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Detachable power cords... Why?

Short-scale

Short-scale

Dec 14, 2014
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#1
Why did bass amp manufacturers start using detachable cords? The one upside I can see is its easy to get a replacement one and install it yourself. Other than that, it's too easy to forget them if taken off of the amp.

I have a Hartke 12 kickback which is awesome in every way except the power cord is loose. If I wiggle it around a little, it will make contact but I feel I shouldn't have to do that. Is there possibly a way to tighten it up where it doesn't do this? Or is it something I'll just have to deal with.
 
#3
Short-scale said:
If I wiggle it around a little, it will make contact but I feel I shouldn't have to do that. Is there possibly a way to tighten it up where it doesn't do this?
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Are you sure you're shoving it fully into the receptacle?
If so, you may be able to very gently and carefully spread the contact prongs a little bit to improve their contact within the socket.
Another cord may fit better.

In addition to B-string's response, the amp end of the cord can remain the same while the wall end can be locally sourced for the many countries that don't use US standard wall socket receptacles.
 
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#4
The power cord should fit tightly in the receptacle. Perhaps try a new power cord. They are fairly inexpensive.

I know what you mean. I have a VOX amp made by Marshall. The chassis is mounted to the top of the combo cabinet and the IEC power cord hangs from the bottom. It is an accident waiting to happen, especially with a vibrating cabinet. There was no easy way for them to mount it and keep the vintage look of the amp.
 
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#6
IEC%20LOCK.jpg

There's locking versions. Powercon would be better.
 
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#8
B-string said:
Why? Safety regulations required them.
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When did that happen, what regulations? Geez, I'm an electrical engineer, you'd think I would have heard about it :banghead:

There's still plenty of electronics gear sold in the USA with attached power cords.

The main benefit is for gear with universal supplies, just change the cord to what you need in a given country and you're good to go. I don't tour the world, so it's just annoying to me, especially since the amps have no place to stash the cord!

I've heard the argument about swapping out a bad cord but in 30+ years of gigs I have never had a power cord fail on me, but I have had bandmates show up for gigs without power cords a number of times.
 
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#10
brianrost said:
When did that happen, what regulations? Geez, I'm an electrical engineer, you'd think I would have heard about it :banghead:

There's still plenty of electronics gear sold in the USA with attached power cords.

The main benefit is for gear with universal supplies, just change the cord to what you need in a given country and you're good to go. I don't tour the world, so it's just annoying to me, especially since the amps have no place to stash the cord!

I've heard the argument about swapping out a bad cord but in 30+ years of gigs I have never had a power cord fail on me, but I have had bandmates show up for gigs without power cords a number of times.
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If that is true you are lucky to work in an industry that doesn't have to conform. It is still not my job to know this for you? ;)
 
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#12
FretNoMore said:
Why? Well, one good reason would be you can just include a different cable for each market/country instead of having multiple versions of the whole amp.
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Is the correct answer. The company I work for sells equipment all around the world. We sell the same gear with different lead for each country. I think that there are 2 reasons for the change. 1/ With the development of switch mode power supplies you can make identical gear that will work any where in the world regardless of voltage. 2/ Safety regs in most countries prefer that plug should only be changed by a qualified electrician. You can't sell it without a plug and you can't open each product to fit a one. Cables in bulk cost $2 each so no contest.
 
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#16
FretNoMore said:
Why? Well, one good reason would be you can just include a different cable for each market/country instead of having multiple versions of the whole amp.
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The Allen&Heath PA12 mixer I used to own came with 4 different power cords for different areas of the planet, great idea as then the manufacturer does not have to have multiple SKUs for each model they build and warehouse.
 
#17
beans-on-toast said:
The power cord should fit tightly in the receptacle. Perhaps try a new power cord. They are fairly inexpensive.

I know what you mean. I have a VOX amp made by Marshall. The chassis is mounted to the top of the combo cabinet and the IEC power cord hangs from the bottom. It is an accident waiting to happen, especially with a vibrating cabinet. There was no easy way for them to mount it and keep the vintage look of the amp.
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My Swart STR-Tremolo has it's IEC power connector facing down on the bottom of the chassis. Michael adds a strain relief to the cord onto the side of the cabinet to prevent this from happening.
 
#19
Part of the reason could be the time and cost of getting UL approval for an attached power cord. IEC sockets and cords are preapproved parts.

I worked on a product back in the 80's. The company decided to use an IEC cord because of the stricter requirements for an attached cord. The cord would have to be able to support the weight of the unit without ripping out of the chassis. If I remember right, they would literally swing it from the cord to test it (our product was heavy).

Not sure how the standards have changed since then, but they usually don't get more lenient. I tried looking for the standard, but it seems to be like the NEC, you have to pay for a look at it.

Also, some information on loose connectors here:

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/sec...tors-looking-for-ideas.1118069/#post-16664051

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#20
I always understood it so that it avoids strain relief problems when supporting the weight, like said above. It would ruin the solder joints on any permanently attached cord if the cord had to support the full weight of a 40lb amp. Also avoids a stack toppling if a plugged in cord accidentally gets kicked or walked into.
 
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