power

SAINT LOUIS, Missouri, Mar. 4, 2019 – ShowMeCables, an Infinite Electronics brand and leading supplier of connectivity solutions, is proud to announce their new line of power cords. Consisting of over 300 different types of NEMA, IEC, international, hospital grade and angled cords, this new line ensures that ShowMeCables will continue to serve the power demands for IT, Data Center and OEM markets. Readily available power cords include lengths from 1-25 feet, multiple colors, plug orientations, and wire gauges.

ShowMeCables’ manufacturing process emphasizes quality and reliability. Each cable is tested and conforms to the most stringent industry tests and certifications- RoHS, UL, WEEE, REACH and ISO 9001.

This project was made possible thanks to the diligence and dedication of leading Product Manager Andrew Johnston. Spearheading this initiative from the very beginning, Johnston was happy to announce the final result of his endeavors, “Our continuously growing line of readily available premium power cords are a great solution for everyone, from a home user that needs a single replacement cord to high-end data centers needing to power hundreds of critical pieces of hardware.”

Power cords offered at ShowMeCables are ready to ship today with no minimum order quantity. The website’s easy-to-use layout includes features to narrow the list by connector type, AWG, length, color, and more. Full details on ShowMeCables power cords can be seen here: https://www.showmecables.com/by-category/cables/power

Surge protectors are a simple way to protect electronics from electrical damage. Power surges can range anywhere from small impulses that gradually wear equipment down to lightning strikes that could fry everything electrical in an entire building. Not all surge protectors are equal and it is important to know the different features offered before selecting one.

Surge Protectors vs. Power Strips

The terms “surge protector” and “power strip” are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. A power strip is anything that plugs into a single wall outlet and gives it multiple outlets. Not every single power strip out there has surge protection built into it. If a power strip is priced especially low, it most likely does not have any form of surge protection. While these can be used for additional outlets, they will do nothing to protect your electronics from electrical surges.

Surge protectors (also called surge suppressors) are designed to stop excess electricity from damaging anything plugged into them. This layer of protection is measured in joules. Electricity can also have signal issues due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). There are AC surge protectors along with DC surge protectors. For this discussion, we'll talk about AC surge protectors.

What Are Joules? - Joule Ratings

Different surge protectors have di

American Wire Gauge (AWG)

What is American Wire Gauge (AWG)?

American Wire Gauge (AWG, sometimes called the Brown & Sharpe wire gauge) is the standardized wire gauge system used to measure the size of electric conducting wire in the United States since 1857. AWG refers to wire made with a solid metal core. It is represented as a simple number that is calculated by finding the radius of the wire, squaring that number, and multiplying it by pi (AWG = πr²). The smaller the number is, the thicker the cable will be.

Stranded wire is also commonly referred to using AWG, but it a little more complex. Because standard cables are made using multiple wires instead of a single solid core, they can be given multiple numbers. For example, a cable called “24 AWG (7x32)” means that the overall outer diameter is 24 AWG but on the inside, the cable has seven 32 AWG wires.

Common Wire Gauges

Certain types of cables will always be the same AWG. For example, RG58 cable is always made as a 20 AWG cable regardless of manufacturer. Coax cables tend to be the same size across the board with different connectors made for the different kinds of cables. There are a few exceptions, such as cables with Quad Shielding being a little thicker and needing special connectors, but these are few and far between.

On the other side of that, there are some cables that come in different variants and as a result, can have different AWGs. Ethernet cable is a prime example for this. Standard ethernet cable is typically 23 or 24 AWG from most manufacturers. However, you also have versions like

Power cables are incredibly varied, with different types of cables and standards being set by their use and the country they are used in. In the United States alone, there are over a dozen types that are commonly used. Each type of power cable connector has its own name, so most power cables will have two names associated with them. There are two main standards for power cables in the US, NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

Types of NEMA connectors include:

• 1-15
• 5-15
• 5-20

Types of IEC connectors include:

• C5/C6
• C7/C8
• C13/C14
• C15/C16
• C19/C20

NEMA

Many cables will contain either a NEMA 1-15, 5-15, or 5-20 connector for connecting to a wall outlet. 1-15 is the older, ungrounded type of connector with two metal prongs. On old cables, these prongs can be the same size, but typically one is slightly larger than the other. 5-15 is the three-pronged upgrade to 1-15 that has been grounded. 5-20 looks similar to 5-15 but one of the metal prongs will be horizontal instead of vertical. These are rated for higher amperage than their 5-15 counterparts and commonly used for hospital equipment.

What are Lightning Cables?

Lightning cables are a type of cable designed to be used specifically with iPhones. Functionally, they are very similar to the standard types of USB cables used with Android phones. Lightning cables are proprietary to Apple and the only type of connection that will work for charging most iPhones or connecting them to other devices.

Apple introduced Lightning cables in September 2012 to replace older, bulkier connectors. Any iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device made after late 2012 likely uses a lightning connection. Lightning cables are not compatible with older Apple devices that use the wider, 30-pin style connectors.

There are some MacBooks that use a USB-C connection instead of lightning cables. Be sure to check a MacBook to see what it uses before purchasing a cable. Being proprietary, it can be a bit tricky to find lightning cables and accessories without purchasing expensive items from Apple directly. Thankfully, Apple does allow a certain degree of freedom to third parties and that is where our new adapter comes in.

