Can US power cords & AC plugs handle 220v?

[OP1M.DR3M]

Hi y'all..

I currently live in the United States and just picked up an Ifi Power Station power strip for US outlets & plugs https://ifi-audio.com/products/powerstation/

It's rated to work with voltages from 90v-265v.

I'm planning to move Vietnam soon where they run on 220v/50hz (but I believe most outlets there still accept US style plugs) and was assuming this power strip and all my equipment would be plug and play as they're all rated to be able to handle 220v. But I'm noticing many aftermarket US power cords and AC plugs are only showing a rating for ~120v.

Is there something about US plugs, cords, and outlets that inherently can only handle 120v?

 

[Anonamemouse]

That should not be a problem whatsoever.

 

[wwenze]

 

[OP1M.DR3M]

So 5-15P and 5-15R appear to be the US style plug/outlet and are rated 125v.. does that mean I have to switch all my cables to a plug/receptacle rated 250v per the chart?

I'm getting some inconsistent info but it seems like most Vietnam outlets should look like one of these?

So it seems it should accept US style flat 2 prong or the 2 round prong (EU or "type C" style I believe?) But I don't see the latter style on the chart.. I'm confused..

 

[Doodski]

So 5-15P and 5-15R appear to be the US style plug/outlet and are rated 125v.. does that mean I have to switch all my cables to a plug/receptacle rated 250v per the chart?

I'm getting some inconsistent info but it seems like most Vietnam outlets should look like one of these?
View attachment 215240View attachment 215241

So it seems it should accept US style flat 2 prong or the 2 round prong (EU or "type C" style I believe?) But I don't see the latter style on the chart.. I'm confused..

Full list: Plug, socket & voltage by country - World Standards

Below is a complete overview of all countries of the world and their respective plugs/outlets and voltages/frequencies used for domestic appliances.

www.worldstandards.eu

Plug & socket types

www.worldstandards.eu

 

[wwenze]

Well yea you won't see the EU style on the chart as that chart is for USA only.

And here is where we touch on the difference between "can some do it" vs "are most of them certified to do it"

In USA, if you install a type 1-15 socket and buy a 1-15 cable, the socket and cable are only rated for up to 125V. Are they tested for 250V? Can they handle 250V? Maybe, maybe not. You are supposed to use 6-15 for 250V operation in USA or the insurance company can reject your claims.

Whereas in Vietnam, if you buy a 1-15 socket and a 1-15 cable there, they will be able to handle 220V without issues.

This is one of the reasons why you should buy electric sockets and cables in your country of residence, and not, say, buy from Aliexpress.

If your equipment are capable of 90-264V, I will bring the equipment over, and buy the cable in Vietnam. Some equipment come with 125V-rated cables that you cannot remove, should you throw the equipment away? In many situations, also no. Just take note whether that equipment is sold internationally or at least somewhere overseas, as the 125V rating often is the result of local regulatory certification, not the BOM. Of course if that part is definitely sold-in-USA-only, then I would worry if the cable can handle 220V.

 

[OP1M.DR3M]

Well yea you won't see the EU style on the chart as that chart is for USA only.

And here is where we touch on the difference between "can some do it" vs "are most of them certified to do it"

In USA, if you install a type 1-15 socket and buy a 1-15 cable, the socket and cable are only rated for up to 125V. Are they tested for 250V? Can they handle 250V? Maybe, maybe not. You are supposed to use 6-15 for 250V operation in USA or the insurance company can reject your claims.

Whereas in Vietnam, if you buy a 1-15 socket and a 1-15 cable there, they will be able to handle 220V without issues.

This is one of the reasons why you should buy electric sockets and cables in your country of residence, and not, say, buy from Aliexpress.

If your equipment are capable of 90-264V, I will bring the equipment over, and buy the cable in Vietnam. Some equipment come with 125V-rated cables that you cannot remove, should you throw the equipment away? In many situations, also no. Just take note whether that equipment is sold internationally or at least somewhere overseas, as the 125V rating often is the result of local regulatory certification, not the BOM. Of course if that part is definitely sold-in-USA-only, then I would worry if the cable can handle 220V.

All my equipment should be sold at least overseas as well as USA and are rated to handle 100-240v. Current set-up:

*Bluesound Node streamer (latest N130 version)
*Denafrips Ares II DAC
*SMSL VMV A1 integrated amplifier

Here's another idea.. could I get the EU version of my Ifi Power Station power strip like this..

..and change all my equipments' power cables to Schuko style, but use a USA power cable to connect the power strip into the wall while I'm still in the USA for now? Then when I move to Vietnam I could switch to an EU cable to connect the power strip to the outlet there since the outlets there appear to also accept EU plugs. But come to think of it.. based on the pics from my previous post it looks like the Vietnam outlets only accept the EU plug without a grounding tab like the Schuko style plugs have.. would this be an issue?

For reference here is the Schuko or "type F" plug and outlet

And here is the "type C" plug and outlet

And the Vietnam outlets again..

Type C plugs should work fine with Vietnam outlets right? But would a Schuko plug since it has a grounding tab?

 

[RandomEar]

Schuko will fit, but the lack of a safety ground means it won't be safe. Would not recommend that at all.

In the end, you'll need a couple of new power cords for a few dollars. I wouldn't skimp on that. That socket seems to be a type D, also used in India. Cables should be easy to come by in the country.

Also, US cords are specced for 110 V and manufacturers aren't known to give stuff away for free - not even insulation. Therefore, I wouldn't trust those at 230V.

 

[Ler0ck]

All will works in Viet Nam because Viet Nam use universal type, don’t bring China, Australia and UK type that don’t fit Universal Outlet.

 

[McFly]

I don’t think your concern is the socket. If it fits, it fits. And if it don’t you can get an adapter.

Your first real concern is the equipment. If it’s rated 90-260VAC, as most modern electronic devices with SMPS are, you’re good to go.

The second concern and often overlooked, on cheap devices, is the cables maximum insulation rating. Take, For example, an old American lamp that’s cord was rated to 100V AC. 100V AC has a max PEAK voltage of 141V, so the cable insulation may be rated to 200V max, beyond that there is a small risk the old insulation will begin to break down and leak voltage. Typically not a problem. The problem occurs when the lamp is taken to a 240V AC country, plugged into an adapter and the maximum peak voltage can be as high as 325V peak. This can make light work of an old 200VMAX cable and quickly break down the insulation and the user may receive a shock, even just touching the cord when the device is plugged in.

You have been warned. Check the VAC or VMAX rating written on the power cord and make sure it can withstand the highest peak voltage of your AC power supply. IIRC Most IEC cables are rated to 300VAC worldwide which is a peak voltage of somewhere around 470V. If the cable has a VAC rating written on it then you can just ensure that is higher than your power supply. If your cable just says 400V with nothing else, it is safer to assume that is the VMAX rating of the cable. All above only applies to single phase devices, for arguments sake.

 

[restorer-john]

@McFly post is the most important here. Take note.