StarTech K31D-2U00-POWER-CORD 6-Inch Heavy Duty Locking Power Cord

Overview

The StarTech K31D-2U00-POWER-CORD is a 6-inch (15cm) heavy duty power cord designed to bridge a twist-lock NEMA L5-20P plug to a standard NEMA 5-20R receptacle in 20A/125V single-phase environments. At only 6 inches, this isn't a run-of-the-rack extension cord — it's a short-throw adapter cord built for data center racks, UPS output connections, and PDU pigtail scenarios where you need to convert a locking outlet to a straight-blade receptacle without running extra cable length through the cabinet. If your UPS, generator transfer switch, or rack PDU terminates in an L5-20P locking output and your downstream device wants a standard 5-20 plug, this cord closes that gap cleanly.

Key Features

• NEMA L5-20P Locking Plug (Input): The twist-lock L5-20P connector engages mechanically and won't pull free under vibration or accidental cable tension — critical on UPS and generator-fed circuits where an unexpected disconnect can take down live equipment.
• NEMA 5-20R Receptacle (Output): Provides a standard 20A straight-blade outlet on the load end, accepting any NEMA 5-20P or NEMA 5-15P plug. That backward compatibility with 15A plugs means most commercial rack equipment can connect without a separate adapter.
• 20A / 125V Rating: Rated for the full 20A circuit capacity at 125V AC, so you're not derating the circuit at the cord level. For high-draw rack gear like UPS units, PDUs, or dense compute nodes, this matters — an undersized cord at the last connection point defeats the purpose of a properly provisioned 20A circuit.
• 12 AWG Wire Gauge: Heavier than the 14AWG or 16AWG typically found in standard power cords, 12AWG supports the full 20A load without resistive heating across the cord — particularly relevant in enclosed rack environments where heat accumulates and undersized conductors become a fire risk over time.
• UL Listed: Third-party safety certification from Underwriters Laboratories. For facilities with insurance requirements, building inspections, or data center compliance audits, UL listing on every power component in the chain is a baseline expectation, not an optional feature.
• VW-1 Fire Rating: The outer jacket carries a VW-1 (Vertical Wire, single) flame rating — meaning the jacket resists vertical flame propagation. In a rack cabinet with vertical cable runs, this rating matters for fire containment if an arc or fault occurs nearby.
• Operating Temperature Range -20°C to 105°C: The jacket and insulation are rated well beyond normal data center ambient temperatures. The 105°C upper limit means the cord handles localized heat pockets in dense racks without jacket degradation or insulation breakdown over time.
• 0.44-Inch Cable OD: The outer diameter keeps the cord manageable in tight cable management trays and 1U spaces. At 6 inches total length, the stiff 12AWG conductors won't coil gracefully, but the compact OD at least doesn't block adjacent outlets.

Integration and Compatibility

The K31D-2U00-POWER-CORD (often searched as K31D 2U00 POWER CORD) is purpose-matched to any 20A/125V circuit using NEMA L5-20 locking outlets — common on APC, Eaton, Tripp Lite, and CyberPower UPS units, as well as rack-mount PDUs with twist-lock output banks. The 5-20R receptacle end accepts standard server, networking, and storage equipment with NEMA 5-20P plugs, and also accepts NEMA 5-15P plugs, broadening compatibility to most commercial rack devices. This cord is not appropriate for 240V circuits, three-phase environments, or L6-series (250V) outlet configurations — verify your UPS or PDU output connector type before ordering. At 6 inches, plan the physical layout: the cord is designed for adjacent connections (UPS output to PDU input, PDU output to device) rather than any cross-rack routing. For rack power distribution planning and related UPS and power supply products, confirm outlet type and amperage before selecting this cord. Integrators building out server rack accessories kits will find this cord useful as a standardized L5-20P adapter component. For longer runs or different connector configurations, see the broader power cords category. If your deployment involves PoE network switches or other high-draw rack gear on 20A circuits, this cord handles the full rated load without derating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the NEMA L5-20P and NEMA 5-20R connectors on this cord?

A: The L5-20P is a locking plug — you insert it and twist to lock it in place so it cannot be accidentally pulled out. It connects to an L5-20R locking outlet on your UPS or PDU. The 5-20R is a standard straight-blade receptacle on the load end, which accepts NEMA 5-20P and NEMA 5-15P plugs from downstream equipment.

Q: Can I use the K31D-2U00-POWER-CORD on a 15A circuit?

A: No. The L5-20P locking plug is physically incompatible with NEMA L5-15R locking outlets. This cord is rated and keyed specifically for 20A/125V L5-20 circuits.

Q: Is the K31D-2U00-POWER-CORD safe for use in enclosed rack cabinets?

A: Yes. The cord carries a UL listing and a VW-1 flame rating on the jacket, both of which are standard baseline requirements for power cords deployed inside enclosed rack cabinets. The 12AWG conductors support the full 20A rating without resistive heating under load.

Q: Why is this cord only 6 inches long?

A: It's designed as a short adapter cord, not an extension. Typical use cases are connecting an L5-20 locking UPS output directly to a rack PDU input, or adapting a PDU's locking outlet to a standard receptacle for an adjacent device — both scenarios where you want minimum slack in the cabinet.

Q: Does this cord work with 240V equipment?

A: No. The K31D-2U00-POWER-CORD is rated for 125V AC only. For 240V applications, you need NEMA L6-series connectors (L6-20P/L6-20R), which are a different product entirely.

Marty Allison

The K31D-2U00-POWER-CORD comes up regularly when integrators are commissioning rack power chains and realize their UPS or PDU's locking L5-20P output doesn't directly mate to standard equipment receptacles. The 12AWG conductor and 20A/125V rating mean you're not introducing any derating at this junction — which matters when the upstream circuit is already provisioned to capacity and every amp counts.

Technical Highlights:

• 12 AWG Conductors: Supports the full 20A circuit rating without resistive heating — undersizing at the last cord in the chain is a common mistake in dense rack builds, and 12AWG eliminates that risk at 125V.
• VW-1 Flame Rating: The jacket resists vertical flame propagation, meeting the baseline requirement for enclosed rack cabinet deployments where fire containment relies on every component in the cable run.
• -20°C to 105°C Operating Range: The 105°C upper limit provides real margin in high-density rack environments where localized heat spikes are common — jacket degradation from heat cycling is a long-term reliability factor most buyers overlook on short cords.

Deployment Considerations:

• At 6 inches, plan physical adjacency carefully — this cord is designed for direct outlet-to-inlet connections, not cross-cabinet routing. Measure the distance between your L5-20 source and the load inlet before ordering.
• The 5-20R receptacle end will accept 15A plugs (NEMA 5-15P), but the circuit is still governed by the upstream 20A breaker — ensure downstream equipment is rated appropriately for the circuit capacity.

This cord is the right pick for data center rack builds and colocation cage deployments where UPS or PDU outputs terminate in L5-20 twist-lock connectors and downstream gear requires a standard 20A straight-blade receptacle — a clean, code-compliant solution for that specific adapter gap.