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Interpower Corporation P.O. Box 115 100 Interpower Avenue Oskaloosa, IA 52577 (USA)
Copyright 2009.
All Rights Reserved
Interpower Corporation P.O. Box 115 100 Interpower Avenue Oskaloosa, IA 52577 (USA)
Copyright 2009.
All Rights Reserved
Interpower Connections, September 2009 edition, looks specifically at how the use of Accessory Power can allow the same components to be used in global applications, rather than having to choose a number of cables with plug configurations to suit the country where the equipment may be shipped. Interpower Corporation is also offering you a chance to request a copy of our popular IEC 60320 Coupler Sheet wall-chart, download the guide as a PDF, or use it online. Should you have a question that our Tool-box has yet to answer, please go to the Designer's Guide pages of www.interpower.com.
The use of Accessory Power Distribution gives the product designer the ability to simplify power supply connections for electrical equipment, accessories and sub-systems. There are three main advantages for specifying Accessory Power connections;
The use of country-specific plugs and outlets are not needed for accessory power connections. For example, let’s say that your machine has peripheral equipment and could be sold for use in either North America, Britain or Switzerland. By using accessory power this reduces the need to hold a significant inventory of North American, British and Swiss power cords to power each piece of equipment. Though a country-specific cord is still required to power the main system, using accessory power negates the need to connect each piece of peripheral equipment to the mains.
The IEC 60320-2-2 component family makes it possible to power accessories through the main appliance, giving greater control to the system user and making it easy for the designer.
The IEC 60320-2-2 system is generally accepted for use throughout the world, meaning the same system can be used in North America as in Europe or further afield.
How to create your Accessory Power System
The basic building blocks in an accessory power distribution system constructed with IEC 60320-2-2 components include an outlet, a power cord with a plug-connector, or a cordset with a molded plug-connector on one end and a connector on the other.
The most commonly used accessory power system is rated for use at 10A internationally and 15A in North America. However, a second system is provided in the IEC standards with current ratings of 16A internationally and 20A in North America. See chart above for the outline drawings with the proper IEC references (see the IEC 
60320 Coupler Sheet for more details).
With these connections in mind, the use of an Accessory Power Strip, (APS), will allow a number of pieces of equipment to work off of this unit, powered from the mains. The APS will have a C14 inlet, allowing it to be connected to the mains through a cordset that has the correct country-specific plug at one end and is finished with the mating C13 connector. The APS would also have a number of sheet F outlets. The peripheral equipment that you would wish to run through your Accessory Power system would then connect into one of the sheet F outlets through the use of a Universal Jumper Cordset. These cordsets are made with universal cable and have a male Sheet E plug connector at one end and a C13 female connector at the other. Jumper cordsets typically are available in a number of standard lengths, and can be requested at a variety of custom lengths. A Sheet E powercord can also be used if the connection to the peripheral is to be hard-wired.
If there is enough panel-space in your equipment, a cost-effective solution is the use of an Accessory Power Module. This part will snap directly into the panel cut-out and has four sheet F outlets, allowing for up to four pieces of peripheral equipment to be powered. The connection into the unit is not through a C14 inlet and a cordset, but instead is wired into the primary piece of equipment through a combination of quick disconnects and solder tabs.
For more information on Accessory Power, please visit www.interpower.com and under the “Product Lines” section, click on Accessory Power.
Interpower Corporation is your One-Stop Shop for all Accessory Power ComponentsInterpower Corporation can offer all of the necessary components for your Accessory Power system, from one location. Accessory Power Strips, universal jumper cordsets, IEC inlets, outlets and connectors, as well as Accessory power-entry modules are all among our most popular product lines. By choosing Interpower as your supplier of Accessory Power components, you can source the parts that you require from a single supplier and have them delivered together, making it easy for you.
Interpower Corporation houses over 4 million components in their warehouse so their customers don't have to! As always Interpower offers no minimum order requirements, and specification sheets, pricing and on line ordering are available at www.interpower.com.
Same day shipments are available for stock item orders received by 6:00 p.m. CST. For ordering and technical information about Interpower Corporation’s full line of Accessory Power Components, please contact our Customer Service Department at 800/662-2290 or order online at www.interpower.com.
The IEC 60320 AC power inlet is the most commonly used means of connecting a detachable cordset to electrical or electronic equipment that consumes up to 16A/250V at operating temperatures up to 120°C. The devices in IEC 60320 standard sheets C13, C14, C15, C16, C19 and C20 are the most commonly specified standards. Interpower Corporation is offering the IEC 60320 Coupler sheet so you have easy access to what each of these Appliance and Interconnection Couplers looks like. Just click here (http://www.interpower.com/ic/IEC_coupler_sheet.asp) to view this free coupler page, download a PDF, or request a hard copy by emailing connections@interpower.com with the subject line: GUIDE.