Buyer's guide · 6-minute read
How to specify a power cord, in nine decisions
A power cord RFQ that answers these nine questions gets a sample right the first time. Leave one out and it comes back as a question — or worse, as a lot.
The nine
Decide these before you send the drawing
- 01
Choose the plug and its standard
Start with the market. For India, plugs are made to IS 1293 — 2-pin or 3-pin, 6 A or 16 A. A 3-pin plug carries a protective earth, which most metal-bodied and heating appliances need. For export, name the destination and its plug standard; the cord is built to that market's conventions.
IS 1293 explained → - 02
Set the number of cores
Two cores (live, neutral) for a 2-pin plug; three (live, neutral, earth) for a 3-pin plug. The earth core is green-and-yellow.
- 03
Size the conductor
Your design team chooses the conductor cross-section in sq mm from the appliance's rated current and the applicable appliance standard. Put the size on the drawing; if something looks undersized for the plug rating, a good supplier will say so before sampling.
What sq mm means → - 04
Name the cable
For Indian appliances, PVC insulated flexible cable to IS 694:2010, with a flexible (fine-stranded) copper conductor. Specify the sheath colour and, if it matters, the core colours.
PVC flexible cables → - 05
Fix the length — and how it is measured
State the length from the plug face (or the grommet end) to the free end, and the tolerance. Most disputes about cord length are disputes about where the tape started.
- 06
Define the free end
Stripped and tinned, crimped terminals and sleeves, a connector, or another plug. Give the strip lengths, terminal part numbers and connector part numbers — or send a sample.
Crimping and terminals → - 07
Decide the marking
The cable legend can carry the maker's brand (REYCORD on Reyansh cords) or yours. Private-label marking needs your written approval of the artwork before anything is printed.
- 08
Ask how it is tested
Ask whether every cord is high-voltage tested or only a sample per lot, and whether continuity is checked. Reyansh HV-tests every power cord before packing.
Quality → - 09
Say how it should arrive
Coil size, tie, polybag, units per carton and carton labelling — written down once, so every lot lands on your line the same way.
The short version
What to send for a quote
- Drawing or sample of the cord
- Plug type and current rating
- Cable size, core count and colour
- Length and free-end termination
- Annual quantity and delivery locations
Questions
Power cord questions, answered
- What should I send to get a power cord quoted?
- A drawing or a sample of the cord, the plug type and current rating, cable size, core count and colour, length and free-end termination, and the annual quantity with delivery locations.
- What is the difference between a 2-pin and a 3-pin power cord?
- A 2-pin cord has two cores, live and neutral. A 3-pin cord adds a third core and pin for the protective earth. In India both plug types are made to IS 1293, in 6 A and 16 A ratings.
- Which standard applies to the cable in a power cord in India?
- Flexible PVC insulated cable is made to IS 694:2010, which covers PVC insulated cables up to and including 450/750 V. The plug is made to IS 1293.
- Can the power cord carry our brand instead of the maker's?
- Yes, if the maker offers private label. Reyansh prints the customer's brand on the cable and packing, only after written approval of the artwork.
- Should every power cord be tested?
- Yes. A high-voltage test on every cord catches insulation faults a lot sample can miss. Reyansh tests every power cord before packing.
Have the nine answers? Send them.
We'll come back with questions or a quote — and samples for your approval before volume.