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What makes a 20A IEC rated for 20 amps?

What makes a 20A IEC rated for 20 amps?
I now the blades go in a different direction but are the blades thicker to carry more current?
I ask this because I have a component that I am demoing that has a 20A IEC on the back. I have some pretty pricey power cords available with 15A Furutech NCF fittings. A 20A Furutech replacement 20A IEC connector sell for almost $300! Or I could always use a 20-15A IEC adapter. But that would add a (cheapo) connection.

So how about if I just change the IEC in the unit to a 15A Furutech NCF about $80. Hence the question.

ozzy
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Showing 2 responses by folkfreak

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,149 posts
 
20A IEC are used to enable a more secure and reliable connection to the component. They do not need to be used with 20A rated plugs (which as you observe have different blade orientation). Any power cord manufacturer can supply a power cord terminated IEC C-19 (20A) with a normal wall plug.

Use of adapters is fine (I have a nice Voodoo one that is very reasonable price and as far as I can tell doesn't harm performance http://voodoocable.net/product/15-amp-to-20-amp-iec-adapter/ but don't go changing the IEC inside the component -- that's just making it a oddball chimera and harming resale
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,149 posts
 
Ozzy. 99 times out of 100 manufacturers put 20A IEC on their piece for looks, or in belief of a better connection. Few items will ever pull more than 15A and if they do you need a 20A circuit all the way to the breaker

ARC for example use 20A IEC on all of their Ref pre amps but they are all low current draw.  So in this case you could buy an AQ Dragon power cord source version, which is only 16AWG but can be supplied with 20A IEC for use with such a pre amp.
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