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Detachable power cords... Why?

#141
Mark Reccord said:
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.
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http://www.interpower.com/ic/design.../More-Information-on-International-cords.html

I always wonder why they charge hundreds of dollars for a digital copy of these regulations. Regulations are always complicated. At the site above they describe how different countries have different requirements. CSA wants a number on the cable, UL doesn't but requires a reference number that will lead to their approval number.

The world needs a harmonized standard. Fat chance of that happening soon when civil servant jobs are involved.
 
#142
Spectrum said:
7 pages and no one has yet asked:

What is the best power cord for metal?
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This one?

shutterstock_107685965-615px.jpg


Sorry, couldn't resist. :D

Maybe one of these?
Bobby+pins-001.jpg
 
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#145
Short-scale said:
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!
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Fair enough. But the latter exists, its just expensive http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0042...=1423522161&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd+598
 
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#146
Coolhandjjl said:
What did you use to punch the hole?
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Dremel works great but so do nibbers. I start with the existing power cord hole if one exists. Most IEC jacks are fine with a poorly cut rectangle hole and have enough of a flange to be rather forgiving of your handiwork.

I did this to my Fender BXR 100 combo, my Fender PA100 (the stupid thing had an 18" cord when I got it), and a few hardwired pedals.

For as much as we dog Line 6, they have done an excellent job of using IECs and ethernet jacks for their pedals and amps rather than MIDI and hardwired whatnots. Even their wallwarts are designed well. I wish *every* mfg adopted their methods for connectivity. Ethernet is better than MIDI IMO because the connectors cost pennies not dollars. The cabling is a commodity.
 
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#153
ggunn said:
Can you cite an official Underwriters' Lab source that says amps with permanent power cords cannot be listed?
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Of course an appliance in the US can be built with an attached power cord and pass the certification process. Nobody claimed that they couldn't.

It isn't good enough to build an amp to the standards. Certification requires that the appliance is put through a testing process, paperwork is submitted, everything is reviewed by the agency and an approval was issued. If it wasn't a requirement, companies wouldn't invest all that they do to go through the process.
 
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#155
ggunn said:
Can you cite an official Underwriters' Lab source that says amps with permanent power cords cannot be listed?
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Many pieces of equipment also carry the CE mark (Europe). The detachable power cord covers the "two pole disconnect" requirement.

You will often see more than one agency mark on equipment (CE, UL, CSA.....), some requirements overlap, some are there to satisfy only one of the agencies. It's more cost effective to make one piece of equipment to cover the global market. If you open an amp, you will see more than one option in the power supply section (jumpers installed or removed). With switching power supplies that are often used, the global market is easy to satisfy since these power supplies often operate at 100~264 VAC. CE (Europe) likes to see the ability to break both incoming legs of the supply.
A detachable power cord keeps the manufacturing costs down.

In a production department, a device (amplifier) moves through the production process much more efficiently when a pig tail isn't attached until
final testing.
 
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#156
ArtechnikA said:
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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This last bit assumes that the amp's voltage is selectable to match differing AC outputs across the world...
 
#157
Joebone said:
This last bit assumes that the amp's voltage is selectable to match differing AC outputs across the world...
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Many are internally "switchable"--- with the selection done during manufacturing.
Some have switching power supplies that operate @ 100~264 VAC. In either case, the only difference is the end that plugs into the wall.
The manufacturer has to be sure to ship the correct power cord with the unit.
 
#158
I've seen many many different amps, appliances, etc. that had a somewhat frayed power cord at the connection point where the cord meets the object. Probably about 3/4 of older, well-used power drills will have this issue. Amps are not intended to stay in one location and have the power cords undisturbed by plugging, unplugging, wrapping, etc. The detachable cord in a logical longevity innovation as well as other more electro-technical considerations.
 
#159
beans-on-toast said:
Of course an appliance in the US can be built with an attached power cord and pass the certification process. Nobody claimed that they couldn't.

It isn't good enough to build an amp to the standards. Certification requires that the appliance is put through a testing process, paperwork is submitted, everything is reviewed by the agency and an approval was issued. If it wasn't a requirement, companies wouldn't invest all that they do to go through the process.
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Au contraire. Several people on this thread have stated that the detachable power cord is common because of changing regulations and UL listing issues, and that attached power cables are somehow "illegal". I haven't found any evidence of that.

As a design engineer in the renewable energy business I am painfully aware of many UL (and other agency) listings issues.
 
#160
Having a detatchable IEC power cord is practically a required feature for me to buy any piece of gear-ever since the chord for my old BXR 60 got ripped out when it got caught in a car door durring load in for a gig-we unloaded the gear, closed the door, and then the drummer moved the van, and dragged my amp (while I watched) for about 10 feet before the chord ripped out.

also, you can usually find a couple of power cables at thrift stores for like $1. I always just keep a coupe of extra in my car.
 

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