Assembled Vs. Molded Power Cords: Types, Differences, And Uses

The word power cord might be creating significant confusion in your mind. Furthermore, you might be wondering which one is right for your needs.

Usually, a person looks for a power cord when they buy a new electronic device, build a new home, shift to a new home, renovate the old place, or change the device's location.

Your reason for dwelling deep into power cords can be any of these or something else. Whatever your reason, knowing the power cords well is vital. Once you understand these power cords in detail, it is easier to decide which one to use.

If you search for the power cord on the web or in the market, you will be surprised to see the types of power cord available. But don't worry.

This blog will clarify all your doubts by providing in-depth details of the power cords, including their types and uses. We will especially focus on the difference between assembled power cords and molded power cords.

What is a Power Cord?

There is a high chance you have unknowingly used or seen the power cord many times in your home. But you might not know what it is. So, let's define it for you.

As you can see in the image above, a power cord is a long cable with two faces used for connecting appliances and electrical utility or power supply. This cable is made of thermoplastic insulating material like PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), PE (Polyethylene), ECTFE, or PVDF, with both ends molded or assembled with connectors.

On one end of the power cord, you will find a male connector, also known as a plug, that is inserted into an electrical outlet. On the other end, you will find a female connector that is attached to the appliance or another male connector.

You must have noticed power cords are generally used for connecting appliances such as TVs, computers, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. It is so because they are limited to current and voltage ratings of 16 A to 20 A and 125 V to 250 V.

Different Types of Power Cords

So, after knowing what a power cord is, you must be intuitive to know its types.

Power cords are usually used for connecting various appliances, as discussed earlier. According to the use, power cords are made with different components and have varied features.

Some of the most common power cords used are;

• Standard Power Cords
• Molded Power Cords
• Assembled Power Cords
• Locking Power Cords
• Coiled Power Cords
• Heavy Duty Power cords

Standard Power Cords

The most commonly used power cord in our home is the standard power cord, which is made of insulated material and features a plug that is either Type A or Type B.

Type A is a plug that has two prongs and is commonly used for connecting appliances with standard power outlets. On the other hand, Type B is a plug that has three prongs. This extra prong is there to provide safety against any electrical shock.

Molded Power Cords

These power cords are one of the most durable power cords. It is so because the plug or connector on its end is created by an injection molding process. The molded plug and connector help in a robust connection.

Assembled Power Cords

By reading the name, you must have got an idea of how these power cords are made. The different parts of the connector and plugs are first assembled and then attached to the cord.

We will discuss more about them below.

Locking Power Cords

There are certain instances where sudden disconnection of the power cord can cause devastating accidents. It is mostly the case in industrial use. To avoid such severe accidents, the power cords are created with a locking mechanism.

The lock on the power cord ensures no disconnection from the appliance or the power outlet.

Coiled Power Cords

Such power cords are used for connecting portable devices, as coiled power cords are self-retracing. You can stretch them for more length and freedom of movement. When not in use, they automatically coil back to their original length.

Heavy Duty Power cords

Compared to standard power cords, heavy-duty power cords are more durable and capable. They are defined by the number of amps required by heavy-duty appliances. The amp is usually between 10 to 15 amps.

Heavy-duty power cords or heavy-duty extension cord are usually used for industrial purposes due to heavy-duty appliances used.

After going through the different types of power cords, you must have an idea to shortlist the power cords you can use. But to further clarify things, let's discuss the two most used power cords – Molded Power Cord and Assembled Power Cords.

What is a Molded Power Cord?

As discussed earlier, these power cords are known as molded power cords as they are created by an injection molding process.

In this process, the material is first heated to convert into a molten state. This heated molten material is injected into a mold cavity, which attaches the connector and wires together to make it one piece.

Molded power cords are robust and are used to connect a variety of appliances such as computers, television, printers, etc. Furthermore, they are available in a variety of lengths, sizes, and power outputs.

If you are looking for a more durable and reliable power cord, molded power cords are the best. It is so because they are less prone to damage and withstand many wears and tears.

Different Types of Molded Power Cords

If you check online for molded power cords, you will be presented with numerous molded power cords. This will create confusion and make it challenging for you to shortlist one power cord.

Hence, to save you from that confusion, we have listed the different types of molded power cords with complete details below.

1. NEMA Power Cords

These are the most common power cords used in the United States and have molded rubber bodies with prongs of steel or brass.

NEMA power cords are made according to the standards set by the US National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). There are many NEMA power cord types, but the most used are NEMA 1-15P and NEMA 5-15P.

