Power Cables
Whether you’re into gaming in a big way or about to purchase a new 8K TV, you’ll be looking for the best HDMI 2.1 cable to bring out every detail. HDMI 2.1 provides a massive leap forward in bandwidth capability, bringing you higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, dynamic HDR and auto low latency mode. That means listening to music that’s clearer, streaming shows that are crisper – and gaming with graphics that are all that more impressive.
HDMI 2.1, supported by Ultra High Speed HDMI cables, provides some of the most significant improvements yet in the HDMI standard. If you’ve purchased a brand-new 8K TV or gaming system, HDMI 2.1 will be the vital ingredient. Get ready for the new generation now with the right quality cables.
What is a power cable?
Power cables are like the lifeblood of our electrical devices, keeping them running smoothly and consistently. Now we all appreciate that if you cut the cable, you cut the power, but there’s actually a lot more to consider when it comes to choosing a power cable for an appliance. It might be the length, size, and shape of the plug, the construction and colour of the exterior casing, and of course, the types of end-point connections.
Consider also the variety of styles, whether it’s a computer power cable, monitor power cable, PC power cable, or TV power cable. Cables run from a powerboard or power socket to the device on the other end and unless a device also has an internal battery, the power cable is responsible for supplying all of the power to run it. In devices with internal batteries, the power cable will recharge the battery, allowing it to run on either mains power or battery alone.
Power cables will need to have one end that is the inlet, or plug end, and the other side is the connector or socket end. If the wall or mains power connection is in a tight spot, it might call for an angled plug, such as a right-angle power cable that is shaped to fit where standard plugs might not.
What are the different types of power cables?
The growth in appliances in homes and offices (not to mention sheds, garages, and studios) has gone hand in hand with the creation of many varieties of the power cables needed to power all of these electrical devices.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the international standards body that sets the globally accepted technical requirement for these types of power cables. When it comes to naming, power cables with different connections, for example, IEC C13 or C14, will have these designations in their name to identify the particular type of end-point connector. The IEC designation will also be included in other types of cables to indicate that they comply with the standard, and at 4Cabling, all of the cables available comply with IEC standards.
Computer power cable
This is typically the IEC C13 to Mains, that has one end that is the male 3 pin plug formally known as the standard “AS/NZS 3112”, but often just referred to as 3 pin mains, and the socket end which is the other female end, referred to as ‘IEC C13’. These are very common cables that are used to power a wide variety of devices including computers, monitors, and printers. At 4Cabling we carry many PC/Computer cables that also come in a variety of lengths to suit many different set-ups and situations.
TV power cable
There are times when you might need to replace the TV power cable, say if it’s been lost or damaged or things change and the existing cable becomes too short to reach between the wall socket and the TV itself. This means opting for a cable with a mains power plug on one end and a TV socket on the other end in the length required. This is usually either the same as a common PC cable “IEC C13” or the “IEC C7” cable, although these cables can also be used to power numerous household appliances. In Australia, it must comply with the AS/NZS3112 standard. All 4Cabling cables are compliant with Australian standards and Electrical Safety Authority Approved.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all of the different power cables. It covers some of the more common home and office cables as well as some of the networking power cables. In addition to checking cables are compliant with Australian standards and suit locally sold devices, it’s important that the power cable has a compatible Amps rating, such as 10A, which is suitable for many common appliances.
Power cables for all devices
Whatever devices you’re looking to power, depending on the age of the appliance and assuming it was sold in Australia, there should be power cables for all devices available to replace a lost, damaged, or too-short cable. 4Cabling stocks power cables for all sorts of devices and when choosing a cable, it’s always important to make sure it matches an existing cable or that you’ve checked the connector and plug specifications.
Another common cable 4Cabling stock includes the IEC C5 to Australian mains power plug appliance power cord that is compliant with the AS/NZS3112 standard. This is suitable to power a range of devices including some laptops, printers, and AV equipment.
Lockable cables such as the Lockable IEC C13 - IEC C14 have the added feature of a locking mechanism, which is designed to prevent the accidental disconnection of computers, medical equipment, and servers that could damage data or interrupt the flow of information.
In high-intensity set-ups, such as with network switches and servers, heat-resistant cables such as the IEC C14 to IEC C15 High Temperature - Male to Female Power Cable may be needed and this cable is rated for 248 degrees, compared to 158-degree rating for the standard C13 connectors. The Australian 3 Pin Wall Plug To C15 High-Temperature Power Cable is another variation for high-intensity situations and this one is commonly used to connect from the wall socket to a C16 socket on devices in a high-temperature working environment.
The IEC C19 Power Cable is another common cable fit for a variety of devices that most commonly use 15A but cannot exceed 16A. This type of cable is typically found on many Enterprise servers and some Power Distribution Units (PDU’s).
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all of the different power cables. It covers some of the more common home and office cables as well as some of the networking power cables. In addition to checking cables are compliant with Australian standards and suit locally sold devices, it’s important that the power cable has a compatible Amps rating, such as 10A, that is applicable for many common appliances.