StarTech PXT101L3 3-Foot Right-Angle IEC C13 Computer Power Cord

Overview

The StarTech PXT101L3 is a 3-foot (0.9m), 18 AWG flexible power cord built for equipment installations where horizontal clearance behind a rack or cabinet is limited. It connects a standard NEMA 5-15P plug to a right-angle IEC 60320 C13 connector, allowing the cable to exit parallel to the rear panel of the device rather than protruding straight back. That single design detail is often the difference between a clean, manageable cable run and a cord that forces a rack to sit 4–6 inches further from the wall than necessary.

The PXT101L3 carries a lifetime manufacturer warranty, making it a zero-maintenance line item in any deployment BOM. At 3.5 oz (98g) and 0.25-inch outer diameter, it adds negligible weight and routes easily through standard cable management rings alongside PoE switches, NVRs, and other rack-mounted equipment.

Key Features

• Right-Angle IEC 60320 C13 Connector: The 90-degree exit angle at the device end keeps the cord flush against the rear panel — critical in shallow-depth racks or when equipment is mounted within 2–3 inches of a wall. Straight C13 cords in the same space would either kink or prevent the rack door from closing.
• 18 AWG, 3-Conductor Construction: Rated at 10A / 125V AC, the 18 AWG wire gauge is correctly sized for most desktop computers, monitors, NVRs, and mid-range UPS units in this amperage class. Three conductors (line, neutral, ground) provide proper grounding continuity — not a two-conductor ungrounded shortcut.
• 3-Foot (0.9m) Length: Short enough to eliminate cable slack that clutters a rack bay, long enough to reach a PDU one or two U positions away. If your PDU is more than 2U from the device, plan for a 6-foot variant instead.
• VW-1 Flame Rating: The PVC jacket carries a UL VW-1 (Vertical Wire) flame rating — it self-extinguishes rather than propagating flame along the cable run. This is the minimum acceptable rating for in-rack wiring in commercial installations and satisfies most facility fire codes for enclosed cabinet deployments.
• PVC Jacket, 0.25-Inch OD: The slim 6.3mm outer diameter routes through tight cable management without bulk. PVC construction is chemically stable in typical indoor rack environments (rated 3°C to 60°C) and resists the abrasion that comes from bundling with other cables in a dense patch environment.
• NEMA 5-15P Straight Plug: The North American standard 15A-rated plug mates with any standard 5-15R outlet or PDU receptacle. No adapters, no compatibility guesswork — plug it into the rack PDU and move on.
• Lifetime Warranty: StarTech backs the PXT101L3 with a lifetime manufacturer warranty. For a component that gets touched once at installation and never again, that coverage essentially removes it from the replacement-parts conversation entirely.

Integration & Compatibility

The PXT101L3 is compatible with any IEC 60320 C14 inlet — the standard power inlet found on most rack-mounted servers, NVRs, KVM switches, UPS units, monitors, and mid-density network switches. The NEMA 5-15P plug fits any standard North American 15A outlet, including the receptacles on virtually all rack PDUs deployed in commercial and enterprise environments.

When wiring out a network video recorder rack, this cord is the right call for the NVR itself, any supplemental PoE injectors with C14 inlets, and rack-mounted monitors or KVMs positioned close to their PDU. For high-draw devices pulling above 10A — enterprise-class UPS bypass panels, high-density PoE switches with full port loading — verify the device's rated draw and step up to a 14 AWG or 12 AWG cord accordingly.

Integrators building out IP camera head-end racks should note that this cord is sized for the supporting infrastructure, not for PoE switch output budgets — the 10A/125V rating is a cord spec, not a switch throughput figure. Pair it with a properly rated PDU and your rack power architecture remains clean and code-compliant.

For broader cable management planning within your rack, review a power management guide to match cord lengths and gauges to actual device positions before ordering. Over-long cords bunched in the back of a rack are a thermal and airflow hazard that a 3-foot cord like the PXT101L3 helps avoid when devices are positioned correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What devices is the PXT101L3 compatible with?

A: Any device with an IEC 60320 C14 inlet drawing up to 10A at 125V AC. Common examples include rack-mounted NVRs, servers, KVM switches, PDUs with C14 outputs, and monitors. Verify your device's power draw does not exceed 10A before installing.

Q: Why does the right-angle connector matter in a rack installation?

A: The 90-degree C13 connector exits parallel to the rear panel of the device, keeping the cord flat against the back of the rack. A straight connector protrudes 2–3 inches, which forces the rack further from the wall or prevents rear doors from closing in enclosed cabinets.

Q: What is the VW-1 flame rating on the PXT101L3?

A: VW-1 (Vertical Wire Flame) is a UL rating indicating the cable jacket self-extinguishes rather than propagating flame upward along the cable. It is the standard minimum flame rating required for power cords used in enclosed commercial rack cabinets and satisfies most applicable facility fire codes.

Q: What warranty does the PXT101L3 carry?

A: StarTech backs the PXT101L3 with a lifetime manufacturer warranty.

Q: Is 18 AWG sufficient for my rack equipment?

A: 18 AWG at 10A/125V covers the majority of rack-mounted computing and surveillance infrastructure — NVRs, switches, monitors, and desktop-class servers. For devices rated above 10A continuous draw, use a heavier-gauge cord (14 AWG or 12 AWG) rated appropriately.

Q: Can the PXT101L3 be used in an outdoor or high-temperature environment?

A: The PXT101L3 is rated for 3°C to 60°C operating temperature and is intended for indoor, climate-controlled environments such as server rooms, IDF/MDF closets, and rack cabinets. It is not rated for outdoor or wet-location use.

Marty Allison

The detail that consistently gets overlooked on power cords is the exit angle, and the PXT101L3 gets it right for tight rack builds. That right-angle C13 connector is the reason I spec this cord whenever a device sits within 3–4 inches of a rear cabinet wall — a straight connector in the same position either kinks under tension or physically prevents the door latch from engaging. At 3 feet, the PXT101L3 also keeps cable slack out of the rear bay, which matters for airflow in densely loaded enclosures.

Technical Highlights:

• Right-Angle C13, 90-Degree Exit: Keeps the cord profile flat against the device rear panel — eliminates the 2–3 inch protrusion of a straight connector that forces rack-to-wall standoff distance.
• 18 AWG / 10A / 125V Rating: Correctly sized for NVRs, rack switches, and KVMs in this draw class. The 3-conductor design provides full ground continuity — not a stripped-down 2-wire shortcut.
• VW-1 Flame-Rated PVC Jacket: Self-extinguishing jacket meets the minimum commercial flame propagation standard for enclosed cabinet wiring — a code requirement, not a nice-to-have.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify the device's actual current draw before installing — the 10A rating is a hard ceiling. High-density PoE switches at full port load or enterprise UPS bypass panels may exceed this; step up to 14 AWG if needed.
• The 3°C to 60°C temperature rating confirms indoor-only use. Do not deploy this cord in outdoor enclosures, unheated storage facilities in cold climates, or any space that exceeds 60°C ambient — which rules out poorly ventilated equipment closets running at full load in summer.

For a surveillance head-end rack where the NVR, a managed PoE switch, and a rack monitor all need short, tidy power runs to a rear-mounted PDU, the PXT101L3 is the correct cord to standardize on across those devices — clean cable management, proper ratings, and a lifetime warranty that removes it from future replacement budgets.