2. cables
  3. 123529-49158

15A vs. 20A power cord questions

I'm installing dedicated 20A lines with 10AWG cable and Furutech GTX-D 20A wall receptacles. I am currently using the standard IEC power cords that came with my Rogue Cronus Magnum and VPI Scout 1.1. 

I rather not upgrade the power cables at this time. I would like to see the effect the dedicated lines and outlets have first. Are there any issues with running 15A power cords into a 20A outlet and line? Would a 20A power cord possibly sound better or is it just a matter of the blade orientation?
asp307
zephyr24069's avatar
zephyr24069
1,245 posts
 
Absolutely true,..by the same token though, all manufacturers of power cords sold to audiophiles have one version of that power cord and then offer 15amp or 20amp plugs as an option. They don't wire the cord any differently for 15 versus 20 amp applications; they all seem to 'overbuild' a bit for 20amp as a likely outcome.  As pointed out above, there is no difference in the connectors themselves in terms of current handling; my comments above were assuming that people know not to plug a 20amp component into a 15-amp circuit if that component truly draws well above 15 amps 'steady state'; that is how fires start, not due to the connector itself from what a couple of electricians have told me. All that assuming of course that the breaker in the box is faulty and does not trip in the first place...

If I've got any of this wrong, please let me know. I'm working off what a couple of electricians and high-end cable experts have mentioned over the years.
jea48
4,678 posts
 

jea48 said:
" A manufacture can build, and does, a power cord that has an IEC 20 amp female connector on one end and a 5-15P plug on the other end. "

cleeds
Quite so. And, if the device itself draws 15A of current or less, that’s perfectly safe.

No, the equipment shall not draw more than 12 amps FLA continuous load per NEMA, NEC, and UL for a cord and plug where the manufacture wants to use a NEMA 5-15 (15 amp) male plug.

16 amps max for a 20 amp cord and plug if the equipment manufacture wants to use a NEMA 5-20P male plug.

Works great when the equipment comes with a captive held attached power cord.


How about the guy that goes out and buys a big honken Krell amp that has a 20 amp male IEC connector on the back of the unit, a power cord made of #10 wire, conductors, with a 20 amp IEC connector and a NEMA 5-15 (15 amp) male plug on the other end. The user plugs the NEMA 5-15P plug in convenience outlet 15 amp duplex receptacle in the living room, no problem at all. Perfect fit.

The user turns on the amp and trips the breaker in the electrical panel. The user calls the dealer and says, hey there is something wrong with the amp. Every time I try to turn on the amp it trips the breaker at the panel. I tried it at least a half a dozen times. Dealer response: The breaker is probably a 15 amp, just change it out to 20 amp breaker.


Next time you go to a hardware store or Home Depot see if you can find an extension cord with a 5-20R (20 amp) female cord cap on one end and a 5-15P (15 amp) plug on the other end. You won’t find one......


asp307 OP
159 posts
 
@mofimadness @zephyr24069 @jea48 @cleeds 

thanks all, this is now clear to me. Regarding a twisted pair or standard cable to link the breaker to the outlet, any advantages or is it all about the grounding?
gs5556
1,241 posts
 
A 20-amp power cord must have 20-amp rated connectors on both sides along with #12 or larger conductors.

If you have a cord that has #12 or larger conductors (or multiple conductors totaling over 12awg in area)  but 15-amp connectors on either or both sides, it is still a 15-amp cord. Manufacturers usually call that a "high current" or "amplifier" cord but they cannot call it a 20-amp cord.

If your equipment -- like most equipment -- has a 15-amp connector (C-14 receptacle) then you cannot use a listed 20-amp cord because it will not fit.

The power cord will not affect the power consumption or current draw of the amplifier. Your amplifier's fuse will limit the current well below the 80% listed amp threshold for the power cord.
cleeds
6,077 posts
 
gs5556 " ... If your equipment -- like most equipment -- has a 15-amp connector (C-14 receptacle) then you cannot use a listed 20-amp cord because it will not fit."

Not necessarily - see the post from jea48. Some manufacturers use 20A cords on 15A gear - presumably to get a tighter connection from the 20A connector. ARC has done this.
More to discover