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Why IEC?

addaz

addaz

Well-Known Member
As I approach wiring up my first AC project I'm noticing that many people use IEC inlets for their power needs. I had planned on snipping the end off of a power cord and running it through a hole in an enclosure and using a strain relief to hold it in place. It seems like by the time I get done making a nice burr-free square hole I could have had the whole circuit wired.

Am I missing a major benefit to using IEC?
 
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addaz said:
As I approach wiring up my first AC project I'm noticing that many people use IEC inlets for their power needs. I had planned on snipping the end off of a power cord and running it through a hole in an enclosure and using a strain relief to hold it in place. It seems like by the time I get done making a nice burr-free square hole I could have had the whole circuit wired.

Am I missing a major benefit to using IEC?
Click to expand...

Different strokes fer different folks.Its your project-Do what you wanna do.

I prefer IEC. IMHO it just looks better. Plus....I have a IEC hydraulic punch die.
 
It adds one more connection into the system. Also, you get to spend more money making sure you have audiofool approved connectors.
 
Drilling/punching a 7/8 inch hole may be easier? See PowerCon connectors...plus, they lock in!

Russellc
 
When you are smashed of your ass at 4AM dancing with the ladies and one of them falls into your table of gear and it tips over, the cord will break away rather than rip out circuitry. Just a practical preventative measure really.
 
bobbyonions said:
When you are smashed of your ass at 4AM dancing with the ladies and one of them falls into your table of gear and it tips over, the cord will break away rather than rip out circuitry. Just a practical preventative measure really.
Click to expand...

If I was updating and drilling a hole, I would go with the IEC, as it's really not that much more work.
On the other hand, I wouldn't go to the trouble of replacing installing one on perfectly working gear-in my home gear, that has a really easy life on a shelf-never had a power cord prolem over the last 40 years or so.
I'll avoid the pluses and minus's of different power cords-best left for another thread.
 
I've found that when moving equipment around the IEC makes things much easier. I like to place everything before having to deal with cables.
 
IEC is nice if you like a loose ill fitting connection. I hate it when they come loose.
Aren't you IEC guys supposed to make the argument of a ground connection first, before power?

Another vote for Neutrik PowerCon; twist-snap-lock. A truly solid connection.
Oh yeah - the PowerCon makes the ground connection first.
 
When space is tight, I have used a 3 pin CB radio mic type connector
for the power cord, like this one -

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GL-A280C-1.jpg

PH-61-603B-2.jpg


http://cgi.ebay.com/260573946401
 
I like IEC's because it gives you a choice of cord length. In my current set up the power amp's AC cord is only 2' in length to the socket.
And I can easily change it to any length I need it to be. Besides that, they make things more convenient when moving gear around.
 
I find that IEC's makes life much easier when I take the gear out of my rack for cleaning. Especially since my cables are secured/tie wrapped to the rear of the rack.
 
If using an IEC power entry module, you have the option of having it fused, also. Storage is certainly easier as there is no more cord wrapping and/or getting the cord snagged on something.
 
Thanks for all the great insights into using IEC!

Unfortunately, DigiKey doesn't carry Neutrik products. I also don't posses the necessary tools to work with metal (at least correctly...the enclosure I have is a molded aluminum Hammond chassis; not sheet metal.) While using different cord lengths is a big plus and would to help to eliminate clutter, I think I'll go about it the way I originally intended to with a strain relief- it just seems easier at this point. At the very least I can change it down the road if I see fit.


quadtech said:
When space is tight, I have used a 3 pin CB radio mic type connector
for the power cord,
Click to expand...

I'm using the four pin version (microphone connector) of that exact plug for interfacing the power supply to the preamp!
 
westend said:
If using an IEC power entry module, you have the option of having it fused, also. Storage is certainly easier as there is no more cord wrapping and/or getting the cord snagged on something.
Click to expand...

This is actually the one thing that is keeping me from going through with my current order at DigiKey. I can kill three birds with one stone if I go with a switched and fused entry, but I'm really nervous about mucking up the enclosure with shotty metal working skills.
 
If you have an air compressor, Harbor Freight sells a pneumatic metal nibbler that (supposedly) can cut those square or rectangular openings, something like $30.

I got one a few months ago but haven't had time yet to try it out.
 
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