Power cord 15amp and 20amp


Can somebody explain the differences between the two. Can you use either one--are they interchangable? I have 15 amp cords now, why would I need or want 20amp. Thanks in advance for your help in this matter.

Bill
itsalldark
In most household circuits, 15A is the maximum current usually available in the circuit. Your audio equipment won't draw that much current, so there won't be a difference between a 15A cord and a 20A cord as far as audio equipment goes.

An example of where a 20A circuit/cord would be necessary are some of the cheaper Arc Welders, which use 115V, but 20Amps due to the fact that they are very high current devices.

The only Possible difference for stereo equipment is the fact that 20A cords are thicker than 15A Cords, and therefore MIGHT sound better. But I doubt you will hear a difference.

A better choice would be to replace (if interested) your stock power cords with, say, some of the power cords sold here on Audiogon that while still 15A rated, are made of better materials than the cheap cords that come with the equipment. This may or may not make a sonic difference. YMMV.
The 15 amp cord will have a NEMA 5-15P plug on one end and a IEC 15 amp receptacle on the other end.
The nema 5-15P plug will plug into a 15 or 20 receptacle. The 15 amp IEC receptacle will only plug into a 15 amp IEC plug on a piece of equipment. The wire in the cord usually is 14 awg.

The 20 amp cord will have a NEMA 5-20P plug on one end and a 20 amp IEC receptacle on the other end. The awg wire size will be #12.
The NEMA 5-20P plug will only plug into a 20 amp receptacle (5-20R).
(The Neutral blade is at a right angle to the Hot blade of the plug)
The IEC connector on the other end will be a 20 amp receptacle and will only plug into a 20 amp IEC plug on the equipment.

Below is a link for picture purposes only. Check out picture numbers 4, 5, and 6
http://www.jenatek.com/pages/powercords.html