Power Cords

All power cords are not the same

When we have a datanetwork, a PBX o critical equipment, it is important to take into consideration de power cords we use. There are, of course, technical reasons but there are also aesthetical reasons to choose the right cable. A damaged, technical incorrect or not certified electrical cable can make our router stop working, damage our servers or stop our services for some time and make us lose money.

Most of the time we do not pay attention to power cords, but there are environmental friendly options and can offer us great money and time savings. To choose the right longitude, gauge, color, jacket material, angled connector, etc, can impact positively in efficiency of equipment connected.

In WirelessLan S.L. we distribute the manufacturer StayOnline, specialist in power cords. StayOnline have cables for one computer, to data centers o big solar farms installations. With different types of connectors for indoor and outdoor, protectors and all kind of necessary accessories.

Cable Length and Gauge

This two could be the most obvious points. To choose the right cable length and gauge, but not always we take it into account or we see all the inconvenients of a bad decision.

As longer the cable more energy is lost during the transport and therefore more electricity we need to run our equipment. For a switch or a computer, numbers are not important, but when we are talking about a big office building with hundreds of computers or a data center, it is important to take the right cable.

It is very important to adequate the gauge of a cable to the amount of current that will pass by the cable. As thinner the cable, more heat will generate to transport the same amount of current, making possible to start a fire or the need of more air conditioning to maintain temperature of the room.

Color

It is a simple concept but seldom employed. If you have redundant power paths, then use different color power cords. This will make tracing power distribution easier and more importantly, prevent inadvertent disconnections when moving equipment. One common use case is to have a red cord that could being used to identify critical equipment as a “never unplug.”

In a public service office with monitors on the desks, cables could be colorful to make them more attractive.

Plug and Connector Angle

An angled connector is not just good for a tidy look. An angled plug or connector isn’t just good for a tidy look. Using the appropriate angle for your power cords can help to reduce the probability of disconnect, but can also improve air flow to your servers. Properly selected angled cords can also reduce the strain on the cord, thus reducing the chance that a short could develop in the cord

There are also locking cords that prevent the possibility to disconnect a critical equipment inadvertently.

Jacket Material

Of course the outside material and all the cable has to comply with RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances); but restrictions are increasing to use safer materials in manufacturing processes, for example LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) to prevent toxic substances in case of a fire. Other short term goal is cables to be PVC free.

In short, there are many types of cables, connectors and accessories for power, both for indoor and outdoor. If specified correctly the cables can safe us money and make our networking equipment to work better at the same time that make them safer in case of accident.

In WirelessLan S.L. we can guide you about the different options. We have all types of cables and connectors you could need.