Let’s talk about power cords for a second. We get a lot of questions regarding why we use detachable power cords and what plug type is recommended.
Why does PDUs Direct use detachable power cords? Why not hardwire the power cord? The answer is ease of production and lower inventory levels. The detachable power cord allows us to stock one product and provide multiple options to you the customer. This keeps our costs down, which in turn, allows us to offer you lower pricing. 30A products are hardwired with either a L5-30P for 110V or L6-30P for 208V products.
The most widely used 110V 20A plug type in the US and Canada is the NEMA 5-15P straight blade plug. It is the same plug as your standard home wall outlets. The plus side of this plug type is you can use it anywhere. The down side, it is only rated to 15A (derated to 12A), so you cannot put a full load on that circuit. Depending on your applications that may not matter, if it doesn’t, don’t upgrade you outlets. The flexibility will benefit you in the long run.
If you need to fully load a 110V 20A circuit, your choices are the NEMA 5-20P straight blade or the NEMA L5-20P twist lock. The NEMA 5-20P is much like the NEMA 5-15P, but one of the prongs is rotated 90 degrees. The wire gauge is larger in these cords, which allow you to run higher current loads. The NEMA L5-20P is a twist lock plug. It can be rather bulky but it is very secure when connected. Both plug types are rated to 20A (derated to 16A), so you can fully load the circuit.
My personal preference is the twist lock plug. If you are going to upgrade the outlet to accept full 20A plugs, you might as well get the secure plug type. However if you are in tight quarters where the plug is protected the straight blade could save you some maintenance headaches.
The 208V power cords are the NEMA 6-20P or the NEMA L6-20P. The 6-20P is a straight blade plug type and the L6-20P is a twist lock. PDUs Direct only offers the NEMA L6-20P for 208V power distribution units. We don’t see a lot of demand for the 6-20P straight blade. Most 208V circuits seem to be installed with the twist lock plug type for the added security.
Some users have express concerns about the cord detaching. Server Technology designed a extremely secure C20 retention clamp. The clamp is included in the accessory package of each 20A unit, and is installed to the C20 power inlet. The power cord is then inserted and the clamp is tightened. When that is completed the cord is as secure as any hardwired device with a strain relief.
We hope this helps in some way. Let us know your thoughts and leave a comment.
