-declared conformity to EU (European Union) directives. It
allows the responsible customs official to know at a glance that
the equipment is authorized to enter and to circulate freely
within the EU.
CENELEC [Comite European de Normalisation
Electrotechnique (European Committee for Electrotechnical
Standardization)] - Promotes European harmonization and
works with technical experts to publish standards for the
European market in support of this goal.
Certification - Another of the terms used to describe the results
of testing by one of the national agencies. Example: CSA
certifies products, once tested and found to be satisfactory and
consistent with CSA standards. Certification comes in the form of
a document and permission to use the CSA mark.
(Electric) - An electrical circuit is a complete path of electrical
current. It is considered to be an open circuit when the
continuity is broken and a closed circuit when continuity is
maintained.
Circuit Breakers for Equipment - Circuit protection device
that falls into the supplementary circuit protection category. It
is designed to shut off electrical current, before overcurrent
damage can occur in the equipment. Sometimes written as
CBE.
Conductivity - This word is used to describe the capability of
any material to carry an electrical charge. It is typically
expressed in terms of the percentage of copper conductivity.
Copper has one hundred percent conductivity.
Conductor - This is any material in which electrons can freely
move from atom to atom, which is electrical current flow. It is
usually metal and in the case of power supply cords, a wire or
combination of wires not insulated from one another.
Conductors could be a wire, that is solid, or stranded of a multiwire cable. Cords could consist of two or three conductors.
Continuity Check - This is a test used to determine if an
electrical current will flow continuously throughout the length
of a wire or cable.
Continental Europe - Continental Europe refers to a large
portion of Europe that uses the CEE 7/7 (or Schuko) plug/socket
pattern. The countries included are Germany, France (plug
only), Belgium (plug only), Austria, the Netherlands, Norway,
Sweden, Finland, Russia, and a few other countries throughout
Europe.
Cord - This is a small insulated flexible cable made to withstand
mechanical abuse. There is not a clear distinction in terms of
size between a cable and a cord. Generally a cord should be a
size AWG 10 and smaller.
Cordset - This is a detachable way for supplying electricity
from the main supply to an electrical device. It has a female
appliance coupler or connector at one end and a male plug at
the other. The standard connector for the interface between the
electrical device and the cordset is an IEC 60320-1 connector.
CSA (Canadian Standards Association) - This is the equivalent
of the Underwriters Laboratories, and is a non-profit
organization operating a listing, testing, and approval service
for equipment and materials.
DEMKO - Danish test lab. In 1996, Underwriters Laboratories,
Inc purchased DEMKO A/S. In 2000, DEMKO A/S changed its
name to UL International DEMKO A/S.
EMI/RFI (Electromagnetic Interference/Radio Frequency
Interference) - Phenomenons that are generated in nature and
in electrical equipment as a result of switch closures, and by
motors, inductors, and various other complex electrical circuits.
EMI/RFI is conducted from the point of origin either through the
cables or by radiation through air. In either case, it may present
performance problems for adjacent equipment. EMI and RFI
are sometimes considered as separate entities, but many
companies and organizations tend to combine these terms into
one. By definition, EMI and RFI have their own individual
frequency ranges, which heavily overlap.
Europlug - This is an international plug used by many
European countries. It is the common name for the CEE 7/16 2.5
amp, Class II plug.
Farad - A unit of electrical capacity
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Ferrite bead - An iron component that when attached around a
power cord will serve to help prevent spurious signals transmitted
by conductance and radiation. Ferrite beads have been found to
reduce EMI and RFI noise especially when affixed to both ends of
the power cord.
Inner Conductor Colors Function
North American (NA)
Hot
Black
Neutral
White
Earth (ground)
Green
Filler - Term used with cable. Filler consists of a non-conducting
material such as jute, plastic strands, or plastic fibers. Filler is used
to assure the cable maintains a circular appearance during the
extrusion process. It also provides tensile strength to the cable
assembly. Tensile strength is important in cable that may be placed
in situations where large amounts of stretching may occur. The
filler helps to prevent the cable from over stretching and strands
from being pulled to a breaking point.
Insulation - Insulation is any material having high resistance
to the flow of electric current. It protects the inner conductors
of an electrical cord.
Flanged Inlets, Outlets - A flanged nylon housing that permits
mounting in a panel on the front of the equipment for an electrical
inlet or outlet, that is held in place by screws and bolts.
Frequency - This is measured in Hertz and is the number of times
an alternating current repeats its cycle in one second. The standard
international frequency is 50Hz and the standard North American
frequency is 60Hz.
