Nema vs IEC Cords: Did you know this?

1. NEMA vs IEC Cords: Did you  know this?          Two different standards. Used for different purposes. So                 similar yet so different!    NEMA and IEC are two known names when it comes to power                         cords and related stuff. But from an end user’s point of view, it                           is important to know the actual difference between these two.    Read along to understand their major differences and find out                     which one is the best fit for your application.  IEC Standard Power Cord  International   Electrotechnical   Commission   (​IEC​)   is   a   non-profit, non-governmental international organization. It           1​​

2. develops   and   publishes   international   standards   for   all   electrical, electronic and other related technology. It started                 in 1906 and has developed some well-known units of measure                     like Hertz and Gauss.    Today it works with the ​International Organization for Standardization (​ISO​)     Telecommunication Union (​ITU​) to define global standards for                       ​International and   the               over 40 sub-categories of electrical components.    Some Highlights of​​IEC Power Cord​:  ● Cost-effective  ● Compact  ● Reacts quickly to overloads  ● Inherently finger-safe  NEMA Power Cord  The ​National Electrical Manufacturers Association (​NEMA​) is the largest trade association       manufacturers in the United States. ​Founded in 1926​, NEMA asked all the manufacturers to utilizes a standard frame size                         of   electrical     equipment                               2​

3. for   their   electrical   components.   This   standardizes   the   components from different manufacturers and also gives them                 guidelines to develop the components with safety factors over                   and above their design ratings.    Some Highlights of​​NEMA Power Cord​:  ● Good for enduring short circuits  ● Suitable for a broad range of applications  The Difference  Usage:  ● NEMA​: North Americans primarily use this standard and  the people doing businesses hugely with North America.  These are the general benchmark for technical  requirements.  ● IEC​: This standard applies to multiple countries. They are  the general benchmark for technical requirements  globally.        3​

4. The Selection:  ● NEMA​: It is easy to select. Know your horsepower and  voltage and you will find your cord.  ● IEC​: You will need more details for the selection process.  Like Motor load, duty cycle, and full load current.    The Production:  ● NEMA​: Its product design focuses mainly on the ability to  use the products in a wide range of applications. Most  people who use this standard have general requirements.  ● IEC​: These products are generally smaller and less  expensive. They require more details and well-defined  operating conditions.  ● NEMA​: Most of the NEMA products come fully assembled.  But you can customize some of the products like  interchangeable thermal units.  ● IEC​: With IEC products, these starters come as separate  components. It comes with a contractor, an auxiliary  block, and an overload relay block.      4​

5. The Security:  ● NEMA​: These devices can withstand short circuits with  built-in reserve capacity.  ● IEC​: IEC starters include single-phase detection with  faster reaction to overload conditions.  ● NEMA​: As NEMA starters have an open design, they  require safety covers.  ● IEC​: IEC contactors and starters are finger-safe.    The Takeaway:    The main difference between IEC and NEMA is that NEMA by                       design may save up to 25% service while IEC is more about                         space and cost savings. For example, AC-1 handles purely                   resistive loads or slightly inductive loads like a heater. Another                     utilization category AC-3 is for regular starting and stopping                   of squirrel cage size motor. AC-4 is similar to AC-3. But it                         includes inching and plugging.      5​

6. Common Misunderstandings  Considering both the siders, NEMA looks larger than the IEC                     starter. But in reality, it is slightly oversized in design. Often                       the wrong IEC classification for any application can be utilized.                     Overall when you decide between IEC or NEMA, make sure                     you keep in mind your requirements, the specialization, and                   your budget. If you are looking for easy-to-select, long-lasting                   products then NEMA can be a perfect choice. On the other                       side, if you have specialized needs, you can go with IEC                       products. But most importantly, if you are in North America,                     you’ll likely be able to source ​NEMA products with more ease. And IEC in European parts.                          There are instances when each classification has its own                   merits. IEC is less expensive and smaller but it has well defined                         operating conditions. When it comes to devices whose load is                     not well defined, NEMA devices would be the best choice.                     Overall it is not as simple as we often make them. It is also not                               about which one is more robust and effective. But it is all                         about   understanding your requirements and differences           6​

7. between the two systems and selecting the one which is                     proper for the job.    Confused between NEMA & IEC power cords​? No more.                   Here’s everything you need to know about them to make an                       informed decision.      If you found these blog useful, here are some other blog                       posts that may be of interest.    NEMA Power Cords Vs. IEC Power Cords- Difference Revealed!  All You Need to Know About Power Cord Connectors  Learn Why NEMA Power Cords are Here to Stay  Everything You Need to Know About Nema Power Cords  Most Important Types of Power Cords  Everything You Should Know About Power Cords [Infographic]  7​