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Need to replace power cords...does it matter?

J

jnick

2[H]4U
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Messages
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I need to replace three of my power cords as their lengths are too short. I need to replace my computers ATX power cable, and my two Dell 2005FPW's power cords.

Right now, they're jacked into extension cords (actually one of them is extended twice) and I'm not feeling to comfortable about it. Mainly for both fire reasons and for the quality of power the PSU/Monitor's is getting being jacked into extension cords.

Therefore, I'm going to get 3 new cords at the appropriate lengths (2x 10ft, 1x 8ft). Does it matter which power cords I buy, quality wise? I know buying a good, quality PSU is very important, but I don't know how important the quality or guage of the AC cord is...?

I know all three devices use standard ATX spec power cables. I just don't know where to buy them or which to buy. I was referred to http://www.mouser.com for the cords, however, I got confused to hell when looking at their selection.

Would this be the right cord? If so, "quality" wise, is it ok? (Click on Data sheet for more info + image)

Thanks!

[EDIT] I just noticed that the cord has no shielding...thats a no-no, isn't it?
 
Being I have a 750W PSU...I would need 14AWG or better, right?

Also, in regards to shielding...what if the power cable is running with a bundle of cables, such as DVI cables and speaker wire (regular speaker wire, not 3.5mm type)? Will non-shielded be an issue?

Thanks!
 
Non shielded mains wire is no problem unless you are into fully isolating an expensive hifi.
I run it alongside my speaker cables and cannot tell. My Hifi is pretty good.

If I remember correctly, the standard US socket is rated for up to 15A so 14AWG is the most you will need (I'm UK based btw, our sockets max at 13A)

An 80% efficient 750W PSU will draw approx 937W max from the mains.
At 110V, thats 8.5A.

18AWG (10A / 1.2KW US) cable will have 17% headroom
14AWG (15A+ / 1.8KW US) cable will have 76% headroom.

As a PSU's efficiency rating is a curve, its likely it could drop to as low as 70% pushing it to 1.07KW, almost 10A.
(the efficiency is measured usually at room temp and peaks at the rated efficiency on the box which is not the efficiency rating at max power)
The hotter a PSU gets, the lower its efficiency becomes, so in extreme circumstances, you could exceed the capability of 18AWG cable.

Its wise to get the 14AWG cable or a better gauge than 18AWG.
 
Its wise to get the 14AWG cable or a better gauge than 18AWG.
Click to expand...

I agree 16AWG minimum, 14AWG is what is probally in the walls feeding the socket if the house was built in the 70's or later. Having a cord the same size would be ideal and it is only a few dollars more. Consider going to home depot and getting a heavy duty 16 or 14 Awg short extension cord with a 3 headed receptacle on the "business " end and use your exising short cords. Probally cheaper and better and easier to manage the cables..
 
So I did a lot of searching and found this at Mouser. That should be sufficient enough, wouldn't it? It's 16AWG, therefore, it should give me enough headroom for the PSU just in case the efficiency was to drop.

If you don't mind, can you guys just verify that this cable, according to the specs, will work for the PC and monitor?

Also, would I need such a high gauge cord for the monitor? Couldn't I use a standard 18AWG for the monitor and purchase the 16AWG for the PC?

[EDIT] They also have 14AWG, so I could get that one for the PC instead of the 16AWG...
 
Without knowing how much power your monitor draws, I cant say.
Why not just get a 14AWG and be done with it.
 
Nenu said:
Non shielded mains wire is no problem unless you are into fully isolating an expensive hifi.
I run it alongside my speaker cables and cannot tell. My Hifi is pretty good.

If I remember correctly, the standard US socket is rated for up to 15A so 14AWG is the most you will need (I'm UK based btw, our sockets max at 13A)

An 80% efficient 750W PSU will draw approx 937W max from the mains.
At 110V, thats 8.5A.
Click to expand...

A =! W/V unless you're talking light bulbs or a PSU with PFC. For a non-PFC PSU, A ~= (w/v) * 1.67
 
So I did a lot of searching and found this at Mouser. That should be sufficient enough, wouldn't it? It's 16AWG, therefore, it should give me enough headroom for the PSU just in case the efficiency was to drop.
Click to expand...

Rated 13A more than enough and should last a lifetime. From everything I could see in the specs and description it is a very well made cable and will fit.
 
Nenu said:
PSU's these days have a PFC of near 1.0
Click to expand...

In Europe, yes because PFC is required by law. In the US, not unless marked as PFC and it's marketing gimmick for the most part.

by the way, PFC is not a quantity. PF = Power Factor, PFC = Power factor corrected.
 
pwnt said:
In Europe, yes because PFC is required by law. In the US, not unless marked as PFC and it's marketing gimmick for the most part.
Click to expand...

Most new PSUs are have PFC even in the US now. The reason being that it is a bigger pain in the butt to make european and american products separate than it is to just make the same product and ship it in different boxes.

The Corsair PSUs are all ROHS compliant and have Active PFC, even though neither is a US requirement yet, simply because it's easier for us. The PSU you buy from us, whether it's in Taipei, Sydney, Dallas, or Berlin is exactly the same. The only difference is the box, manual, and power cable it comes with.
 
BillParrish said:
Rated 13A more than enough and should last a lifetime. From everything I could see in the specs and description it is a very well made cable and will fit.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks Bill!

I actually wound up calling Mouser and they did confirm that it is the right cable (connection wise).

I guess I'll order them after work tonight!

Thanks again!
 
Bah, real power , apparent power, VA, VAr, Coulombs, cats sleeping with dogs, where will it end ? Everyone knows an A = 6.2 x 10^18 electrons per second. I got my magnifying glass out and counted to make sure.
 
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