Fuse - Supplementary circuit protection device in which a
conductive element is designed to melt and open the circuit in the
event a fault occurs that exceeds the time-current characteristic for
that condition. The common sizes for fuses are 1/4 x 1 1/4-inch
fuses (North American) and 5 x 20mm fuses (international and
North American).
Gauge - This is an indication of the physical size of a wire or the
wire diameter specifications. The number of the gauge is in an
inverse relationship to the size of the wire. So the larger the wire
the smaller the number of the gauge will be.
Ground - This is a complete circuit accomplished through a
conductive connection between an electrical circuit and the earth
or another large conducting body.
<HAR> - A marking on cable to indicate that it is harmonized
cable. This means that it was made in Europe. Harmonized cable
is made in Europe to the HD 21 and HD 22 standards. Cable made
elsewhere can be made to these standards, but will not be allowed
to display the harmonized mark.
Harmonized Cable - Cable that meets the requirements of
Harmonized Documents HD-21 or HD-22 and will carry at least
one safety agency approval that is recognized by other European
safety agencies.
Hi-pot - A test designed to determine the highest potential that
can be applied to a conductor without breaking through the
insulation.
High Voltage - Generally this is considered any operating voltage
over 600 volts.
International (ICC)
Brown
Blue
Green w/ yellow stripe
IP (Ingress Protection) Rating - Indicates the degree of
protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment
and devices, according to IEC 60529. The types of protection
covered by this system of classification are: a) protection of
persons against contact with or approach to live parts and
against contact with moving parts inside the enclosure, and
protection against entrance by foreign bodies (dust, filings,
etc); and b) protection of the equipment inside the enclosure
against harmful intrusion of water.
ISO (International Standards Organization) - Quality
standards writing agency of standards for business,
government, and society.
Jacket - This material that covers over wire and cable provides
protection and additional insulation. It is usually extruded
plastic or elastomer.
· S - Designated for heavy duty, rubber insulated portable
cord. Stranded copper conductors with separator and
individual rubber insulation. Two or more color-coded
conductors cables with filler, wrapped with separator and
rubber jackets overall, 600v.
· SEOW-A - Extra hard service cord. Thermoplastic
600 volt, weather resistant for outdoor use.
· SJ - Junior hard service rubber insulated pendant or
portable cord. Same construction as SJT except insulation
and jacket is thermoset (rubber) 300V.
· SJO - Same as SJ but neoprene, oil resistant compound
out jacket, 300V, 60°C.
· SJT - Designated for junior hard service thermoplastic
or rubber insulated conductors with overall thermoplastic
outer jacket, 300V, 60°C.
· SJTO - Same as SJT but oil resistant thermoplastic outer
jacket.
· SJTW - A hard service cord. Thermoplastic constructed
jacket.300V, weather resistant for outdoor use.
· SPT-1 - Thermoplastic constructed, parallel jacketed, 300V,
2 or 3 conductor, 18 gauge.
Hospital Grade - See Medical Products
· SPT-2 - Same as SPT-1, but heavier construction,
18 - 16 gauge.
HPN - Parallel Heater Cord, typically Neoprene-insulated two
conductor.
· SPT-3 - Same as SPT-2, but heavier construction,
18 - 10 gauge.
IEC 60320 (Formerly IEC 320) - International Electrotechnical
Commission standard that applies to a series of connectors, plugs,
outlets and inlets designed for use on electrical or electronic
equipment such as portable equipment such as computers,
printers, and medical equipment.
· SO - Designated for a 600 Volt senior service, oil
resistant neoprene jacket cord. Same construction as type
S except for neoprene jacket.
IMQ (Instituto Italiano Del Marchio Di Qualita) - Test and
approval agency for Italy.
· ST - Hard Service Cord, jacketed same as type S except
all plastic construction, 600V 60 degrees to 105 degrees.
Inlet - The input power connection on equipment. Inlets are the
male connection devices that provide access for electricity to
enter the equipment. An example would be the IEC 60320 C14
inlet.
· STO - Same as ST with oil resistant outer jacket (600V).
· SO-W - Heavy Duty SO-dual rated type W.
· STW - Same as ST with extra hard service material.
Weather
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· SV - Designated for vacuum clear cord, 2 or 3 conductor,
rubber insulated. Overall rubber jacket. For light duty in
damp location. 300V, 60°C.
· SVT - Same as SV except all plastic construction. With or
without 3rd conductor grounding purposes only. 300V, 6090°C.
· VW-1 - This is a rating established by UL for wire and cables
that pass a specifically designed vertical flame test for
flammability. It is formerly designated as FR-1.
JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards Committee) - Develops
standards and provides certification testing in Japan.
Kilowatt - (kW) A unit of power equal to one thousand watts.
Line Cord - This is a cord that ends with a plug at one end and is
utilized for connecting equipment to a power outlet.
Locking plugs - Configuration of blades on a plug that allow
the plug to be locked into a socket, making the connection
immovable to force. The NEMA pattern and numbering system
places an L in front of the numbers, to indicate a locking
configuration. For example, a NEMA L5-15P is a locking plug
rated 15amps at 125VAC.
Medical Products - These are products specifically
manufactured for use in hospitals, doctor and dentist offices, or in
home treatment of patients used in the patients care or recovery.
Medical products, including cord sets, fall under special
standards and have special requirements in some applications.
Plug - A plug is the cable mount portion of an electrical
connection or male contact device and has pins or blades
protruding from the face. It is also called an attachment plug.
PVC - Polyvinyl chloride compound used in the thermoplastic
SVT, SJT ...
Polarization - There are two types of polarization to consider
when dealing with international plugs and sockets: 1) Physical
Polarization—Characteristics of a plug that only allow the plug
to be plugged in a certain way. 2) Electrical Polarization—
Referring to the Line and Neutral being specified as always
being connected to a specific pin location.
Polarization of European Plugs and Sockets - Some European
plug and socket patterns pose a problem in regards to
polarization. Plug and socket patterns such as the Italian and
the Schuko are physically unpolarized, meaning they can be
plugged into a socket in more than one manner. The “Schuko”
or Continental European standard is especially difficult, as it is
not electrically polarized either, meaning the standards
governing this pattern do not indicate a specific location for the
hook-up of line and neutral. The French/Belgian pattern allows
for physical polarization of the plug, but once again the
standard does not indicate a specific electrical polarization. In
other words, the socket may be wired either way. When
designing for export, it is very important to take into account
how unpolarized plug and socket patterns will affect your
equipment.
Multiconductor - This is an indication that there is more than
one conductor within one cord or cable complex.
Power Supply Cord - An attachment plug molded to a length of
flexible cord. May also include a molded strain relief or
terminations on the opposite end of the plug.
N.A. - North American color code on the inner conductors
(black, white, green). See Inner Conductor Colors.
Quail Electronics - The best source for power cords.
NEMA - National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is
a standard setting agency for the United States and supplies a
forum for the standardization of electrical equipment, shapes
public policy, gathers, compiles and analyzes statistics and data
in the marketplace, and monitors legislation that may affect the
industry.
Quick Disconnects - Blade type connectors, which mate with
a simple, formed sheet metal part. Most electrical components
are manufactured with the male half of the quick disconnect.
The female half is normally mounted on the connecting lead.
Neoprene - This is a synthetic rubber that has good resistance to
chemical, oil and flame and is also called Polychloroprene.
Rack-mount Power Distribution Units - A product line that is
a division of our Accessory Power Strips. Our Power
Distribution Units are 19" rack-mounting products that
distribute power to equipment in a rack environment.
Nylon - This is an abrasion resistant thermoplastic with effective
chemical resistance utilized for cable and wire jacketing, wiring
devices, connectors and plugs.
Rated Voltage - The maximum voltage at which an electric
component can operate for extended periods without undo
degradation or safety hazard.
OD - Abbreviation for outside diameter.
Receptacle - A contact device installed at the outlet for the
connection of a single attachment plug.
OHM - Unit of electrical resistance. Resistance of a circuit in
which a potential difference of one volt produces a current of
one ampere.
OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
This agency was organized to reduce workplace safety hazards.
Its equivalent in Germany is TUV.
Outlet - An outlet is a female connection that supplies access to
electricity from a source of power.
Panel-mount - Component is mounted to a panel or the
equipment, as opposed to cable. Panel-mounting can be screw/
flange-mount or snap-in mounting styles.
PC-Board Mounting - PC board tabs (small, flat pins) extending
from the back of the component’s contact pins. The component is
placed on the PC board, the contact pins are inserted into the
footprint, and solder is applied to make the electrical
connection.
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Pin and Sleeve - This refers to a receptacle, connector or plug
that has round pins or sleeve type contacts.
Recognition - When UL tests an electrical component, it
normally issues component recognition. This attests to the fact
that the agency found the component satisfactory for use in the
applications for which it was designed and manufactured. UL
also lists complete products (such as complete cordsets) and
certain other components.
Retaining Clamp - A mechanical devise used to secure a
power cord to a piece of equipment. Typical applications
would include medical equipment where an accidental
disconnect could compromise a patients health.
