All You Need To Know About Server Power Cords - A Complete Guide

Power cables are widely used in data centers and server rooms to supply power to different electrical loads and computer equipment. However, you may discover a perplexing selection of power cords with various connectors and receptacles based merely on their look. Not to mention that how each is used differs significantly. So, how do you find power wires and organize them in your IT rack? 

Generally speaking, the most common power cords found in a data center server rack is an IEC C14 to C13 cord. These two cables are used to connect server and network equipment power sources to a PDU or power strip and are sometimes referred to as jumper cords. 
 

In this article, you'll learn more about power connectors and cables, the standard types often used in data centers for servers, and how to manage them appropriately to assist you in identifying and selecting the proper connectors and cables for your unique server needs. 

What to Understand About Power Cords 

Electronic equipment in the server room is connected to the AC power source through server power cords with detachable connections on both ends. A power cord consists of three pieces: a cable plug (male connector) that plugs into an AC outlet to deliver electricity, a receptacle (female connector) that joins these two parts, and a cord that links them. Power cables with various connection types are discussed in this part, along with a complete examination of their names, appearances, and applications. 

Why Do Server Power Cords Come in Different Types 

Safety standards, efficient power delivery, intended usage, heat ratings, functionality, wiring schemes, and circuit specifications are only a few criteria that power connections must meet.  

These and other pertinent standards define the number of wires, blade material, wire jacket colors, gauge, connector size, insulation, shielding, plug housing, and connection arrangement available on the market. Due to the wide range of power arrangements and needs, standards groups have established specifications for manufacturers to design electric connectors, cables, and devices safely. 

Hence, jumper cables or standard power cords that connect to servers must also follow these specifications. A power cable comprises three parts: a plug, a cord, and a receptacle. These cables come in many shapes and sizes, and they serve different servers worldwide. The IEC60320 power cord and the NEMA power cord are the two most prevalent varieties. Around the world, the former is more frequently used. However, the latter is more common in North America and other nations following NEMA guidelines. 

Likewise, the C13 to C14 power cable is the most common server power cable type found in several suppliers such as Dell, HP, and IBM. But you can broadly divide these power cords into three main categories depending on their use cases. 

Different Scenarios For Various Cabling Systems

Power Cords For Low-Density Systems

Cords for low-density systems are generally simple to install. Take, for example, servers in a tower configuration. To connect directly to the facility's AC supply, it must utilize a country-specific power cable. However, achieving server availability goals may require a redundant AC bus or a UPS to provide redundant AC power to the server. You can connect two servers to a UPS using different server power cables. Such servers can utilize a C13 to the C14 power cord or a NEMA 5-15P to C13 power connection. Overall, each power supply requires an optional country-specific power cable for connection to a local AC outlet.

Medium Density System Cords

The medium-density system is slightly more challenging to understand than the low-density system. As a result, several kinds and accessories may be required to create a reliable power connection. Also, power connections are made utilizing modular PDH, extension bars, and C13 to C14 power cord assemblies. Some servers include hot-pluggable fans, which may be accessed by sliding the chassis out on rails. This implies that the power cords or jumper cables connecting the servers must be long and loose enough to enable chassis movement while remaining connected and powered

High-Density System Cords

Compared to the two systems outlined above, power cables used in high-density systems can be shorter since cable movement is more restricted. For example, first, the C13 to C14 power cord connects a single-supply server to a vertical mount PDU, suited for lower-density deployments. The second option is to employ C13 x4-to-C20 fixed chord extension bars, which is suggested for high-density installations with redundant power sources. Finally, since high-density systems have so many wires, color-coding power cords are helpful in these scenarios.  

Server power cables are an essential link in the power supply system for network devices. You may purchase a variety of IEC power cords, NEMA power cables, and jumper wires in up to 12 colors with many different types and options for your data center power cords, including IEC C14 to C13, C20 to C19, C14 to C15, and so on. But most essentially, you need to choose a reliable hardware supplier and would not compromise on quality for the sake of profit.

Continue reading to learn more about some of the server power cords mentioned above. 

Most Common US Power Cords For Serves 

The most popular power cables in the United States have an IEC connector that connects to the server and a NEMA connector that connects to the power supply. The International Electrotechnical Commission, abbreviated as IEC, oversees the standards for these IEC connectors.

IEC C13 And C14 Connectors 

IEC 60320 is a series of IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards that specifies components for connecting power supply cables to electrical equipment with a voltage of up to 250V. The most frequent method of attaching a detachable cable set to electrical or electronic equipment is through the IEC 60320 AC power input.  

The IEC 60320 system is widely utilized in the developed world. The manufacturer can attach a country-specific cord set (e.g., a country-specific plug on one end with an IEC 60320 connector on the other end) just before shipment by building an IEC 60320 power input into the device. This may enable the equipment producer to create a marketable product worldwide.

