Differents between IEC15 and IEC13

[sander]

Hi Caelin or Grant,

I finally purchased a Sigma Digital for my cd-player.

Proud and happy as i am, i wanted to demo the cable at a friends house.
He also was very impressed.

But the cable hang very loose in his player. (a Luxman D-08)
I noticed a difference with his powercord connector.
His was a IEC13 with a very tight grip instead of the IEC15 Shunyata is using.

Is there a reason why Shunyata is using the IEC15 connector?
Was the connector type the reason why it hang so loose?
What's the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?
Should i be worried i got the wrong connector?

Thanks for your time and of course your wonderful powercords.

Sander.

[GrantS]

Hi Sander,

The main difference between a C13 and a C15 connector is the temperature rating. The C15 has a higher rating than the C13. They are physically the same size but the C15 has a notch which allows it to be inserted into a C16 or C14 inlet while a C13 cannot be used in a C16 inlet. The electrical characteristics of the connectors is the same.

The “grip” of the connector usually has nothing to do with the contact pressure of the electrical contacts. Rather, it is related to how thick the plastic molding of the connector is and there is a wide variance in dimensions between connector manufacturers. “Some” C14 inlets are shorter in ingress dimension which can cause C15 connectors to hang farther out. This make it appear that the C15 is not fully engaged into the C14 inlet. However, the internal electrical contacts within the connector make full contact with the C14’s contacts.

Unless the connector easily falls out of the connector there is no comprise to electrical connectivity. Unfortunately, some manufacturers of audio equipment use these inexpensive “short” C14 inlets.

I looked at the Luxman 08 CDP IEC on the web. It's difficult to tell from the 2-D picture, but that IEC looks extraordinarily shallow, which may be part of the issue. One simple remedy for the more shallow IEC's is to place a single layer of electrical tape around the end of the power cord IEC that inserts into the component IEC, being careful not to cover the face (slots) of the IEC on the power cord.

The grip of the CopperConn IEC on the 3 pins in the component is extraordinary. The problem is the frame, or circumference of the component IEC housing combined with a more shallow ingress. The thin layer of tape around the outer edge of the IEC should hold the housing firm to the power cord IEC and prevent any tipping.

Philip O'hanlon, the Luxman importer and I are very good friends. I will mention this to him when we speak again.

I hope this is of some help.

Best regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

[GrantS]

Your comment about the power cords ability to fit had me looking at the IEC of the 08 model. This is a reminder that there is still a lot to learn about the role electrical parts can play in the performance of audio, music and recording systems.

We are seeing more component manufacturers use less expensive, somewhat shallow IEC connectors. The C-13 connectors, similar to a more standard wall outlet, have smaller gauge metals and less contact area than the higher rated C-15's or C-19 (20A) variety.

Some manufacturers may use less expensive, lower-heat rated IEC's on sources or perhaps even pre-amps because the IEC in those applications is seen as a relatively low-current, less critical part. Because many manufacturers try to hit specific price points, the IEC on a low-current device is often seen as a way to save a little on parts.

From our perspective, even a low continuous current rated component like a CDP, draws current in a very high-frequency, dynamic manner because of the way FWBR and Switching supplies draw off the line. Unlike common house-hold appliances, audio electronics draw dynamically off the peak and trough of the sine-wave and are therefore very sensitive to in-line resistance.

Regarding open junctions within the current-path between audio components and the panel, there is no such thing as an insignificant part if the component out-puts an analog signal. Pre-amps, DAC's, CDP's and amps all draw dynamically off the AC line-- 120x per-second. These micro-impulses of current are impeded to one degree or another, depending on the type of junctions they encounter and the specific resistance signature inherent in those junctions.

In simple language, this explains (fundamentally) why there is an entire accessory industry of after-market power cords and expensive outlets. The differences these aftermarket products make are clearly audible, mainly because of improved connectivity. Even on DAC's and pre-amps, power cord gauge has an audible effect and this effect can be explained through measurement.

Improving the efficiency of instantaneous current transfer (minimizing resistance) is foundational to performance for any music or recording system. Improved performance can be obtained by using higher-quality over-rated parts where possible. Whether its a 20A breaker versus 15A, heavier gauge in-wall wiring, heavy-metal gauge wall outlets (precious metal plating is not required) and yes,over-rated IEC inlets, even on a CDP or pre-amp can make a difference.

We term this instantaneous form of current draw Dynamic Transient Current Delivery (DTCD). Caelin designed our own DTCD analyzer to measure this performance aspect of contact metals, wire and junctions--even down to the termination methods. This is the measurement and means we used to build all of our own parts and solid-copper outlets and connectors.