NEMA power cords are further divided into locking and non-locking power cords.

The locking NEMA power cords has curved prongs that can be twisted after insertion. In contrast, non-locking connectors have straight blades and are used for everyday applications.

2. Shielded Power Cords

Shielded power cords have an additional layer of material that prevents the power cords from malfunctioning due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).

These power cords are more expensive and harder to maneuver than unshielded ones.

Shielded power cords are mostly used in situations where electrical noise can interfere with other sensitive signals.

3. IEC Power Cords

IEC power cords are the main power cords that supply electricity to electrical appliances rated up to 250 volts maximum. It utilizes specific connectors to interconnect devices such as computers, printers, and various power distribution units.

These power cords are created per the standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission.

4. Miniature Power Cords

Whenever there is a shortage of space, miniature power cords are used. Miniature power cords have a much smaller or more compact plug-in compared to standard power cords.

Uses Of Molded Power Cords

Like any other power cord, molded power cords are used across industries and for various purposes at home. Mentioning all these use cases is impossible; hence we have mentioned some of the most common use cases of molded power cords below.

1. Appliances

If you look around your home, you can easily find molded power cords used in various appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, mixer grinders, hair dryers, and many more. It is so because these power cords have varied lengths and configurations to suit the needs of different appliances.

2. Medical Equipment

As molded power cords are more durable and reliable, they are widely used in medical equipment. This medical equipment includes various diagnostic machines, health monitoring devices, and hospital beds.

3. Industrial Equipment

Besides the use in medical equipment, the durability factors make the molded power cords highly eligible for use in industrial equipment. It is used in equipment such as conveyors, manufacturing machines, mixers, generators, compressors, etc.

4. Automotive

Both the durability and high shielding property of molded power cords make them fit for use in automotive applications. You can easily find them in-car systems, at electric vehicle charging stations, with GPS trackers, etc.

5. Consumer Electronics

Molded power cords are also widely used in consumer electronics as they provide secure and reliable connections. The most common consumer electronics that come with molded power cords are televisions, computers, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, monitors, laptops, and many more.

What is an Assembled Power Cord?

Contrary to the molded power cord, assembled power cords are created by assembling all the parts, including the plug, connector, and cord. This is either done with the help of special equipment or by hand.

Assembled power cords are useful when there is a requirement for customized power cords. Such requirements are common in the manufacturing and construction industry as there is constant change in the placement of devices. By customizing, you can create a power cord of any length attached to different types of plugs and connectors.

But the disadvantage of the assembled power cord is that it is prone to damage over time. So, it is essential to ensure the assembled power cord is made using a high-quality cord, plug, and connector. This will ensure safety and increase its reliability.

Different Types of Assembled Power Cords

Like molded power cords, assembled power cords are also of different types, including;

1. Hospital Grade Power Cords

These are highly customized power cords specifically made for healthcare facilities. While designing hospital-grade power cords, especial attention is given to safety features. This is done using a highly specialized plug and connector that can prevent any accidental disconnection.

2. Custom Power Cords

Some assembled power cords are made to meet the specific requirements of the customer. Such power cords are known as custom power cords.

Customers can put requirements for specific lengths, colors, types of plugs or connectors, or materials used for making cords.

Uses of Assembled Power Cords

Again, like molded power cords, assembled power cords are also used for various industrial and home purposes. Some of them are listed below.

1. Custom Application

There are many instances where customers have a specific need for a power cord. In such cases, power cords are assembled with other components. It varies according to the customer's requirement, including a specific cord length, color, and types of plugs and connectors.

2. Industrial Equipment

When it comes to using a power cord in the industrial sector, a lot of customization is required. This necessitates the use of assembled power cords in industries.

Assembled power cord gives flexibility to the operators to use the type of cord, plug, or connector they want to use.

3. Medical Equipment

Assembled power cords are also highly used in hospitals and various healthcare facilities. It is so because they can be easily customized according to the safety needs of the equipment used in the hospitals.

4. Data Centers

Another significant use of assembled power cords is in data centers. In data centers, it is used to connect various servers, network switches, and numerous other vital machinery items. These power cords are customized and used for maximum efficiency and output according to the requirement.

Final Verdict

Picking up a suitable power cord for your use can be challenging. But if you consider all the points discussed in this blog about power cords, you can easily shortlist the best power cord per your need. But remember, along with these factors, you must also highly consider the quality and pick the power cord from reputable brands. Quality power cords will always ensure you are safe by avoiding any accidents.