StarTech PAC101 1-Foot AC Power Extension Cord

Overview

The StarTech PAC101 is a 1-foot (0.3m) AC power extension cord rated at 125V/13A with 16 AWG conductors — a short, no-fuss power reach solution for rack equipment, desktop workstations, NVRs, PoE injectors, and any device where the wall outlet or PDU port lands just a few inches out of reach of the attached power cable. It connects a NEMA 5-15P plug to a NEMA 5-15R receptacle, matching the standard North American outlet and cord configuration found on the vast majority of commercial AV and security hardware. UL-listed under UL62 and UL817, this cord meets the same safety baseline required in commercial and light industrial installations.

Key Features

• 125V / 13A Rating: Supports up to 1,625W of continuous load — more than adequate for NVRs, desktop switches, and security appliances that typically draw well under 500W. No derating needed for standard commercial security hardware.
• 16 AWG, 3-Conductor Construction: Heavier gauge than the 18 AWG cords often bundled with consumer devices, which matters when routing power to equipment in enclosed racks or behind panels where heat buildup can stress undersized wire over time.
• NEMA 5-15P to NEMA 5-15R: Standard North American plug-to-receptacle pairing. Fits virtually every UPS, PDU, surge strip, and wall outlet in domestic commercial environments — no adapter needed, no compatibility guesswork.
• VW-1 Flame Rating: The PVC jacket carries a VW-1 (Vertical-Wire Flame) rating, meaning the cord resists flame propagation. This is the floor-level fire safety requirement for power cords used inside or adjacent to equipment enclosures and is required by most commercial inspection standards.
• 1ft / 0.3m Length: Purpose-built for tight installs — closing the gap between a fixed equipment cable and a PDU port without creating cable management headaches. In rack deployments, excess cord length is a real problem; this keeps the run clean.
• 0.33-inch (8.5mm) Outer Diameter: Slim enough to route alongside other cabling in tight conduit runs or behind rack panels without forcing a bend radius violation on adjacent cables.
• Operating Temperature 37°F to 140°F (3°C to 60°C): Covers standard indoor rack and closet environments. Not rated for outdoor or sub-freezing installations — keep it inside the enclosure or equipment room.
• UL62 and UL817 Dual Listing: UL62 governs the wire itself; UL817 governs the cord set assembly. Having both marks confirms the entire assembly — not just the insulation or just the plug — passed independent safety testing. This matters when your install needs to pass a building inspection or insurance audit.
• 3.0 oz (86g) Weight: Light enough that it won't strain a PDU outlet or pull a connected device's cord connector sideways — a real concern with heavier extension cords in horizontal rack configurations.

Integration and Compatibility

The PAC101 works with any device that ships with or requires a standard NEMA 5-15 power connection — which covers the overwhelming majority of network video recorders, PoE switches, video management servers, and access control appliances used in North American commercial security deployments. It pairs cleanly with rack-mounted PDUs and UPS units that provide NEMA 5-15R outlets, which is the standard output on most APC, CyberPower, and Eaton 1U/2U rack UPS units. If your NVR or recorder ships with a permanently attached 3-foot cord and the nearest PDU port sits 4 feet away, this 1-foot extension closes that gap without looping excess cable through the rack. For integrators managing power distribution across a multi-device security rack, keeping a few PAC101 cords on hand avoids the common field problem of mismatched cord lengths forcing improper cable dressing. It is also a practical addition to any security installation accessory kit for technicians doing NVR or server rack commissioning. Review the cable management options available if you're building out a full rack — short cords like this one only work as intended when the overall layout is planned before equipment is installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum current the PAC101 can carry continuously?

A: The PAC101 is rated at 13A at 125V AC. For continuous loads, the NEC recommends staying at or below 80% of rated capacity (approximately 10.4A), consistent with standard commercial wiring practice.

Q: Is the PAC101 safe for use in equipment racks and enclosed cabinets?

A: Yes. The PVC jacket carries a VW-1 flame rating, which means it resists vertical flame propagation — a baseline safety requirement for cords routed inside or adjacent to equipment enclosures. The cord is also UL62 and UL817 listed, confirming the full assembly passed independent safety testing.

Q: What connectors does the PAC101 use?

A: The PAC101 uses a NEMA 5-15P plug (male, 3-prong) on one end and a NEMA 5-15R receptacle (female, 3-prong) on the other — the standard North American power connector pairing used on virtually all commercial security and AV equipment.

Q: Can I use the PAC101 outdoors or in unheated spaces?

A: The operating temperature range is 37°F to 140°F (3°C to 60°C). This covers standard indoor equipment rooms and closets, but rules out outdoor use and any space that drops below freezing. Keep this cord inside climate-controlled enclosures.

Q: Is the PAC101 suitable for use with a UPS or rack PDU?

A: Yes, provided the UPS or PDU provides NEMA 5-15R output outlets, which is standard on most 1U and 2U rack UPS units and strip-style PDUs. The 13A rating accommodates the load of typical NVRs, switches, and security appliances without derating.

Q: What wire gauge does the PAC101 use, and why does it matter?

A: The PAC101 uses 16 AWG conductors — heavier than the 18 AWG wire common in bundled consumer power cords. Heavier gauge means lower resistance and less heat buildup under load, which matters in rack environments where multiple cords share limited airflow.

Marty Allison

The PAC101 comes up regularly in rack commissioning work because it solves a specific, recurring problem: the NVR or server lands in the rack, the PDU outlet is 10 inches away, and the attached power cord is 6 feet — so you either loop excess cable through the rack or grab a 1-foot extension. With the PAC101's 16 AWG construction and dual UL62/UL817 listing, you're not compromising safety to solve a cable management problem, which matters when the install needs to pass inspection.

Technical Highlights:

• 16 AWG Conductors: Lower resistance than 18 AWG means less heat generation at the rated 13A load — relevant when multiple cords are bundled together in a shared raceway or behind a rack panel with restricted airflow.
• VW-1 Flame Rating: Cord resists vertical flame propagation, meeting the baseline fire safety requirement for cords inside equipment enclosures — a requirement that shows up in building and insurance inspections for commercial installations.
• 0.33-inch Jacket Diameter: Slim enough to route cleanly alongside structured cabling without forcing adjacent cables out of their bend radius — a real consideration when dressing the back of a dense 2U rack shelf.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 37°F lower temperature limit rules out use in unheated exterior enclosures or loading dock installations where overnight temps drop below freezing — stick to conditioned equipment rooms.
• At 1 foot, this cord only solves a very specific reach problem. If you need 3 feet or more between the device and the PDU outlet, you'll need a longer cord — using two extension cords in series is not a code-compliant practice and should be avoided.

The PAC101 is the right cord to stock for NVR and security server rack builds in commercial facilities where rack layout is pre-planned and PDU outlet positions are fixed — it keeps cable dressing clean without introducing oversized, looped cords that block airflow and complicate future equipment swaps.