Power Cable Problem

[Cayden22]

I live in the US and recently visited Hong Kong and bought parts for my PC as they were cheap. One of the parts I bought was a Corsair cv750 80+ bronze.

 

I came back to the states and built a new PC, but I had completely forgot that the power outlets were different@ The power cable I received with the PSU was for type G outlets (Hong Kong uses type G), but I need one that goes with my type B outlet.

 

What do I do?

[Bombastinator]

9 minutes ago, Cayden22 said:

I live in the US and recently visited Hong Kong and bought parts for my PC as they were cheap. One of the parts I bought was a Corsair cv750 80+ bronze.

 

I came back to the states and built a new PC, but I had completely forgot that the power outlets were different@ The power cable I received with the PSU was for type G outlets (Hong Kong uses type G), but I need one that goes with my type B outlet.

 

What do I do?

2 points:

1. is type g 240 or 110? if it’s 110 you don’t need to change anything, but if it is you’ve got to find the switch on the PSU and flip it (assuming there is one) 

2. the one end is odd but the port on the PSU should be the same.  Maybe hit up a thrift store or something and pick up any old 110v cable for it.  It’s not like they go bad unless they corrode.

[Catzzye]

No worries, it's possible to convert the HK Type G to US Tybe B just by using a converter. Look up your local hardware stores and see if they have it in stock, if not order off of a online retailer.

Good luck!

[seon123]

Just get a replacement C13 cable. No need for an adapter or anything

[mariushm]

The power connector on computer power supplies is standardized.  It's called IEC C13 , so you can just go on Amazon and get a cable.

Ideally get one with AWG18 or thicker (AWG16) wires.

 

Alternatively, there's distributors of electronic components like Digikey, Mouser, Newark/Farnell that sell good cables.

 

Here's for example what's available on Digikey : https://www.digikey.com/short/m4tt4v2f

 

List is sorted by price and took the liberty of limiting to lengths between 3' and 10' (~0.9 meters - 3 meters).

Link shows only cables with second connector IEC-C13 (straight or at an angle), you can filter further to see only US (Nema 5-15) power plug.

[brob]

If you have an old system laying around you probably already have the cable.

 

According to the Corsair specs the AC input voltage range is 100V - 240V. Since it has not external voltage switch it is auto sensing. Just plug it in and go.

 

[Cayden22]

3 hours ago, mariushm said:

The power connector on computer power supplies is standardized.  It's called IEC C13 , so you can just go on Amazon and get a cable.

Ideally get one with AWG18 or thicker (AWG16) wires.

 

Alternatively, there's distributors of electronic components like Digikey, Mouser, Newark/Farnell that sell good cables.

 

Here's for example what's available on Digikey : https://www.digikey.com/short/m4tt4v2f

 

List is sorted by price and took the liberty of limiting to lengths between 3' and 10' (900cm - 3 meters).

Link shows only cables with second connector IEC-C13 (straight or at an angle), you can filter further to see only US (Nema 5-15) power plug.

That sounds great but...

• I've heard that using a different power cable can damage the PC, are you sure I can mix n' match the PSU and cables?
• Would an adapter work as effectively?

[Cayden22]

3 hours ago, brob said:

According to the Corsair specs the AC input voltage range is 100V - 240V. Since it has not external voltage switch it is auto sensing. Just plug it in and go.

 

I'm confused, can you explain in simple (noob-y) terms.

[RollyShed]

6 minutes ago, Cayden22 said:

7 minutes ago, Cayden22 said:

 

> I've heard that using a different power cable can damage the PC, are you sure I can mix n' match the PSU and cables?

 

A lot of rubbish on the net about that by people who don't know anything about electricity.

 

> Would an adapter work as effectively?

 

I've only used them for 40+ years. Adaptors for a variety of countries around the world when we travel.

 

> According to the Corsair specs the AC input voltage range is 100V - 240V

>>I'm confused, can you explain in simple (noob-y) terms.

 

The circuitry is designed to handle a range of voltages. If you don't know anything about electronics, an explanation wouldn't mean anything to you.

 

[mariushm]

The modular cables that come with a power supply should never be used with other power supplies or mixed, because psu manufacturers don't standardize those modular cables ( cables from power supply to motherboard, to video card and so on).

 

The AC cable, between your mains socket and the power supply, IS standardized, the socket on the power supply is standardized, so as long as the cable meets the requirements you're fine.

 

For example, your power supply can output maximum 750 watts to components, so that means it will probably use close to 820-850w to produce those 750 watts (IF you had a computer and components in the computer to consume this much power).

So  with  100v ... 130v from your mains socket , your power supply will take in this worst case scenario 850 watts / 100v = 8.5A of current, so you want a cable that's rated for at least 10A , which is pretty much any cable with AWG18 cables or thicker (AWG16).

 

In reality, your computer probably won't consume more than 400-500 watts, which means the current draw is even smaller.

 

edit: adapters can work, but they often cost as much as a cable. In addition to that, it's just another piece that can fail, and often they're not well made, or miss some features (for example the grounding pin may not be connected or may not exist). It's overall safer to just get a power cable.

[Bombastinator]

1 hour ago, Cayden22 said:

That sounds great but...

• I've heard that using a different power cable can damage the PC, are you sure I can mix n' match the PSU and cables?
• Would an adapter work as effectively?

The cables to the computer are different from the wall ones.  The ones to the computer are not infrequently specific to that model.  You can also theoretically damage with a wall outlet change.  That’s the 110-240 thing.  You don’t want to plug something into 240 that is only built for 110.  Yours apparently isn’t though.  
 

An adaptor would work too.  Might be more expensive though.

[brob]

2 hours ago, Cayden22 said:

I'm confused, can you explain in simple (noob-y) terms.

 

Wall power can be anywhere between 100V and 240V. The PSU will adjust automatically.

[SorryBella]

19 hours ago, Bombastinator said:

but if it is you’ve got to find the switch on the PSU and flip it (assuming there is one) 

If your PSU doesn't have automatic voltage switch, run.

[Bombastinator]

1 hour ago, SorryClaire said:

If your PSU doesn't have automatic voltage switch, run.

Point.  I haven’t seen one on a PSU in some time