Can I use 15amp 125V IEC for 240V components?

[jtein]

Hi folks, I'm from Malaysia and the voltage here is 240V. We use UK sockets with 13amp plugs. But many audiophiles over here prefer to terminate their power cords with US wall plugs and IECs. I notice that the IECs are usually 15amp 125V. Would using them have any adverse effect on the components that are rated 240V?

[fas42]

Shouldn't do, the difference in voltage is neither here nor there. There may be a slight benefit because the 125V connectors have to nominally handle twice the current in a comparable cord, so should be a bit better made; somewhat more meaty metal to handle the higher current ...

Frank

[tomelex]

Shouldn't do, the difference in voltage is neither here nor there. There may be a slight benefit because the 125V connectors have to nominally handle twice the current in a comparable cord, so should be a bit better made; somewhat more meaty metal to handle the higher current ...

Frank

Actually Frank, the UK plug is more meatier.

Tom

[amirm]

The equipment should be fine. The cord though, may be less safe as its insulator is rated for half the voltage.

[jtein]

The equipment should be fine. The cord though, may be less safe as its insulator is rated for half the voltage.

Would that imply that all US made power cords may be less safe for use in countries where the voltage is 240V?

[amirm]

Would that imply that all US made power cords may be less safe for use in countries where the voltage is 240V?

Only if it is marked at 120. For example, the power supply on laptop power supplies is designed to work worldwide so its cord is also rated for the higher voltage.

The danger here is very small and the thing that comes to mind is leakage to the surface. Run your equipment and touch the wire to see if you feel electricity leaking to outside of it. I doubt that you will feel anything. But if you do, it is not a good sign. The other issue which you must avoid is total power through the cable. At 240 volt and the same amps, you can draw twice as much power through the same cable. That causes double the losses in the cable, potentially compromising its insulation. Worse yet, the fuse/breaker in the house will not protect it against shorts and risk of fire. I suspect your gear doesn't pull twice as much power so this is not an issue in this situation.

Mind you, many times the cable is also good for 240 but manufacturer saw no reason to test it at higher specs. This is why I said risks are very low.

BTW, IEC spec goes up to 250 volts. Why not use a cable rated at higher voltage to start? Here is a random one that came up in search: http://www.costcentral.com/proddetai...100028/Y71595/

[Speedskater]

I think that you will find that quality US market cables are all rated at 300 Volts if not 600 Volts. (This type of voltage rating is very conservative)
If the internal resistance of a length of wire remains the same and the current flow remains the same, then the internal power lose of the wire remains the same regardless of the supply voltage.

[fas42]

The other issue which you must avoid is total power through the cable. At 240 volt and the same amps, you can draw twice as much power through the same cable. That causes double the losses in the cable, potentially compromising its insulation. Worse yet, the fuse/breaker in the house will not protect it against shorts and risk of fire. I suspect your gear doesn't pull twice as much power so this is not an issue in this situation.

Sorry, Amir, that doesn't make sense: the amps will draw the same power through the cable irrespective of the voltage, all other things being equal. What will change is the current drawn, and for 240V the current will actually halve, not double; halving the resistive losses in the copper resistance of the cable. There should be no risk of over heating, or fires, whatsoever.

The only possible danger, extremely slight, is not the nominal voltage, but what happens when a nasty voltage spike, say from a lightning strike nearby, comes down the cable. This could be, say, peaking at 2,400V: insulation always has a hefty safety margin built in so it's not a problem, but if some of the construction of the cord is a bit dicky there is a slight chance of a flashover, spark, occurring.

Frank

[tomelex]

I think that you will find that quality US market cables are all rated at 300 Volts if not 600 Volts. (This type of voltage rating is very conservative)
If the internal resistance of a length of wire remains the same and the current flow remains the same, then the internal power lose of the wire remains the same regardless of the supply voltage.

Agreed with comment that 300 is what I have seen inside a lot of power cables in USA.

I thought I would not get drawn into this, but since I am giving my opinion, if you have 240VAC power, use a 240VAC rated cable, plug, and IEC socket and then don't worry you caused the house to burn down.

I always tell my wife on the microwave to first hit reset, then punch in the time then hit start. I know that if i just punch in the time and it does not start its cause someone opened up the microwave door before the time finished, but to avoid extra learning stages for my non technical wife, I just tell her one way, that works every time...

..what does this have to do with this power cord thing, well, what works in one instance might not work in another, especially if you don't "understand" the why of things.

Tom

[Keith_W]

Before you use them make sure you check with your insurance if this is OK. If your house burns down in an electrical fire, your use of non-standard plugs might be an excuse for them to deny your claim even if these plugs had nothing to do with the fire. Insurance companies are bastards!