Charge Your Phone and Listen to Music at the Same Time

On an iPhone, the lightning port has two main uses. The first is to charge the phone, keeping the

What are Portable Cords?

A portable cord is a type of power cable designed for temporary use. Portable cords are multi-conductor cables that come in a variety of AWGs. Depending on the specifications of the cord, they can power anything from handheld tools to heavy machinery.

Aside from different AWGs, there are a number of classifications that can be applied to portable cords. Each portable cord has associated letter codes indicating exactly what it is built for. Since portable cords can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial areas, the exact specs of the cord will depend on its application.

Letter Codes

The letter codes used for portable cords are defined by Underwriters Labs:

• S = Severe Service Cord
• SJ = Junior Severe Service
• SVT = Vacuum Cleaner Cord
• T = Tinsel Cord (only if “T” is the first letter)
• T = Thermoplastic (if “T” is not the first letter)
• H = Heat Resistant
• HH = High Heat Resistant
• N = Nylon Outer Jacket
• E = Elastomer
• O = Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket
• OO = Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket and Oil-Resistant Insulation
• P = Parallel Cord
• V = Vacuum Cord
• W-A = Weather Resistant
• W = Weather and Water Resistant

Each portable cord designation uses a combination of the above letter codes. For example, one of the most common portable cords is SOOW. That means it will be rated S (Severe Service Cord), OO (Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket and Oil-Resistant Insulation), and W (Weather and Water Resistant). Knowing the various codes and what they stand for is esse

What are Tray Cables?

Tray cables are power cables used in industrial settings such as factories, utility substations, and more. Along with power, tray cables can also be used for communications. Tray cables were first invented to replace smaller cables that had issues with power and communications failure. Today, tray cables are required for many industrial applications in accordance with the National Electric Code (NEC).

As the name implies, tray cables are meant to be used in trays or other conduit like raceway or wiring ducts. The NEC requires that tray cable is supported every six feet. Tray cable must also meet the exposed run requirement for the property it is on.

The most valuable aspect of tray cable is its versatility. They are designed to be used in many rough environments and are built to be waterproof, UV resistant, and resistant to high temperatures. Whether for a light residential project or heavy machinery on a construction site, tray cable is built to get the job done.

Types of Tray Cables

There are a few different varieties of tray cables but they all share a few things in common. Tray cable is usable in Class 1 and 2, Division 2 hazardous locations as defined by the NEC. The most common variant of tray cable is VNTC.

VNTC (Vinyl Nylon Tray Cable) uses nylon insulation and a PVC jacket. Rated for 600V and 90° Celsius (194° Fahrenheit), VNTC is available from 10-18 AWG with 2-50 conductors (the number of available conductors depends on the AWG of the cable). Both shielded and unshielded versions of VNTC cable are available. VNTC is most commonly used in industrial or commercial a

What are Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Cables?

To understand Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) cables, the first step is to look at VFDs themselves. VFDs (also called Adjustable Frequency Drives and Variable Voltage/Variable Frequency Drives) are adjustable speed drives utilized in electro-mechanical systems. A VFD allows users to control voltage and input frequency to adjust torque and AC motor speed.

It is true that VFDs and VFD cables are not the only option for powering industrial equipment. However, they have a number of advantages over their competitors. The precision control enabled by a VFD stops energy from being wasted. The efficiency of using a VFD allows machinery work smarter instead of harder, reducing wear and tear so motors last longer. This also makes the equipment more reliable overall and reduces the amount of maintenance and downtime users will have to deal with.

VFDs can be used in a wide range of applications, from mid-sized machinery to large-scale equipment in industrial environments. Machines that utilize VFDs require high voltage lines to maintain their energy usage and meeting those extreme requirements is where VFD cables come in.

Why use VFD Cables?

Being made for industrial use, VFD cables are very heavy-duty and built to stand up to harsh conditions. VFD systems are prone to voltage spikes that VFD cables are designed to withstand. High voltage spikes can exceed the voltage rating of a cable, potentially damaging the cable as well as the equipment if using a non-VFD cable. Additionally, voltage spikes are more common on longer cables and can cause electrical interference with other nearby equipment. VFD cables are specifically built to counteract these issues and stop the problems

What is Digital Lighting Management?

Digital Lighting Management (DLM) is a new, innovative system designed to maximize energy savings in each and every room of any building. In the state of California, DLM is now required to keep buildings up to code. This system will not only meet state codes but exceed their requirements to save energy costs on any electrically powered equipment.

The cables used for DLM, called Lighting Control Cables, are compatible with a variety of devices, from wall switches to occupancy sensors, to ensure the individuals using the devices are contributing towards your energy savings just as much as your new lighting control cables and DLM system. Even in areas where state codes have not implemented this requirement yet, installing this system now will optimize your energy savings even sooner.

How does Digital Lighting Management work?

DLM utilizes ethernet cables with RJ45 jacks, similar to a line used between a modem and computer. Designed for easy installation, just plug the cable in and it will be ready to go. Alongside these crucial cables, you will also need a few other pieces of equipment.

Room controllers are the backbone of any digital lighting management system. Each controller automatically configures your DLM network for top-of-the-line energy efficiency. From there, users can run Lighting Control Cables to other electrical equipment in the building. Some devices are used for direct control, such