StarTech C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT 10ft Locking IEC C14 to C13 Heavy Duty Power Extension Cord

Overview

The StarTech C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT is a 10-foot heavy-duty AC power extension cord designed specifically for rack-mounted equipment, UPS systems, and PDU deployments where an accidental disconnect is not an option. It runs a locking IEC 60320 C14 inlet on one end and a locking IEC 60320 C13 outlet on the other — the same connector pair you find on virtually every enterprise server, network switch, and rack PDU on the market. At 15A and 250V with 14 AWG conductors, this cable handles the sustained current draw of full-rack or high-density computing gear without thermal buildup. If you manage a data center, telecom room, or rack-based surveillance infrastructure and you've ever had a cable vibrate loose at 2 a.m., this is the cord you should have installed the first time.

Key Features

• Locking IEC 60320 C14 and C13 Connectors: Both ends lock to their mating receptacles, preventing accidental disconnection from vibration, cable pull, or accidental contact. In dense rack environments where cables run tight and technicians work in close quarters, a locked connector is the difference between a scheduled maintenance window and an unplanned outage.
• 15A / 250V Rating: Supports up to 15 amperes at 250 volts AC, covering North American 120V circuits and international 230V environments alike. That capacity is sufficient for most 1U and 2U servers, NVRs, and managed switches without running near the thermal derating threshold — keep loads at or below 80% (12A) for continuous operation per NEC guidelines.
• 14 AWG Wire Gauge: Heavier than the 18 AWG cords that ship with consumer gear, 14 AWG reduces resistive voltage drop over the 10-foot run and handles sustained high-current loads without the conductor heating you get from undersized wire. This matters in always-on deployments like surveillance recorders and network infrastructure that run 24/7/365.
• 10-Foot (3.0m) Length: Long enough to reach from a rack PDU mounted in the rear vertical rail to a device in a mid-rack 1U or 2U slot, or to bridge the gap between a UPS output and equipment on an adjacent rack. Measure your specific run before ordering — 10 feet works for most standard 19-inch rack configurations but may be tight on deep cabinets with rear-mounted PDUs.
• PVC Cable Jacket, VW-1 Fire Rating: The PVC outer jacket carries a VW-1 (vertical wire flame) rating, meaning the cable passes UL's vertical flame propagation test. In a rack or raised-floor environment where cable bundles run vertically, VW-1 compliance is a baseline requirement for most data center build-out specifications and local electrical codes.
• Operating Temperature Range -20°C to 105°C: The insulation and jacket materials maintain integrity across a wide thermal range — relevant in telecom huts, outdoor enclosures with HVAC, or any space where ambient temperatures swing significantly. The 105°C upper limit provides real margin above the operating temperature of even densely loaded rack environments.
• UL Listed: UL listing means the cable has been independently tested and certified to meet applicable electrical safety standards. Many enterprise procurement specs and insurance requirements mandate UL Listed power cabling — this cord satisfies that requirement out of the box.
• TAA Compliant: Built in compliance with the Trade Agreements Act, making this cord eligible for U.S. federal government procurement contracts and GSA schedule purchases where TAA origin requirements apply. If you're supplying a government agency or DOD facility, TAA compliance is non-negotiable and this cord delivers it.

Integration and Compatibility

The C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT mates with any standard IEC 60320 C13/C14 device — servers, rack-mount NVRs, PoE switches, UPS units, and PDUs from virtually every major vendor including APC, Eaton, Vertiv, Cisco, Dell, HPE, and Axis. The locking mechanism on both connectors is passive — it requires no tools to engage or release, just a standard push-and-twist or squeeze-and-pull depending on the receptacle design. This cord is compatible with power cables and accessories commonly used across rack infrastructure, and pairs naturally with rack PDUs and UPS systems where secure connections are required. Because both ends use the universal C13/C14 form factor, there is no compatibility concern with standard rack equipment. Note that the locking function on the C14 plug end depends on the receptacle also being a locking-style C14 socket — standard non-locking C14 inlets will accept the plug but the locking retention will not engage. Verify your PDU or UPS output receptacle type before deploying if the lock function is a hard requirement. For data center power infrastructure planning, pairing this cord with a properly rated rack enclosure and cable management system ensures both safety and accessibility during maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the locking mechanism on the C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT actually do — and does it work with all C14 inlets?

A: The locking connectors physically retain the plug in the receptacle to prevent accidental disconnection from vibration or cable pull. However, the locking retention on the C14 plug end requires a compatible locking-style C14 receptacle to engage fully. Standard non-locking C14 inlets will accept the plug and pass power normally, but will not mechanically retain the connector.

Q: Is this cord rated for 120V North American circuits, or only 230V international?

A: The cord is rated at 250V AC and 15A, making it suitable for both North American 120V circuits and international 230V/240V environments. The IEC 60320 C13/C14 connector pair is the international standard used across both voltage ranges.

Q: Is the C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT TAA compliant for government purchasing?

A: Yes. The C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT is TAA compliant, meeting Trade Agreements Act origin requirements for U.S. federal government and GSA schedule procurement.

Q: What is the wire gauge and why does it matter for rack deployments?

A: This cord uses 14 AWG conductors. Heavier gauge wire reduces resistive voltage drop over the 10-foot run and safely handles sustained high-current loads — important for always-on equipment like servers and NVRs that draw near-continuous current. Many commodity power cords use 18 AWG, which is undersized for 15A commercial applications.

Q: Is the C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT UL Listed, and does that matter for commercial installations?

A: Yes, this cord is UL Listed. UL listing means it has been independently tested to applicable electrical safety standards. Many enterprise procurement specs, data center build-out requirements, and local electrical codes require UL Listed power cabling — particularly for equipment inside rack enclosures.

Q: What fire rating does the cable jacket carry?

A: The PVC jacket is VW-1 rated, meaning it has passed UL's vertical wire flame test. This is a baseline compliance requirement for power cables routed vertically inside racks or raised-floor data center environments.

Marty Allison

The detail I always flag on locking power cords is wire gauge, and the C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT gets this right: 14 AWG conductors on a 15A-rated cord means you're running within safe thermal limits even at continuous near-capacity draw — something you cannot say about the 18 AWG cords that routinely get substituted in rack builds to save a few dollars and later cause nuisance trips or, worse, thermal events at the connector.

Technical Highlights:

• 14 AWG at 15A/250V: Conductor sizing is matched to the current rating — resistive losses stay low over the full 10-foot (3.0m) run, and the insulation's 105°C temperature rating provides real headroom in densely packed rack environments.
• VW-1 Fire-Rated PVC Jacket: Passes UL's vertical flame propagation test — a hard requirement in most enterprise data center specifications and an item that gets flagged immediately during facility audits if it's missing.
• TAA Compliance: For integrators building out federal agency surveillance or IT infrastructure, TAA compliance eliminates procurement friction — this cord clears GSA and DOD origin requirements without exceptions or waivers.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm that your PDU or UPS C14 output receptacle is a locking-style socket before specifying this cord if the mechanical retention is a project requirement — the locking function on the C14 plug end will not engage with a standard non-locking C14 inlet, though power will pass normally.
• Per NEC continuous-load derating, plan to keep actual load at or below 12A (80% of 15A) on circuits where the cord will carry current for three or more hours continuously — this is a code requirement, not a StarTech-specific limitation.

The C14LC13L14G15ABK10FT is the right specification for rack-mount NVR and network infrastructure deployments in federal facilities, enterprise data centers, or any environment where accidental power disconnection, fire code compliance, and TAA procurement eligibility all need to be checked boxes simultaneously.