NEMA Vs. IEC Power Cords - Difference In The Use

In 1882, Thomas Edison invented the electricity distribution system. He wrapped a copper rod with jute, a silky, lustrous fabric derived from plants as an insulator. Then, the jute-wrapped copper rod is connected to a bituminous compound-filled conduit. The gadget became useful in his efforts to provide electricity to New York City.

PVC-coated wires are the most prevalent today because they can tolerate high temperatures and rough use. In addition, it is a cost-effective and long-lasting method of making power cables.

Today, power cables come in a wide range of varieties and specifications, depending on their intended function and the country in which they are utilized. There are approximately a dozen different varieties in use in the United States alone. Power cables can have two names since each type of power cable connection has a unique name. In the United States, NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) are the two primary specifications for power cables.

This article looks at these NEMA and IEC power cord types.

Primary Difference: NEMA vs. IEC

The fundamental difference between IEC and NEMA is that NEMA's design helps save up to 25% on service, whereas IEC's primary concern is saving space and money. AC-1, for example, can handle entirely resistive or mildly inductive loads such as a heater. Regular starting and stopping of squirrel cage size motors is another application category AC-3. AC-4 is identical to AC-3 in appearance.

NEMA Power Cord

NEMA, or the National Electrical Manufacturers Organization, is the biggest trade association in the United States representing electrical equipment manufacturers. It was established in 1926 and mandated that all electrical component manufacturers use a standard frame size. This standardizes components from various manufacturers and provides standards for developing components with additional safety features beyond their design ratings.

Here are some pros of NEMA power cords:

• It can withstand short circuits.
• Appropriate for a variety of applications.

For connecting to a wall outlet, many cables will include a NEMA 1-15, 5-15, or 5-20 connection. The 1-15 connection has two metal prongs and is an earlier, ungrounded kind. These prongs can be the same size on ancient cables, but usually, one is somewhat bigger than the other. The grounded 5-15 upgrade to 1-15 is a three-pronged improvement. 5-20 resembles 5-15, except one of the metal prongs is horizontal rather than vertical. These are typically used for medical equipment and are rated for higher current than their 5-15 counterparts.

Classifications of NEMA

NEMA connectors are divided into two categories: straight-blade and locking. Straight blades are common in consumer electronics, and conductive metal blades typically include "prongs" (3-prong power cord, for example).

NEMA connections are also subdivided into numerous subtypes based on different categories. For example, there are 25 different varieties of straight-blade or non-locking NEMA connectors, such as NEMA 1, NEMA 2, NEMA 3, etc. There are 24 different types of locking NEMA connectors, such as ML, NEMA L1, NEMA L2, etc.

IEC Power Cords

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) represents a multinational NGO and non-profit organization. It creates and publishes worldwide standards in all areas of electronic, electrical, and associated technologies. The year 1906 was when this body was established, and it has since produced world-renowned units of measurement such as Gauss and Hertz.

It now collaborates with the ITU meaning International Telecommunication Union, and the ISO, which stands for International Organization for Standardization, to develop worldwide standards for more than 40 electrical component sub-categories.

The following are some of the pros of using an IEC electric cord:

• Compact
• Cost-effective
• Overloads are handled rapidly.
• Finger-friendly from the start

Classifications of IEC

C5/C6

Three round holes are linked in the C5/C6. Because it resembles the iconic Mickey Mouse emblem, these connections are referred to as "Mickey Mouse" connectors. These are the most prevalent type of power supply found in laptops.

C7/C8

C7/C8 is shaped like a figure eight, found in older TVs, laptop power cables, and smaller devices like DVD players. These are usually used in conjunction with 1-15 NEMA connectors. C7/C8 is available in two versions: non-polarized and polarized. Both sides of the connection will be circular on the non-polarized variant. One side of the polarized variant will be flat rather than circular. Check the version of the power cord you require to verify that it will suit your device.

C13/C14

The current standard for TVs and desktop computers is C13/C14, often known as a Universal Power Cord. Some tiny devices, such as older laptop power supplies, may employ a C13/C14. However, most of these devices use reduced choices such as C5/C6. Other types include the C15/C16 and C19/C20.

Conclusion

While deciding between IEC and NEMA, consider your requirements, specialty, and budget. NEMA is a good option if you want simple items to choose from and endure a long time. However, assuming your specific needs, IEC items are the way to go. But, most crucially, for people in the US or Canada, you'll have an easier time finding NEMA items. In some instances, each category can have its own set of advantages. For example, IEC costs less and is also smaller, but its working conditions are specified. NEMA devices are the best option when discussing gadgets and appliances requiring heavy loads.