Power Cord Identification

P

Pik95

Junior Audioholic
Everyone has been such a big help here and I hate to even post this. Is there a difference between power cords that have the same ends? I have 4-5 cords that I threw in a box. Now I need to figure out which is for which and I have no idea. Does it matter? They are for Amp, Sub, Pre Amp, and HDCD. One is thicker but they all have the same ends. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
 

Attachments

Paul DS

Paul DS

Full Audioholic
The power cords you are showing should handle power requirements for just about any audio gear that you might connect. It won't make any difference whatsoever which ones you use.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Maybe use the heaviest gauge on the power amp....but as long as they fit (they appear to be standard IEC cords)....
 
P

Pik95

Junior Audioholic
I thought the thickest was for the sub, but I don't know. I say that's cool and I'll use the thick one for the amp if you guys are confident it doesn't matter. Thanks again.
 
Verdinut

Verdinut

Audioholic Spartan
I thought the thickest was for the sub, but I don't know. I say that's cool and I'll use the thick one for the amp if you guys are confident it doesn't matter. Thanks again.
That's perfectly okay.
 
Speedskater

Speedskater

Audioholic General
Both the amplifier and the powered sub use a lot more current than anything else.
Look in the fine print on the cords for size # like 14AWG, 16AWG or 18AWG. 14AWG is large and 18AWG is small.
Length may dictate which goes where.
 
P

Pik95

Junior Audioholic
Both the amplifier and the powered sub use a lot more current than anything else.
Look in the fine print on the cords for size # like 14AWG, 16AWG or 18AWG. 14AWG is large and 18AWG is small.
Length may dictate which goes where.
That's helpful. Two say 16, one 14, and one is blank. Ill use the 14 on the preamp or HDCD I guess.
 
P

Pik95

Junior Audioholic
That's helpful. Two say 16, one 14, and one is blank. Ill use the 14 on the preamp or HDCD I guess.
I'm confusing myself now. So should I use the 14awg on the amp, which uses the most juice? Even though the cord is thicker on the 16?
 
Paul DS

Paul DS

Full Audioholic
I thought the thickest was for the sub, but I don't know. I say that's cool and I'll use the thick one for the amp if you guys are confident it doesn't matter. Thanks again.
For many years I ran a 16mm sound projector that used a 1,000 watt light bulb and an 18 watt tube amplifier with a cable no thicker than those you are showing. In short, you have nothing to worry about.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I'm confusing myself now. So should I use the 14awg on the amp, which uses the most juice? Even though the cord is thicker on the 16?
Go by the wire gauge rather than the insulation...
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
So, the power plugs you are looking at are typically referred to as IEC type plugs, or 'D' plugs. They are industry standard and are the same ones which are used by many major televisions and projectors, as well as computers. So, in electronics, the IEC plug is king.

Understand that the wire gauge, which should be written on the outside of every one of the cords, is using American Wire Gauge (AWG). This means that smaller numbers equals thicker wire. So, 14 is thicker than 16. The three most common AWG sizes is 14, 16, and 18. Typical power in your home is run over 14AWG wiring. So, that's a full circuit with a dozen lights or many plugs in your home running off of it. So, rest assured that you aren't really likely to have any issues with any of the power cords which are drawing a fair bit less current on them in your home theater setup.

Yes, the amps will pull the most. This means your B&K amp, not the Nakamichi stuff. The Marantz if you ever hook it up. And, the subwoofer. If you are using the Sunfire, then definitely use the 14AWG on that one as the amp in that sucker is a very good one and may appreciate the extra capacity the heavier wire gauge offers.

Be very aware in this industry that plastic/rubber is cheap, and copper is expensive. A common ploy by many manufacturers is to increase the insulation around a slimmer cable to make it appear thicker than it really is. Neat trick, but still just a trick. It is the AWG rating which is what matters and 12 is thicker than 14 is thicker than 16 is thicker than 18, etc.
 
P

Pik95

Junior Audioholic
I did some wiring in flip houses over the years, and I didn't even put together that the house 14 was the same. I guess wire is wire. Thanks for the clarity.

Lowe's near me has 14 wire in a spool. I'm gonna venture out. I haven't left the bunker much in 45 days. Rhody was locked down pretty early thank god. I have my N95 mask so hopefully, it's not too busy there. I just can't bring myself to use that old ugly green wire, lol. I should have everything finally hooked up today. I'm nervously excited. Thanks again for all the help.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
Just make sure none of those cables have the grounds disconnected. Some manufacturers of power amps that are double insulated come with power cords that do not have the grounds connected, only the live and neutral. This is to prevent ground loops.
 
Paul DS

Paul DS

Full Audioholic
You might find this of interest:

HOW MUCH WATTAGE CAN I PUT ON A LAMP WIRE?
Joseph T. - August 07, 2019 21:19

Commonly Recommended Lamp Wire Capacities:
Nominal 120 Volts AC - 50 ft or Less:
18 AWG- 10 Amps - 1200 Watts
16 AWG - 13 Amps - 1560 Watts
14 AWG - 15 Amps - 1800 Watts

Please Note:
 
P

Pik95

Junior Audioholic
Just make sure none of those cables have the grounds disconnected. Some manufacturers of power amps that are double insulated come with power cords that do not have the grounds connected, only the live and neutral. This is to prevent ground loops.
I did have another similar wire in the box with no ground. I thought that was weird. Are you saying that's probably the amp? My green tint wire qas actually 12 fwiw. I bought new 14 since they didn't have 12. But it's only a ten foot run so I'll be ok on speakers I think. Thanks!
 
Verdinut

Verdinut

Audioholic Spartan
I did have another similar wire in the box with no ground. I thought that was weird. Are you saying that's probably the amp? My green tint wire qas actually 12 fwiw. I bought new 14 since they didn't have 12. But it's only a ten foot run so I'll be ok on speakers I think. Thanks!
If the power cord with no ground pin is clearly marked as 14AWG or even 16AWG, I would think that it's the one which came with the amp.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
I did have another similar wire in the box with no ground. I thought that was weird. Are you saying that's probably the amp? My green tint wire qas actually 12 fwiw. I bought new 14 since they didn't have 12. But it's only a ten foot run so I'll be ok on speakers I think. Thanks!
I can't tell you. You will have to look at your manuals. That is the one you will have to make sure goes with the correct unit. But somewhere you have a unit that is double insulated and the rest not. The nots need the ground. There is one that does not. I can't possibly tell you which.
 
P

Pik95

Junior Audioholic
I can't tell you. You will have to look at your manuals. That is the one you will have to make sure goes with the correct unit. But somewhere you have a unit that is double insulated and the rest not. The nots need the ground. There is one that does not. I can't possibly tell you which.
I actually have the original manuals to everything. I didn't realize the plugs were in there. I'll look, thanks.
 
newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top