ideas for connecting to an IEC C16 inlet? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 07:35:53 pm
content: I got an old Xbox360 power supply for $1. It's rated at 12V @ 16.5A, and there are a bunch of videos on youtube showing how to repurpose it, e.g.Unfortunately it uses an C16 inlet which has a raised ridge preventing you from using the more commonly available C13 power cords.I don't have any C15 cords, and at this point I just want to test if the power supply is any good. Any ideas of how I might go about connecting to the C16 inlet? Are there any push-on connectors I could use? It would just be temporary and for testing purposes.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 07:38:20 pm
content: I use alligator clips on a power cord for that sort of thing. You could also simply file off that ridge, or cut a ridge into a power cord to fit it. Or open the thing up and solder wires to the PCB, or use some solid core wires and twist them around something then slide the coil onto the pins. Lots of ways to do it.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 08:09:53 pm
content: Seriously???QuoteIn the UK, C16 (ie. Hot condition) connectors are used on electric kettles and similar - I don't know what you use in the US? Worth checking in the kitchen.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 08:14:50 pm
content: They may exist over here but I've never seen a connector like that on a kitchen appliance. Electric kettles in general are quite rare, I don't think I know anyone who has one. Typically we use a kettle on the stove or heat an individual cup in the microwave.

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 08:35:44 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on January 29, 2018, 07:38:20 pmAnd your still alive!! Woww but please dont encourage other people to take ridiculious risks especially in a beginners section

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 08:37:45 pm
content: Sorry I didn't notice it was the beginners section. That said, I've been doing it for many years and I know many others use the same technique. It goes without saying that one should be careful, obviously the death cord is only used for bench testing and not any kind of permanent setup. You clip it on, plug it in, test that whatever you are powering works then unplug it and put the cord away. It's not *that* dangerous.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 08:38:19 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on January 29, 2018, 08:14:50 pmNow I ask you, is that any way for civilized people to behave?![EDIT: Well I hope that's for coffee at least and not tea!]@ledtester:You really ought to make some reasonable attempt at safety. Do you have any heatshrink sleeving (or other close fitting sleeving come to that). If so, use that to hold the cores firmly to the pins and insulate them. Clamp the mains lead to the bench so that it can't pull away. Alternatively modify one or other connector as james_s suggests.

author: djacobow
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 09:12:41 pm
content: Use a razor blade to cut out the notch?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 09:38:19 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on January 29, 2018, 08:38:19 pmLots of people make tea in a microwave, at least the stuff that passes as tea here. Tea isn't nearly as widespread as it is in the UK, I'd never had it before until I visited there and nearly everywhere I went someone was offering me tea. It was actually decent stuff, drinking tea just sort of seemed like the proper thing to do over there.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 10:07:23 pm
content: Take your IEC 13 cord and a knife. The rest should be obvious.The only difference between IEC 13 and 15 is the temperature rating. And the extra notch.mod: Or a drill. Or a rotary tool.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2018, 10:26:51 pm
content: it actually wasn't too hard to cut out a notch:

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 01:11:11 am
content: As long as you have only removed the minimum amount of material to create that notch - and that you have not encountered ANY metal, then that cable should serve you well.However, since the plug was not manufactured that way, it would be wise to treat it with suspicion whenever you used it ... and, of course, handle it with care.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 01:20:05 am
content: Good point.The metal parts of the plug seem to be encased in the white plastic which is surrounded by the black rubbery insulation.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 01:22:24 am
content: Quote from: james_s on January 29, 2018, 08:37:45 pmI strongly urge you to become VERY aware of that in future.Many of us will have solutions for dealing with temporary mains connections, but we will also have an understanding of the shortcomings and limitations of those solutions that is translated into a respect for the potential to do harm. We have this ingrained through experience, observation, education or just thinking about what could go wrong.Beginners are much less likely to be as risk aware.Quote from: james_s on January 29, 2018, 09:38:19 pmThat is a troubling mental image....