Inlets And Connectors

Connectors and inlets are among the IEC 60320 system's components. A connector is the power end that connects to an inlet and provides electricity to the equipment. The intake is the name given to the power connector on equipment. The gadget allows electricity to enter the machine through a connection. 

A connector and an inlet, often known as appliance couplers, allow standard inlets and country-specific cable sets. This enables manufacturers to offer identical devices for many markets, with the only difference being the cable set. 

C13 And C14 Connectors

As you already know by now, the C13 connector and C14 inlet are two of the most commonly utilized IEC 60320 components. The C13 connector has a cable-mount attaching type. The C14 inlet comes in two styles: screw-mount and snap-in. 

Some selections of C13 connectors have a 10A/250VAC worldwide rating and a 15A/250VAC North American rating, as well as a temperature tolerance of up to 70°C. With a temperature of up to 70°C, C14 inlets are also rated at 10A/250VAC worldwide and 15A/250VAC in North America. 

The C13 connection comes in five distinct configurations, four of which are angled and one of which is straight. If space between the equipment and the wall is restricted, or if the cord length must be maintained to a minimum, an angled connection can help protect the wire from getting pinched or twisted, resulting in safer cable routing.

NEMA 5-15P And NEMA 5-15R 

NEMA is an abbreviation for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is a US-based group that creates a wide range of standards for electrical equipment in the United States; however, this section will be confined to common power cable connections.  

The most widely used types are NEMA 5 connectors. These connections come in three different ratings: 15A, 20A, and 30A. In the United States, the 5-15 connector is the most popular. This is the most common connection used on wall outlets and extension cables. The letters P and R stand for Plugs and Receptacles in the terminology. 

In North America and Canada, the NEMA 5-15 receptacle is the most common electrical receptacle. It's a two-pole, three-wire grounding receptacle that can handle up to 15 amps and 125 volts. Green for Ground and white for Neutral are the traditional wire colors. The color of the Hotwire depends on the electrical plan of the building; the most typical colors for the Hotwire are black and red. As you can expect, individual prongs: Hot, Neutral, and Ground, are indicated in each power cable found in the server room. 

If the nomenclature includes an L, the plugs and receptacles are twist locks. For example, a NEMA L5-20P designates a twist-lock NEMA 5 20A plug. Therefore, a NEMA L5-20R receptacle would be appropriate for this plug.

IEC C13 And NEMA 5-15P

Power Cables with an IEC C13 & NEMA 5-15P on the power cable are typically included with certain brands of servers. An essential item is where the power cord will plug. When acquiring NEMA power cords for your new server, you'll need to know what receptacle you'll need. 

Some IEC C13 to NEMA 5-15P power cables have 14 AWG wires for high-power connections, making them viable for big server applications that demand a higher-rated, heavier-gauge cable. It can connect a computer, server, monitor, laser printer, or hard drive to a power distribution unit (PDU), UPS, surge protector, or AC wall socket.  

It may also replace or enhance the regular power cable that came with the device. The two-foot length helps to eliminate cable clutter and tripping hazards. A cable coming loose by mistake might result in a loss of power and costly downtime. The locking C13 connection protects vital equipment by providing a secure, non-failure link. 

When relocating equipment in a rack or removing equipment from tight spaces, the locking cable ensures the power wire is permanently attached. Examples like the P007-L02 often come with a lifetime guarantee of dependability and efficiency. 

Server Power Cord Management 

Power and data cords, such as fiber optic cables or copper cables, invariably coexist within an IT rack. For improved network performance and visual appeal, they require a careful and thoughtful arrangement. Here are three suggestions for effective power cord management for servers .

Keep Power And Data Cables Apart

We all know that EMI may affect the performance of wires. Separating power and fiber optic cables helps to lessen EMI's impacts, irregular or error-prone data transfer, and human mistakes. If you must cross power and data wires in a specific setting, make sure they are crossed perpendicular to reduce EMI.

Get Colored Power Cords

It is critical to identify and manage electrical cords correctly. Colored power wires are a fantastic way to make equipment organization easier within the rack. These power cords enable easier identification, simplified management of primary and redundant power sources, and quick installation, resulting in a clean and organized server room.

Label Your Cords

Labeling both ends of the power cable is necessary for the infrastructure installation and testing procedure and a wise investment. As a result, you won't have to waste time looking for and distinguishing between different power cords. 

Conclusion

The power cable is an essential item that provides your network with the necessary power source. We've gone over some fundamentals relating to power cords for servers in this post and some ideas for effective power cord management in your server racks. Hopefully, this helps you identify and select the best power cord for you. 

As you can see from the information offered here, there are numerous aspects and alternatives to consider when picking power cables and connections for your servers. The wrong cable type or connections can cause considerable delays, unscheduled downtime, and resultant revenue and productivity losses. Fortunately, if you understand the concepts mentioned here and can clearly define your requirements, selecting the proper combination of cables and connections for your servers should be relatively straightforward.