When IT managers are planning a new server room, or an already existing system, they consider processing power, storage, network bandwidth, and cooling. They plan on premium servers, LAN switches and redundant internet links. However, very few people make power cords an agenda.
It is an error and this is more expensive to the businesses than they can imagine.
The initial and the final connection in all the equipment you possess is the power cord. However nice your server is, it is of no use to the server itself whether the cord that feeds it is of the wrong size, causes other connectors to fit improperly, or carries more load than it is designed. The correct computer power cable is not merely an adornment, but a pillar.
The Silent Secret with a Dangerous Payback.
Most small and mid-size business server rooms will contain a tangle of every sort of mismatched cords that was pulled out of the old printers, desktop computers, and anything that was in the box with devices several years ago. IT teams rarely ask them any questions. The host is up, all the lights are on, everything is alright.
This is what is really happening.
A power cord that is under-sized and has to be slightly below its amperage capacity produces heat. Slowly accumulating heat damages the insulation and in months results in a real fire hazard or equipment breakdown. A cord having the incorrect connector can fit physically and may sustain a loosely fitting connector during vibration, thermal expansion, resulting in intermittent faults that would be difficult to troubleshoot.
They are not edge cases. They are typical issues in the fields where power cable management was not a serious matter. The threat is gradual, unseen, and avertable.
Knowing the Type of Power Cord to use with IT Equipment.
Part of why power cords are become overlooked is that, most people do not comprehend the naming. After you do so, it is easy.
Connectors on server power cords and the network equipment power cables are in compliance with IEC 60320 standard. The most prevalent ones within IT settings are:
IEC C13
The three pronged connector used on most desktop computers, monitors, routers and switches. The general IT equipment is compatible with most products, and the standard IEC C13 power cord is up to 10 amps.
IEC C15
Physically identical to the C13, but with higher temperature. It is the right option with equipment that is hot such as some networking equipment. The need to use a C13 instead of C15 power cord is an inconspicuous yet grave mistake.
IEC C19
This is a heavy-duty connector with a maximum 16 amp current capacity and is typically used with larger equipment that has a higher rate such as larger UPS units, high density servers, and PDU power cords in enterprise racks.
NEMA 5-15
The typical American three prong plug. NEMA 5-15 power cords are safe enough to be used by the desktop equipment and light IT installations, however, it is not suitable to use them in rack-mount servers that carry constant loads.
Twist-lock connectors Locking power cords
These are available when unintentional disconnection is a potential problem. A locking power cord can be used in a busy server rack to avoid an outage due to an event such as bumping a rack.
Knowing the type of power cord is all about selecting the correct cord to the correct job like you would do with a network cable to the correct port.
Why Data Center Power Cords are Worth the Gravity?
Power is all in a data center or a server room. Even one unplanned outage may consist of lost revenue, ruined data, and broken service contracts. Most organizations spend a lot of money buying UPS systems and redundancy in power paths and then tie all of that costly equipment to the cord that was included in the equipment box.
The power cords used in data centers should comply with certain requirements. They must be rated to at least the rated amperage of the equipment they are used with, including some margin. Where possible they are supposed to use locking connectors. The cord length must also be kept under control to avoid unnecessary resistance and cable clutter, but be short, to avoid connector strain.
Professional installations often use color-coded rack mount power cords in order to differentiate between primary power and redundant power paths. This helps in troubleshooting quickly and less human error in cases of maintenance windows. It is a small thing which really counts in case something goes wrong at 2AM.
Another unnoticed specification is power cord amperage rating. There is an upper limit to the current in each cord. Operating the cord with constant power of 100 or more is potentially hazardous since it reduces its life and produces hot heat. The rule of thumb is to maintain a constant load less than 80 percent of the rated cord capacity.
BuyRightFirst.
Computer power cable market is saturated with low quality cables, unrated cables, or falsely rated cables. This is one of the types in which price is one of the truly bad ideas to purchase. On a consumer laptop, it is annoying when a cord fails. Failure of a production server cord is a critical problem to business.
In the sourcing of power cords to IT infrastructure, consider:
● Clearly marked amperage and voltage ratings of the product.
● UL listing or other safety certification.
● Proper connector types that are appropriate with your equipment.
● Proper wire gauge [length and load]
● Business options Shopping in bulk power cords in case you are furnishing a complete rack or racks.
In the case of teams that bulk buy server room power cables, it is logical to work with a special supplier. You also have uniform quality, checked specifications, and the precise IEC 320 power cord combinations that are needed by your equipment instead of piecing together what a general retailer has on hand.
The Takeaway
Power cables of the IT infrastructure are not glamorous. They do not appear in vendor demonstrations or get into budget discussions. And yet, they are the electrical linkage of your equipment with the electrical supply necessary to work.
To get them right, your knowledge must cover the NEMA standards of power cords, the types of IEC connector to use, the amperage ratings on your power cords and to find a supplier that has a clue what they are selling.
The good news is that this will not be costly or complex to fix this piece of your infrastructure. An entire rack can be fully cabled at a small fraction of the cost of one server. It only takes the resolve that it matters until it goes wrong.
Editor at Grapfacts
Anna Wilson, a Digital Marketing Expert and editor at Graspfacts, specializes in Digital Marketing and Google Adwords. I love to write on technology topics and share my expertise with large audience.
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