Greetings,

I have been doing some research into power cords and adapters that we might need for monitors bought in the US to be able to be used in Europe or Asia.

We sell setups that include a monitor, and then those are shipped globally. The monitor's power brick are rated to be able to handle 100-250V, however some monitors are hardwired or come with a NEMA plug already installed and I wanted a simple one stop solution to handle those rare occasions if possible.

I am thinking of using a cord with a NEMA 5-15 to IEC60320, then to a power strip where the rest of our setup goes.

My main concern is that, from what I understand, the NEMA 5-15 by definition is rated for 120V 15A, but the IEC 60320 is rated for 250V 10A. So the cord has a tag specifying that its only rated for 120V, 15A. Do they go for safety rating the lower voltage? How would that translate to the monitor, would the monitor still see the 250V 10A?

The other 2 options I have found, were get an adapter (funny enough these adapters are rated for up to 250VAC) that can be plugged into the respective receptacle.
Or get a down converter, which is a whole can of worms I rather avoid since I don't know much about.

I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thank you

 

I suggest an actual isolation transformer with appropriate ratios and power rating is the way to go. You will be able to offer the added benefit of also being able to power other computer accessory items.
And an added selling point is that an isolation transformer removes the possible shock hazard.

 

NEMA 5-15 by definition is rated for 120V 15A

The cord is likely rated for at least 250V.
Yes, the monitor will still see 250V if powered from that voltage.
You may need to find a manufacturer for that NEMA 5-15 cord to certify it for that voltage.

 

THAT variable application is why we see 600 volt rated cords. They never provoke any concerns. But there certainly is a potential problem when the application end is the same but the inlet end is made to fit the 220 volt outlets in the UK.
I understand that there are a few switchers that accept either voltage with no problems. And many switcher supplies that do not.

 

The UK has a legal requirement that products fitted with a non-detachable supply cord are fitted with an approved BS 1362 plug. There are a limited number of approved plug converters (for class II products) that effectively encase the European 2 pin plug and turn it into a BS 1362 plug.

As far as I’m aware, there are no approved plug converters from NEMA to BS 1362.

That said, many on-line suppliers get away with importing electrical products supplied with an un-approved adapter to allow connection to a BS 1362 socket.

As a reputable company, the only realistic option (for the UK) is to supply monitors fitted with an appliance inlet and cord set fitted with an approved BS 1362 plug.

 

What are you going to display on the monitor? Is the monitor compatible with the signals from the devices you are planning on using it with?

 

Thank you all for your advice. We've sold some monitors with the extension chord that I have suggested and apparently there have been no issues but I wanted to find a better solution.

@crutschow I peeled off the label and yes the cord is rated for 300V!

Thank you @Hymie I will keep this at the top of my list, although we don't have much business there yet.

@KeithWalker the monitors are wide screen, high resolution nothing too fancy. To be honest this headache can go away if we can get a supplier that can guarantee us the connectors but due to availability, cost or in order to expedite an order we want a solution we can keep in stock.

 

What is the power requirements of the monitor? I would think it will be less than 100Watts so the current rating of your cables will be rather irreverent. The monitor will only draw what it needs.
The travel adapter may be the easiest way to go.

 

If it makes any difference, I certainly prefer monitors with all detachable cords, power and video. They are much simpler to handle and it makes installation easier as well. And also some of those can accept different formats of video.

 

Within the UK and Europe, workplace electrical safety is taken seriously. If you were to supply products that do not meet minimum legal requirements, as a best case scenario you might find your products rejected and possibly refused importation – as a worst case scenario you could find the company prosecuted.