Detachable power cords... Why?

[negativefx]

I modified all of my equipment that *didn't* have a detachable. Added an IEC jack in and good to go. Same cable for everything, no "oh noes, this cord is only 3ft and I need 6, better get an extension cord!", blah blah. Far better. If the jack is loose, replace it. They're $.30 at home depot.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

First thing we do when setting up on stage is lay out extension power cords (the roll kind with four outlets) so there is power everywhere it's needed. So no need for extra long cords for the amp, note stand light, pedalboard or what have you.

When we toured, we ALWAYS expected there to be a power problem. So we did the same, make sure you have power abundant on stage for everything-- FOH, lights, amps. I always liked the roll-up power with 4 outlets. Sometimes if the place looked questionable our soundman would ask to look at the breaker box and check amperage readings for the stage.

 

[StayLow]

Lol
Saw this 1st thing this morning and it made my day. Now ya'll play nice.

Glad someone had a laugh. Rest assured, I was being *extremely* nice.

 

[Mark Reccord]

Are aftermarket IEC cables supposed to be UL/CE/CSA/Whatever rated? Because none of the so-called high end ones I've ever seen are.

 

[beans-on-toast]

It's a total pain in the hole at all levels. I can understand why a lot of small mfrs don't bother, though I'm not sure I'd take that risk supposing I ever go down that road again.

Some companies sell parts and kits rather than a finished product as a way to get around liabilities. Some places have you sign or acknowledge a waiver limiting their liability before they will give you a schematic to look at.

 

[packhowitzer]

So other company's can sell you a "BETTER" one for $800.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Are aftermarket IEC cables supposed to be UL/CE/CSA/Whatever rated? Because none of the so-called high end ones I've ever seen are.

They are supposed to be, aren't they.

At the same time, there are illegal imported products being sold. When complaints are made about products not conforming to emission regulations for example, the US FCC can take a long time to resolve the problem. A lot can slip through.

 

[StayLow]

Wow. To be fair, that is "art". If those translucent ends have a blue LED in them and the cable's not more than $100-$200, they'd sell huge on this site.

 

[B-string]

Might sell better on an audiofool site. But they need to have magnetically aligned pure oxygen free copper conductors

Almost forgot the cryo treatment as well.

 

[Mark Reccord]

They are supposed to be, aren't they.

At the same time, there are illegal imported products being sold. When complaints are made about products not conforming to emission regulations for example, the US FCC can take a long time to resolve the problem. A lot can slip through.

I've never actually looked at the regulations on power cables as everything I've been involved with had an IEC inlet but I always assumed they were supposed to be. There are lots of fancy ones using proprietary wire and I've never seen one with a standards body mark on it and I've seen and auditioned more than I'd like to admit, including utterly ridiculous things priced at $10k+.

EDIT: None of which ever made any audible or measurable difference to anything.

 

[2.6kHz]

I needed a good laugh today after all the snow I've had to shovel. Thank you for the pic of that cord. That made my day.

 

[B-string]

I've never actually looked at the regulations on power cables as everything I've been involved with had an IEC inlet but I always assumed they were supposed to be. There are lots of fancy ones using proprietary wire and I've never seen one with a standards body mark on it and I've seen and auditioned more than I'd like to admit, including utterly ridiculous things priced at $10k+.

EDIT: None of which ever made any audible or measurable difference to anything.

Then they were not properly cryro treated! The magnetically aligned copper molecules were not set and were free to drift out of alignment!
The thought that I could actually write some BS ad copy is starting to make me feel ill

 

[1bassplayinfool]

 

[Coolhandjjl]

I modified all of my equipment that *didn't* have a detachable. Added an IEC jack in and good to go. Same cable for everything, no "oh noes, this cord is only 3ft and I need 6, better get an extension cord!", blah blah. Far better. If the jack is loose, replace it. They're $.30 at home depot.

What did you use to punch the hole?

 

[StayLow]

Might sell better on an audiofool site. But they need to have magnetically aligned pure oxygen free copper conductors

Almost forgot the cryo treatment as well.

I often have to check the URL to make sure... plenty of audiofools right here.

Surely the magnetically aligned pure oxygen-free alloy is a given? As are arrows stamped on the ends so I'm certain in which direction the signal flows. Shouldn't assume, I suppose.

 

[gnarlyWarlock]

Idk why OP prefers them to be proprietary and permanently attached. I like the ac standard cables, as I don't have too many receptacles, and I don't wanna bother getting a power strip, ergo, anytime I switch between my Ampeg and GK I just plug n' play that one cable into either. I never had problems with bent contacts, and to be frank have had problems with permanently attached cords just frankly, ripping. Hell, not exactly amp related, but I constantly have to change headphones because the jack gets damaged so easily...I'd love to have myself some nice Audio-Technicas or Yamahas with a detachable audio cable...

 

[Short-scale]

Idk why OP prefers them to be proprietary and permanently attached. I like the ac standard cables, as I don't have too many receptacles, and I don't wanna bother getting a power strip, ergo, anytime I switch between my Ampeg and GK I just plug n' play that one cable into either. I never had problems with bent contacts, and to be frank have had problems with permanently attached cords just frankly, ripping. Hell, not exactly amp related, but I constantly have to change headphones because the jack gets damaged so easily...I'd love to have myself some nice Audio-Technicas or Yamahas with a detachable audio cable...

I can see the thinking behind the detachable power cord in that if someone trips over it, it will pull away instead of tearing up an amp.
My complaint was the fact the cable developed play in it which affected performance. I didn't know that there were better replacements out there. The locking one looks like it would be pretty dependable....
The idea about the detachable headphone cables would definitely be a good one!

 

[BassmanPaul]

I hope she has an approved receptacle is all I can say!!

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Now how should we plug them in to receive power? I have a horizontal power strip in my rack and that has been working for years. But on the walls the plugs are stacked vertical.
And should they share a plug space on the power strip with a wall wart or do we not mix our 3 prong plugs with 2 prong?
I am so confused.

 

[Spectrum]

7 pages and no one has yet asked:

What is the best power cord for metal?