• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Need some experts on power cables..

C

ccsint

Junior Member
When you order a server it often comes with really thick heavy-duty cables. When you order a PC those cables are often thinner. Both seem to be interchangeable and at least from outward appearances you could run the server off the thinner cable with no noticable difference.

The reason I ask is because I'd like to replace a lot of my longer 6 ft+ server cables with shorter ones, but these new short ones are thinner (akin to a desktop PC). Are there any known raminifacations to these shorter cables being used by the newer servers (PE 1850, 2850)?
 
The current draw is low enough on the primary (shore power - 120/240 VAC) side that differences in the wire gauge will not make any differences to the servers. A shorter cord negates any difference even more.

Cheers!
 
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
The current draw is low enough on the primary (shore power - 120/240 VAC) side that differences in the wire gauge will not make any differences to the servers. A shorter cord negates any difference even more.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
It might be the shielding too, some AC power cables are shielded, and some aren't. That may make a minor difference in some applications.
 
Hi, If you are speaking about AC power cables, the thick stiffer ones are shielded and the thinner ones are not. Less IMF interference with the shield. Jim
 
Thanks for the info. The cables that Dell ships with some of their higher end server equipment may be shielded - it's definitely thick enough. From what I hear, if the cable is short in length, then there shouldnt be any ramifications to switching to a nonshielded thin cable, correct?

Thanks again everyone.
 
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Most cables are standard SJ wire which is unshielded. Shielded power cords are a very specialty item - $$$.
Click to expand...

I've seen them at Radio Shack for $10, but RS is generally quite overpriced on parts anyways. I'd guess they probably cost about 1.5-2x of what an unshielded one costs from an electronics distributor.
 
I'm speaking of high quality parts that will have drain wires and the apparatus to terminate them, etc. Think Alpha and Belden wire.

Cheers!
 
The gauge of the wire varies with length to meet UL codes for carrying 15A at the rated voltage (110 ACV). No computer PSU I know of will draw anywhere near that but the power cords still have to be sized to meet code - the same 6' power cord could be used to run a 1500Watt space heater. The shorter the legth of wire the higher current it can carry. Consider the fusible link in a 100A fuse. It has much less metal than a similar length of 18ga. wire.
. And most shielded power cords don't need any special fittings - the drain is connected internally at the ground contacts on each end. The price is much higher but that is largely due to the smaller market for them - not materials costs. Back when the first IBM PC came out, they had a shielded power cord as standard equipment. It also had a nice stacker plug so you could plug and unplug the PC and the monitor at the same time. I had one that I used on my main machine for a loooong time until I lost it during a move... 🙁
.bh.

:moon:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top