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[Bob Faulkner]

Looks like the size limit on power cable is 14ga. for power-con connectors.  The Neutrik connectors (NAC3FCA) show they are rated at 20a at 295 volts.  With these size attributes, it appears I may not be able to build specific power cords for the active cabinets (i.e. ~80' in length).  I use 4' 14ga power-con power-cords now, but would like to build some power-con power-cords specific for the active cabinets, so that I don't have to utilize a 10ga SOOW cord when it may not be needed.

Anyone using long (relatively speaking) 14ga power-con power-cords? 

[Steve Litcher]

Hmm. We've built at least 30 (maybe 40) SJOOW and SOOW cables with 12/3 and haven't had any issues/challenges. You just have to back-out the terminal screws a bit, and cable should slide right in. I'd try using some decent 12/3 - you should be able to make it fit without too much hassle.

[Mike Pyle]

I have many 12g powercon cords.

edit - Mine have all been SJ, I have not tried to stuff 12g SO through the collet.

[Luke Geis]

You can fit 12/3 sjoow into your standard NAC3--- connectors. It is a relatively tight fit that does not leave much margin for error on getting the wires into the holes, but it can be done. The wire pincers even fit perfectly on a 12/3 sjoow cable. The connector is rated for 20 amps and 12/3 is rated for 20 amps. 14ga. is rated for 15 amps. Those are the rating the UL listing gives anyway.

[TJ (Tom) Cornish]

You can fit 12/3 sjoow into your standard NAC3--- connectors.

Agreed; even 12/3 SOOW fits in the blue/white Powercons.  I understand, however, that the True1 connectors are different and won't take 12/3 SOOW.

[Bob Faulkner]

Thanks.

Yes, I wanted to stick with 12ga. SOOW (to make the cord interchangeable with the rest of the SOOW cord); did not want to have various cords around all serving (basically) the same function.

Sounds good.  I'll try SJOOW with them.

Thanks for the "True1" info.

[Mark Cadwallader]

I have built two dozen or so powerCon cords using Southwire 12/3 SOOW. It is a tight fit, but it works. Be sure you use a real Pozi-drive screwdriver (or insert bit) for the terminal screws. Phillips and JIS tips don't cut it.

[Nils Erickson]

I have tons of 12/3 SOOW powercon cables; as all others have said, it is a tight fit but works fine. 

One tip I have not seen mentioned is this- when you screw in the terminal screws, be careful not to over tighten.  I have broken several connectors doing this, and it is relatively easy to do.

One more tip- if you remove slightly more of the jacket than is listed on the installation diagram (maybe ~1/8" extra), you will be able to assemble this much easier with 12/3 SOOW.  Use the larger cable grip inside the connector of course (sorry, don't know the technical name for that piece)...

Of course, 12/3 SJ goes together VERY easily if you can use that kind of jacket...

I don't really like to have 14GA cable in my inventory, because I don't like to worry about someone trying to make it do something it won't on a 20 Amp circuit.

Cheers,
Nils

[Mike Pyle]

... when you screw in the terminal screws, be careful not to over tighten.  I have broken several connectors doing this, and it is relatively easy to do.

I always have a panel mount male connector handy when I am assembling powercon cords. I have found that latching the line connector into the panel mount supports the connection contact pins and allows one to make the screws tighter without damage.

[Nils Erickson]

I always have a panel mount male connector handy when I am assembling powercon cords. I have found that latching the line connector into the panel mount supports the connection contact pins and allows one to make the screws tighter without damage.

That is a good tip, Mike, thanks.  I suppose one could do that with one of the couplers fairly easily as well.

Nils

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