Select the Best Power Cord Jacket for Your Needs

What you need to know to ensure your final product is durable, reliable and operates both safely and efficiently.

The jacket is a vital component of a power cord. It protects the power cord’s inner conductors from external factors, such as harsh temperatures or environmental conditions. The jacket also ensures a power cord’s electric current does not come in contact with users—and also keeps the current separate from other electrical conductors, like metal surfaces.

A power cord jacket plays a crucial role in the durability, reliability, safety and efficiency of the product. So, when designing a power cord, it is important to select the right jacket type for your application.

In order to choose the best power cord jacket material for your needs, consider the following factors:

• Voltage: Determine the amount of voltage the cord will experience. At Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable, we offer power cords rated to 300 V and 600 V. Power cords rated to 300 V are typically used for light-duty, commercial applications, while cords rated to 600 V are suited for industrial, heavy-duty applications.
• Environment: Where a power cord will be used will help to determine the best jacket type.A power cord being used outside or in an application where it will be exposed to caustic chemicals will require a more protective jacket material versus a cord simply being used in a dry, indoor environment.
• Temperature: Temperature of the environment in which your product will be used is another important consideration. The type of power cord jacket to be used in an application must take into consideration the range in temperature it will experience. Extreme cold can cause a power cord jacket to crack while extreme heat can cause expansion, loosening, bubbling, or even melting.
• Flexibility: Power cords that will experience a lot of movement and frequently transported will require a flexible jacket to avoid cracks or breaks in the insulation.

There are a number of other areas to consider when choosing the best jacket type for your power cord. To learn more about selecting the right jacket material for your needs, simply click here or select the button below to download our new eBook, Power Cords Volume 1: Jackets.