Where to get flexible power cables

Alan Roberts

Alan Roberts

Freshman
Jul 19, 2011
7
0
1
Seattle
Looking for flexible power cables, 14AWG preferred, NEMA 5-15p IEC C13 of various lengths. Want something that lies flat and doesn't kink up.

Any suggestions as to where I can find such?

Thanks.
 
Re: Where to get flexible power cables

Molded cables are made with Thermoplastic (SJT) cable, and therefore are never going to be overly flexible, especially in the cold. If you want IEC cables made with regular SJ cable, which has a rubber jacket, you're going to have to make them yourself or have a cable company like CBI make them for you.

I've made my own, and it's very hard to get even 16/3 SJ into the IEC connectors I bought.
 
Re: Where to get flexible power cables

Gary Weller said:
I just ordered a couple of these from monoprice. Scroll down about halfway to see the 14awg. http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?spcDB=10228&spcWord=Power+Cables+%26+Cords&keyword=iec

When I get them this week, I'll let you know how they are. The price is certainly right.
Click to expand...

Well, I got the new cables and they're not really flexible. Perfect for my needs (for power amps), but not at all what OP is looking for. I do like having the perfect lengths for my amp rack though,.
 
Re: Where to get flexible power cables

My inclination is to keep IEC cables as short as possible, especially within a rack, and then use a variety of SO extension cables that I build, depending on the location.

For example, with powered monitors, a 2 foot IEC is plenty to jump to the power stringer along the front of stage. Or in a typical processing rack, the short IEC's jump to some sort of multitap box (some have Furmans for lights, some are simply Windsor boxes) with a SO tail.
 
Re: Where to get flexible power cables

I carry the Hosa iec cords. They are excellent. One thing I like about them is that the iec end is molded slightly oversize. You have to wiggle them a little to fully insert them in the socket, and they will NOT fall out.
 
Re: Where to get flexible power cables

Alan,

I often make my own extension-cords from a wire that the guys around here (southwest Quebec) refer to as "cap-tire". It remains limp and flexible to -40 degrees Celsius. The road crews often work with this stuff, all winter long. I believe the jacket is rubber. Here's what's stamped on the cable;

CAROL 12/3 90C (UL) Water resistant SOOW CSA -40C FT-2 P-7K-123033 MSHA Made in U.S.A. 600v

Here's what it looks like;

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-other-HEAVY-12-3-ELECTRICAL-WIRE-W0QQAdIdZ328284659

I love working with this stuff. Always hangs limp and doesn't develop a memory.

Bob
 
Re: Where to get flexible power cables

Bob Dodge said:
Alan,

I often make my own extension-cords from a wire that the guys around here (southwest Quebec) refer to as "cap-tire". It remains limp and flexible to -40 degrees Celsius. The road crews often work with this stuff, all winter long. I believe the jacket is rubber. Here's what's stamped on the cable;

CAROL 12/3 90C (UL) Water resistant SOOW CSA -40C FT-2 P-7K-123033 MSHA Made in U.S.A. 600v

Here's what it looks like;

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-other-HEAVY-12-3-ELECTRICAL-WIRE-W0QQAdIdZ328284659

I love working with this stuff. Always hangs limp and doesn't develop a memory.

Bob
Click to expand...
SOOW is great cable, however the application in question is for direct connection to an IEC socket - though there are a couple make-your-own IEC parts around, this is a pretty non-standard way of operating - most IEC cables are molded SJT - the plastic that gets stiff. See Silas' post for his experience.

Alan - I guess if it bugs you enough, you can always mod your gear to Powercon. :)
 
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