RFI - See EMI/RFI.
Ribbed - Outer jacket is striated with ribs.
ROJ - Remove Outer Jacket.
SA (Standards Australia) - Australian body responsible for writing
and publishing Australian standards. Works closely with SNZ
(Standards New Zealand) on many standards.
TUV (Technischer Uberwachungs-Verein) - German based
International Testing and Certification organization. Its
equivalent in the United States is OSHA.
Schuko - Trade name commonly applied to the Continental
European plugs and sockets. This word is derived from the word
“shutzkontact,” which means protection contact or protected plug.
Click for more information on Continental Europe.
UL® (Underwriters Laboratories) - This non-profit
organization administrates a rigorous schedule of tests
developed for electrical and electronic materials. It is U.S.
based and sets standards and tests electrical equipment for
safety, and is the equivalent of CSA.
Shielded-type cable - A cable in which the conductors are
enclosed in a conducting envelope constructed so that
substantially every point of the surface of the insulation is at
ground potential or at some predetermined potential with respect
to ground under normal operating conditions.
“Splash resistant” socket – Socket covered with a spring-loaded
flip-lid to protect the electrical outlet. These “splash resistant”
sockets are suited for environments with airborne dirt and
splashing liquid. They can be mounted on machinery used in areas
where dust or by-products of manufacturing may come in contact
with a machine-mounted socket without fear of harming or
obstructing the socket.
Strain Reliefs - The main function of a strain relief is to protect the
electrical connection and circuitry inside equipment. It also
relieves strain or pressure on the outer jackets of the cable. Strain
reliefs can be a part of a molded plug or connector, or a separate
component. The body clamps onto the power cord, and then
connects firmly to the equipment panel. Strain relief components
are used primarily in power cord applications where crimping,
molding, or hand assembly can mount strain reliefs. They come in
a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and styles.
“Universal” Jumper Power Cords - These interconnection
devices are used in applications where the power source
connection is an IEC outlet device. The male IEC plug can
make the connection for power. A jumper power cord
application would include multiple pieces of equipment
working together to accomplish one task. The jumper power
cord extends from the power source to the accessory
equipment. A jumper cordset works like a jumper power cord.
The difference is a connection device on both ends of the
cable instead of just the plug end. Universal cable is used in
the jumper power cords and cordsets assemblies.
VDE (Verband Deutscher Electrotechniker) - The German
national testing agency. VDE is the most common German
approval found on components. VDE also does some standards
writing for Germany.
Volt - Unit of measurement for electrical power. The symbol
for
volts is V.
Strip - To remove insulation from a cable.
Voltage - Measurement of power flowing through a
conductor. Designated as Electromotive Force (emf). The
symbol for voltage is VAC.
Socket - A socket establishes an electrical connection with plugs
through tension connections. These could be metal contacts bent to
receive the blade or pin or spring loaded.
Voltage Rating - This is the maximum voltage that can be
continuously applied to a wire in conformance to standards or
specifications.
Temperature Rating - The maximum temperature at which the
insulating material may be used in continuous operation without
loss of its basic properties.
Watts - Unit of measure for actual power used by a piece of
equipment. VxA=W
Terminal - Any device attached to the conductor by crimping,
soldering or welding.
Wire - This is any piece of flexible slender metal that ranges in
approximate size from a large piece that is difficult to bend to
a fine thread. It could also be several wires that are twisted
together or wires that are insulated.
Terminal block - This component is used to join wires together to
make electrical connections. The blocks are designed to fit where
space is limited. The different parts of the terminal blocks are the
insert, screw, and wire protector. The insert is where the wire is
placed. It is located underneath each “chimney.” The screws are
located in each chimney. When the screws are tightened down on
the wires, the wire protectors enhance the electrical connections.
Termination - Components that are molded, wired, or crimped
onto the ends of power cords or cable. Some terminations include:
straight blade and locking plugs and connectors, international and
high power plugs and connectors, IEC 60320 connectors, ring and
spade terminals, straight- and flag-style quick disconnects, and
ultrasonic welding. Quail Electronics, Inc. carries a large selection
of terminations to add value to a customer’s request.
Tinned - Silver-white, ductile metal used to coat copper
conductors, especially when solder termination is to be used.
Three-phase - This is an electrical circuit that holds three lines and
a ground or three lines, a neutral and a ground. The three lines are
120¼ out of phase with each other.
Tolerance - The acceptable deviation from specification.
Transformer - Device used to isolate circuits and step up or step
down voltage to a usable level for the equipment. Transformers
transfer energy between the primary and secondary using
magnetic field coupling.
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