StarTech PXT101_10 10ft 18AWG NEMA 5-15P to IEC C13 Computer Power Cord

Overview

The StarTech PXT101_10 is a 10-foot (3-meter) replacement and extension power cord designed for computers, monitors, NVRs, PoE switches, and other rack or desktop equipment that uses a standard IEC 60320 C13 inlet. At 18 AWG and rated for 125V/10A, it handles the power demands of typical IT and security infrastructure without becoming a point of failure in a carefully wired rack or equipment cabinet. If you have ever found yourself short a power cord during a rack build — or working around a cord that barely reaches the PDU — the 10-foot length resolves that without forcing you into unmanageable slack.

The PXT101_10 ships in black, which keeps it visually consistent in professional equipment rooms and blends naturally with most rack-mounted gear. The 0.25-inch (6.3mm) outer diameter keeps it manageable in dense cable runs without the stiffness that makes larger-gauge cords difficult to route cleanly.

Key Features

• 10-Foot (3-Meter) Length: Gives you enough reach from a wall outlet or PDU to equipment mounted anywhere within a standard rack column or on a nearby shelf — without needing a short extension or repositioning your PDU. Most 6-foot cords fall short on floor-to-rack runs; this one does not.
• 18 AWG Wire Gauge: Rated to carry 10A at 125V — sufficient for desktop computers, NVR appliances, managed PoE switches, monitors, and similar loads. This gauge is the correct match for C13-terminated devices in the sub-10A range; going lighter (e.g., 20 AWG) on a loaded circuit is a maintenance liability.
• NEMA 5-15P to IEC 60320 C13 Connectors: The NEMA 5-15P plug fits any standard 15A North American wall outlet or PDU receptacle. The IEC C13 connector mates with the overwhelming majority of rack-mount and desktop IT equipment — NVRs, servers, switches, monitors, and UPS units all commonly use this inlet. No adapters needed.
• 125V / 10A Rating: Sized for standard North American branch circuits. If you are powering equipment on a 20A circuit, verify the device draw stays within the cord's 10A limit — do not run a high-draw UPS or power distribution unit directly off this cord at full load.
• UL Listed: Third-party safety listing from Underwriters Laboratories means this cord has been tested to national electrical safety standards. Required by many enterprise procurement policies and AHJ inspections — not just a nice-to-have on a finished installation.
• VW-1 Fire Rating: The VW-1 (Vertical Wire-1) flame rating indicates the cable jacket resists flame propagation in vertical routing — relevant any time you are running cords inside an enclosed cabinet or through vertical cable managers where a burning cord could accelerate a fire upward through a rack.
• Operating Temperature Range 37°F to 140°F (3°C to 60°C): Covers standard indoor equipment room and data center environments. The upper limit of 60°C aligns well with interior cabinet temperatures in properly ventilated racks. Do not use in uncontrolled outdoor or extreme cold environments.
• 0.25-Inch (6.3mm) Outer Diameter: Slim enough to route alongside other cords in a bundle without adding significant bulk, which matters in high-density cable management trays where every millimeter of clearance affects airflow and future serviceability.
• 7.6 oz (216g) Weight: Light enough that the cord does not pull on the C13 connector under its own weight, which reduces mechanical stress on the equipment inlet — a minor but real consideration in rack environments where cords can hang vertically for years.

Integration and Compatibility

The PXT101_10 is a direct fit for any device with an IEC 60320 C13 inlet powered from a standard North American 125V/15A or 20A circuit — as long as the device draw stays under 10A. Common use cases in security and IT infrastructure include: NVR and DVR appliances, managed and unmanaged PoE switches powering IP camera networks, rack-mount servers, KVM switches, monitors, and UPS battery backup units. It is not suitable for C19 inlets (larger, higher-current equipment like some UPS units and PDUs) or for 240V international applications without a compatible outlet — the NEMA 5-15P plug is North America-specific.

When building out a network video recorder rack or wiring a PoE switch stack, having a standardized 10-foot cord on hand avoids the common situation where a 6-foot cord forces awkward PDU placement. Pair this with a quality rack PDU and your cable management stays clean from day one. For camera infrastructure planning, see the security camera buying guide for power budget and infrastructure considerations. If you are sourcing multiple cords for a larger rack build, reviewing the broader StarTech accessories line will surface compatible cable management and connectivity options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What devices is the PXT101_10 compatible with?

A: Any device with an IEC 60320 C13 power inlet rated for 125V and drawing 10A or less. This includes most NVRs, managed PoE switches, rack-mount servers, desktop computers, monitors, and UPS units with C13 inputs. It is not compatible with C19 inlets or 240V applications.

Q: Is the PXT101_10 UL Listed?

A: Yes. The PXT101_10 carries a UL Listing, indicating it has been independently tested to national electrical safety standards — a requirement for many enterprise and government procurement policies.

Q: What is the VW-1 fire rating on the PXT101_10?

A: VW-1 (Vertical Wire Flame) indicates the cable jacket has been tested to resist vertical flame propagation. This is the relevant rating for cords routed inside enclosed equipment cabinets or vertical cable managers, where flame spread is a primary concern.

Q: Can I use the PXT101_10 on a 20A circuit?

A: The cord is rated for 10A at 125V. It can be plugged into a 20A branch circuit (using a NEMA 5-15P to 5-20R adapter if the outlet is 5-20R), but the cord itself should not carry more than 10A continuously. Size your load accordingly.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for the PXT101_10?

A: The rated operating range is 37°F to 140°F (3°C to 60°C), which covers standard indoor server rooms, equipment closets, and conditioned data center environments. It is not rated for outdoor or sub-freezing use.

Q: Is the PXT101_10 suitable for international use?

A: No. The NEMA 5-15P plug is designed for North American 125V outlets only. It is not compatible with European, UK, or other international outlet standards, and is not rated for 240V supply voltages.

Ted Perry

The thing I want integrators to notice about the PXT101_10 is the VW-1 flame rating combined with the 18 AWG construction — when you are dressing power cords inside a closed equipment cabinet running 24/7 surveillance infrastructure, that combination matters more than the price difference between this and a generic no-name cord. A cord that fails or propagates flame inside a locked IDF closet at 2am is a much bigger problem than any line-item cost.

Technical Highlights:

• 18 AWG / 10A Rating: Correctly matched to the sub-10A loads of NVRs, PoE switches, and rack appliances — using an undersized 20 AWG cord on the same load introduces resistive heating over time that degrades jacket insulation.
• 10-Foot Length: The 3-meter run is the practical sweet spot for wall-outlet-to-rack or PDU-to-equipment runs without generating excess slack; 6-foot cords routinely fall short on standard 42U rack floor placements, forcing PDU repositioning.
• UL Listed + VW-1: Both marks are required by most corporate and government AHJ sign-offs on finished rack installations — skipping to uncertified cords can delay final inspection on a project.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify your equipment inlet is C13 (the standard 3-pin angled connector) and not C19 (larger, used on high-draw UPS and PDU equipment) before ordering — the connectors are not interchangeable.
• The 37°F lower temperature limit means this cord is not suitable for outdoor enclosures or unheated storage facilities in cold climates; in those environments, look for a cord with a rated lower bound below freezing.

For a standard indoor surveillance rack build in a conditioned equipment room — NVR, PoE switch stack, and a UPS on a North American 120V circuit — the PXT101_10 is the correct specification and the certifications will hold up to any facility compliance review.