Save Space with Angled Power Cords
Navigating tight spaces and angles with a standard power cord is tricky. Awkward angles also make it difficult to get a secure connection without bending or damaging the plug. The good thing is there’s a simple solution to these challenges.
Angled power cords have a 90-degree angle that sits in one of four directions: up, down, left, or right. The angled design takes up less space than standard connectors and allows cables to lay flush with the back of a device. Power cords with angles come in a variety of designs. Some have an angled connector and standard plug, where others feature both an angled connector and plug. Pin and slot styles also range depending on the type of NEMA or IEC angled power cord you select.
Powering Your Electronics with Space-Saving Angled Power Cords
Computers, printers, and other electronics often use power cords with angles to make it easier to route the cords through tight corners and spaces. Angled power cords also eliminate stress placed on the power cord conductors and the strain relief. Space-saving angled power cords provide substantial value when equipment is positioned in atypical ways, such as behind home/office furniture or anywhere with limited clearance.
North American angled power cords have either NEMA to NEMA or NEMA to IEC connectors. There are also locking NEMA angled power cords designed to prevent accidental unplugging.
Understanding the Different Configurations of Power Cords with Angles
The first and most important thing to understand is that angled power cords are distinguished based on two factors: the location of the ground pin, and the direction the cord is trailing from the vantage point when connected to a power source. It’s also important to note that the angle is based on when the plug or connector is plugged into a power source or equipment, not when facing the cord itself.
Both NEMA and IEC cords have a specific way of determining how the power cord angles are named based on cord direction. We break out the various angles below and group them by IEC and NEMA plug and connector types to help you understand available options.
North American Angled Power Cords
These power cords use NEMA configurations. The most common type of angled power cord features a NEMA 5-15P plug, which is used to power most household items. As a point of reference, angles are based on when the NEMA power cord ground pin is facing down (or 6 o’clock position). The angles are determined by the position of the power cord when plugged into a power source or socket.
Example: If, when looking at a wall outlet, the power equipment is plugged in with the ground pin down and the wire is trailing toward the left, it is a left-angle plug. If the cord is trailing right, it is a right-angle plug. The same logic applies to up and down angles. Below is a diagram for all four NEMA 5-15P angled power cords.
| ANGLE | NEMA 5-15P |
| UP |  |
| DOWN |  |
| LEFT |  |
| RIGHT |  |
IEC Angled Power Cords
IEC power cords with angles have a slightly different configuration. Here, we’ll discuss cords with the IEC-60320-C13 connector. When looking at a power cord plugged into equipment and after locating the ground pin faced as an up position, if we see the cable trailing to the left side, then the power cord is featuring a left-angle connector. If the cable is trailing to the right, then it is a right-angle connector. Up and down IEC cords are determined by the ground pin facing up (or 12 o’clock). Refer to the C-13 angled chart below:
| ANGLE | IEC |
| UP |  |
| DOWN |  |
| LEFT |  |
| RIGHT |  |
Use the charts above as a guide for finding the correct angled power cords for your application. If you need help, the team at Quail is here to walk you through the selection process. Call us during business hours, or send us a message and we’ll get back to you right away.