Power Cord Comparison
Power Cord Comparison
Power cords are among the most overlooked components of surge protectors, power strips, relocatable power taps, and uninterruptible power supplies. While marketing materials frequently emphasize surge ratings, outlet counts, and protection features, the power cord itself often provides valuable information regarding manufacturing practices, construction quality, safety certifications, and component sourcing.
The OldSurge Archive documents cord type, conductor size, manufacturer markings, approval identifiers, and related construction details whenever possible. Comparing cords across multiple products can reveal long-term trends in the power-protection industry, including changing wire gauges, common third-party cord suppliers, manufacturing locations, and evolving product designs.
Overview
Most power-protection products utilize flexible power cords identified by standardized designations such as:
- SJT
- SJTW
- SVT
These markings provide information regarding conductor count, insulation type, voltage rating, flexibility, and intended service conditions.
The majority of products currently documented by the archive utilize SJT cordage, reflecting its widespread use in consumer and office electrical products throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Common Cord Types
| Cord Type | Meaning | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| SJT | Junior Hard Service Thermoplastic Cord | Surge protectors, power strips, office equipment |
| SJTW | Junior Hard Service Thermoplastic Weather-Resistant Cord | Outdoor-capable products, extension cords |
| SVT | Vacuum Cleaner Cord | Light-duty appliances and consumer products |
Documented Cord Manufacturers
The following manufacturers have been identified through markings visible on products documented by the archive:
- Bon-Eagle
- Apollo
Additional manufacturers will be added as more products are documented.
Conductor Gauge Comparison
| Product | Year | Cord Manufacturer | Cord Type | Conductors | Wire Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tripp Lite SPIKE BAR SK6-6 | ≤ Nov 1989 | Unknown | SJT | 3 | 14 AWG |
| APC SurgeArrest Professional PRO7 (Z94030204087) | 1994 | Bon-Eagle | SJT | 3 | 14 AWG |
| APC SurgeArrest Professional PRO7 (Z96030204796) | 1996 | Bon-Eagle | SJT | 3 | 14 AWG |
| PowerSentry 626 | 2002 | Bon-Eagle | SJT | 3 | 14 AWG |
| Universal 71641 (Yellowed Example) | 2004 | Apollo | SJT | 3 | 16 AWG |
| Universal 71641 (Lightly Yellowed Example) | 2004 | Apollo | SJT | 3 | 16 AWG |
UL and CSA File Numbers
Power cords frequently carry independent UL and CSA approvals in addition to the certifications applied to the finished product.
Examples documented by the archive include:
| Product | UL File Number | CSA File Number |
|---|---|---|
| APC SurgeArrest Professional PRO7 (Z94030204087) | E135710 | LL152727 |
| APC SurgeArrest Professional PRO7 (Z96030204796) | E135710 | LL152727 |
| PowerSentry 626 | E135710 | LL95737 |
| Universal 71641 (Yellowed Example) | E176194 | LL109777 |
| Universal 71641 (Lightly Yellowed Example) | E176194 | LL109777 |
Archive Observations
Early observations suggest that heavier-duty surge protectors frequently utilized SJT 14/3 cord assemblies, while some later consumer-oriented designs utilized SJT 16/3 construction.
Bon-Eagle appears repeatedly among products documented by the archive, including APC and PowerSentry examples manufactured during the 1990s and early 2000s. This illustrates the widespread use of specialized third-party cord suppliers within the power-protection industry.
The archive's APC SurgeArrest Professional PRO7 examples manufactured in 1994 and 1996 both utilize Bon-Eagle SJT 14/3 cord assemblies, providing further evidence of APC's design consistency during the early years of PRO7 production.
Additional documented examples may eventually reveal broader industry trends involving conductor size, cord suppliers, manufacturing locations, and construction quality.
Historical Notes
Power cords are often among the most durable and standardized components incorporated into power-protection products. Because cord markings frequently survive long after packaging and documentation have been discarded, they can provide important clues regarding manufacturing date, supplier relationships, certification history, and product lineage.
Cord manufacturers rarely receive attention in contemporary marketing materials, making surviving markings a useful source of information for reconstructing historical supply chains.