StarTech PXT101NB-STRA-3F 3-Foot Right-Angle C7 Laptop Power Cord

Overview

The StarTech PXT101NB-STRA-3F is a 3-foot (0.9m) replacement power cord designed for laptops, small appliances, and consumer electronics that draw power through an IEC 60320 C7 inlet. It runs from a standard NEMA 1-15P two-prong plug to a right-angle C7 connector — the right-angle orientation keeps the cord profile low against the device body, which matters when clearance between the outlet and a desk or rack surface is tight. At 18AWG and rated for 7A at 125V, this cord handles the load requirements of the devices it was designed for without oversizing the conductor or the price.

For integrators managing AV equipment rooms, workstation deployments, or surveillance control stations where laptop-style power supplies are in use, having a reliable spare on hand prevents unnecessary downtime. The PXT101NB-STRA-3F (often searched as PXT101NB STRA 3F) is a straightforward, spec-verified replacement rather than a generic unrated substitute.

Key Features

• Right-Angle C7 Connector: The 90-degree connector at the device end sits flush against the equipment body rather than projecting straight out — useful in tight spaces like equipment carts, under-desk installations, or densely packed AV racks where a straight connector would create a strain point or obstruct adjacent ports.
• 7A / 125V Rating: Rated for 7 amperes at 125V AC, this cord supports up to 875W of draw — sufficient for laptops, small AV devices, and Class II power bricks that use the C7 format. Running a cord beyond its rated current is a fire risk; this rating is appropriately sized for the device class it serves.
• 18AWG Conductor: 18-gauge wire provides the correct balance of flexibility and current capacity for a 7A, 125V application. Thinner gauges at this current rating generate excess heat; 18AWG keeps resistive losses and operating temperature within safe limits for a 3-foot run.
• VW-1 Fire Rating: The PVC jacket carries a UL VW-1 (Vertical Wire Flame) rating, meaning the material self-extinguishes when a flame source is removed. In commercial deployments — control rooms, server closets, and security operations centers — fire-rated cable is often required by local code and is always the correct choice over unrated alternatives.
• -20°C to 105°C Operating Range: The jacket and insulation are rated from -20°C to 105°C (-4°F to 221°F), which covers both cold storage environments and equipment enclosures where ambient heat can climb. Most unrated replacement cords carry no published temperature specification at all.
• 0.29-inch Cable OD: At 7.3mm outer diameter, the cord is slim enough to route cleanly through cable managers and grommets without adding bulk, while still providing adequate jacket protection for daily-use environments.
• 2.5 oz (70g) Weight: The lightweight construction — just 2.5 ounces — means no meaningful strain on the device's power inlet from the cord's own weight, which matters on portable equipment where connector stress is a common failure point.
• NEMA 1-15P Two-Prong Plug: The standard two-prong North American plug fits any ungrounded 125V outlet. Devices using the C7 connector are Class II (double-insulated) and do not require a ground pin, so the NEMA 1-15P is the correct plug type — not a compromise.

Integration and Compatibility

The IEC 60320 C7 connector format is used across a wide range of Class II devices: laptops with external power bricks, certain projectors, gaming consoles, AV receivers, and small network appliances. Verify your device's inlet before ordering — the C7 is a figure-eight shaped two-conductor connector and is not interchangeable with the C5 (cloverleaf) or C13 (three-pin) formats.

This cord is intended for 125V North American applications only. It is not rated for 240V circuits. The NEMA 1-15P plug fits standard US/Canada two-prong wall outlets and compatible power strips. For applications requiring a grounded connection, the device inlet itself would need to support a C5 or C13 connector with an appropriately grounded plug — this cord is not the right fit for those scenarios.

Integrators deploying power cables across surveillance workstations and laptop accessories for field technicians will find this a clean direct replacement. For broader infrastructure planning, reviewing power management solutions ensures cord ratings align with UPS and PDU configurations. When equipping a full security system deployment, specifying fire-rated cabling throughout reduces code compliance risk at inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What devices is the PXT101NB-STRA-3F compatible with?

A: Any Class II device with an IEC 60320 C7 (figure-eight) power inlet operating on 125V AC. Common examples include laptops with external power supplies, projectors, gaming consoles, and small AV appliances. Confirm your device uses a C7 inlet — not a C5 or C13 — before ordering.

Q: Is this cord suitable for 240V international use?

A: No. The PXT101NB-STRA-3F is rated for 125V AC with a NEMA 1-15P plug, which is a North American two-prong format. It is not rated or configured for 240V applications or international outlets.

Q: What does the VW-1 fire rating mean in practice?

A: VW-1 (Vertical Wire Flame) is a UL-defined test standard requiring that the cable jacket self-extinguish after a flame source is removed. For commercial installations — especially in enclosed equipment rooms, security control stations, or any space with local fire code requirements — VW-1 rated cabling is typically required over unrated alternatives.

Q: Why does the right-angle C7 connector matter over a straight connector?

A: The right-angle orientation reduces the physical profile at the device's power inlet, which is useful when the equipment sits close to a wall, desk surface, or adjacent device. It also reduces lever-arm stress on the connector under daily-use conditions, which can extend connector service life on frequently moved equipment.

Q: Can this cord handle gaming consoles and AV receivers, or only laptops?

A: Yes, provided the device uses an IEC 60320 C7 inlet and operates within the 7A / 125V rating. Many gaming consoles, AV receivers, and projectors use C7 inlets. Check your device's power requirements against the 7A maximum before substituting this cord.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for the PXT101NB-STRA-3F?

A: The cord is rated from -20°C to 105°C (-4°F to 221°F), covering cold storage environments and equipment enclosures where ambient heat can accumulate. Most generic replacement cords carry no published temperature rating.

Jerry Tildsen

The PXT101NB-STRA-3F gets overlooked because it looks like a commodity item — it is not. The 18AWG conductor with a 7A/125V rating and a VW-1-rated PVC jacket puts this cord in a different category from no-name replacements that show up in bulk bins with zero published specs. When I'm speccing out a surveillance control station or an AV rack that will sit in a finished equipment room, I want documented fire ratings on every cable in that space, and this one has them.

Technical Highlights:

• VW-1 Flame Rating: The PVC jacket self-extinguishes per UL VW-1 test methodology — a concrete, verifiable rating that matters when a local inspector walks through your equipment room and checks cable compliance.
• 18AWG / 7A Rating: Properly sized for the load class. Running a 10AWG cord on a 1A laptop supply is waste; running an underrated cord on a 7A device is a hazard. The conductor gauge and current rating are matched here.
• -20°C to 105°C Operating Range: That upper limit of 105°C means the insulation will not degrade inside a warm equipment enclosure or under a power brick that runs hot — a common failure mode for unrated cords in enclosed AV furniture.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify the inlet format on the target device before deploying in quantity. The C7 figure-eight connector is not interchangeable with C5 or C13 — a mismatch discovered after a rack deployment wastes time and budget.
• The NEMA 1-15P is a two-prong ungrounded plug. If your facility's power strips or PDUs have only three-prong receptacles with physically blocked two-prong slots, you will need an appropriate adapter — the cord itself does not address that compatibility gap.

The PXT101NB-STRA-3F is well-positioned for security operations centers and AV equipment rooms where replacement cords need a documented fire rating and a right-angle connector that fits cleanly behind wall-mounted or furniture-integrated equipment without creating a strain point on the device inlet.