As a simple proof of this theory, try having an electrician tighten the connection at the breaker that serves your audio-system (on average, once every three to five years). These breaker connections can become imperceptibly loose over time due to the panel vibration. After the electrician tightens the connections, go listen to the system again and you will have an epiphany about the critical nature of every junction leading to your electronics system. In terms of the perceived silence, dynamics and timing in sound, the quality of electrical connectivity between an electronics system and the panel is foundational.

We cryogenically treat the C-19 (20A) IEC's in our products for example, because it makes a notable difference. We mentioned this during one of our many conversations with the principles of Audio Research. After evaluating the clearly audible difference, they OEM their C-19 IEC's from us because of the difference that one process made. Never underestimate the importance of a electrical junction whether on a component, at the wall or at the panel. Optimal electrical system performance for music, film and even medical really are the sum of the constituent parts. Simpler, and over-rated parts are superior.

Best regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by GrantS

Your comment about the power cords ability to fit had me looking at the IEC of the 08 model. This is a reminder that there is still a lot to learn about the role electrical parts can play in the performance of audio, music and recording systems.

We are seeing more component manufacturers use less expensive, somewhat shallow IEC connectors. The C-13 connectors, similar to a more standard wall outlet, have smaller gauge metals and less contact area than the higher rated C-15's or C-19 (20A) variety.

Some manufacturers may use less expensive, lower-heat rated IEC's on sources or perhaps even pre-amps because the IEC in those applications is seen as a relatively low-current, less critical part. Because many manufacturers try to hit specific price points, the IEC on a low-current device is often seen as a way to save a little on parts.

From our perspective, even a low continuous current rated component like a CDP, draws current in a very high-frequency, dynamic manner because of the way FWBR and Switching supplies draw off the line. Unlike common house-hold appliances, audio electronics draw dynamically off the peak and trough of the sine-wave and are therefore very sensitive to in-line resistance.

Regarding open junctions within the current-path between audio components and the panel, there is no such thing as an insignificant part if the component out-puts an analog signal. Pre-amps, DAC's, CDP's and amps all draw dynamically off the AC line-- 120x per-second. These micro-impulses of current are impeded to one degree or another, depending on the type of junctions they encounter and the specific resistance signature inherent in those junctions.

In simple language, this explains (fundamentally) why there is an entire accessory industry of after-market power cords and expensive outlets. The differences these aftermarket products make are clearly audible, mainly because of improved connectivity. Even on DAC's and pre-amps, power cord gauge has an audible effect and this effect can be explained through measurement.

Improving the efficiency of instantaneous current transfer (minimizing resistance) is foundational to performance for any music or recording system. Improved performance can be obtained by using higher-quality over-rated parts where possible. Whether its a 20A breaker versus 15A, heavier gauge in-wall wiring, heavy-metal gauge wall outlets (precious metal plating is not required) and yes,over-rated IEC inlets, even on a CDP or pre-amp can make a difference.

We term this instantaneous form of current draw Dynamic Transient Current Delivery (DTCD). Caelin designed our own DTCD analyzer to measure this performance aspect of contact metals, wire and junctions--even down to the termination methods. This is the measurement and means we used to build all of our own parts and solid-copper outlets and connectors.

As a simple proof of this theory, try having an electrician tighten the connection at the breaker that serves your audio-system (on average, once every three to five years). These breaker connections can become imperceptibly loose over time due to the panel vibration. After the electrician tightens the connections, go listen to the system again and you will have an epiphany about the critical nature of every junction leading to your electronics system. In terms of the perceived silence, dynamics and timing in sound, the quality of electrical connectivity between an electronics system and the panel is foundational.

We cryogenically treat the C-19 (20A) IEC's in our products for example, because it makes a notable difference. We mentioned this during one of our many conversations with the principles of Audio Research. After evaluating the clearly audible difference, they OEM their C-19 IEC's from us because of the difference that one process made. Never underestimate the importance of a electrical junction whether on a component, at the wall or at the panel. Optimal electrical system performance for music, film and even medical really are the sum of the constituent parts. Simpler, and over-rated parts are superior.

Best regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome post. Very helpful.

[tdelahanty]

I would prefer no IEC connector and have power cords secured by a terminal strip (screwed down tightly). I've seen "older" Krell class A amps terminated this way.

[John49]

Originally Posted by j3brow

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome post. Very helpful.

Agree.