AC power cords, or alternative current power cords, are the backbone of many appliances and power systems in the home, and for many industrial systems. AC power cords provide the correct amount of power to the appliance from a building's power supply. In order to get the best AC cord for your industry's needs, choose power cords that can handle the proper amount of voltage and a buy quality cord for a long-lasting product.

When buying AC powers cords, check to make sure you have all the information you need to buy the right one before you go shopping. Here are the most important specs to consider when choosing AC power cords:

1. The voltage the AC cord can handle.

2. How long the cord will reach.

3. Whether the AC power cord is approved for your specific application.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose AC power cords from a specialized supplier

Suppliers of AC power cords often specialize in one or two different products. For example, if you need an AC power cord for your guitar amp, you will need to find a power cord supplier that specializes in music equipment. A supplier that provides laptop power cords would not be able to sell you the same product, and therefore it's not likely to be compatible.

I recommend: Sam Ash is a supplier of AC power cords for the music industry. If you need cables that work for a variety of other household appliances, you can check out the selection of products from dCables.

Find AC cords that can handle high voltage

There are many industries that need an AC power cord to handle high voltage situations. Many high powered systems, including power stations, line conditioners, and generators, need to have AC cords that can handle extreme power flow. When choosing an AC cord for this type of application, make sure the voltage matches.

I recommend: JPS Labs and Interpower are two companies that provide AC power cords strong enough for large industrial equipment.

Purchase an AC power cord that can be a replacement for an old cord

Sometimes cords are not as reliable as they should be. When a situations arises where a machine, computer or other appliance has an AC cord that needs replacing, choose a provider that can offer replacement AC power cords for a variety of different machines.

I recommend: NewRemoteControl.com offers AC power cords for a variety of television sets and cable boxes. Belkin offers AC cords for computers and disk drives, to get power to your desktop and laptop computers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choose an alternative current power cord supplier that can provide you with the power you need. If you buy an AC cord that cannot handle the type of power you want to move through it, you'll end up damaging the cord and possibly damaging your equipment in the process.