An IEC with grip

Now I love posting! thx zlone. This is one of the sleeves in action.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jfdy4i01yunwa2nyr1mmu/AFXyMng5UHa1R1u5KgNxXPo?rlkey=sj5ielbnw5ok775augahtcfi5&dl=0

Thanks for coming out of your shell to post @yada , I will put them on the list to try.  

This is what I purchase and it works the best. Most stereo IEC are C13

I have tens of thousands of dollars in power cables. This works best if you do not use cable support lifters. My computer helper friend uses these throughout his campus on the small stuff and told me about them.

I am a sneaky reader and seldom post.

"But you do not have any control what a manufacturer uses on his equipment.” +1

Why should we?

I don’t have power connection issues using my Esoteric, Luxman, and Accuphase devices. If there will be such problems, I will buy original parts to replace failing ones. You may call me “originalist”! If I want something different than is offered by high-end manufacturers, I will build it by myself, and in that case I will have full control! 

Power connection is important, but it is not at the top of SQ impact pareto chart for users’ following reputable manufacturer recommendations. We also have no “control” on what transistor/capacitor/PCB-layout-materials/design/clk-jitter/wires/terminals/fuses/chips/etc. used to build our equipment.

Thank you all for the suggestions, I have some things to try.

It really does come down to surface area and clamping force. It seems that a couple of pieces of spring steel would solve a lot of problems.

These have worked well for me at the wall plug interface.

https://shunyata.com/product/cable-cradle-wall-plate/

+1 @carlsbad2

"change the female out to a female of a good brand"

Fix it once, then enjoy your system...

I now use Leviton 8380-W 20 Amp, 125 Volt, Decora Plus Duplex Receptacle, Straight Blade, Hospital Grade, Surge with Indicator Light 

...which I purchased on Amazon ($55 each) // Excellent grip + some surge protection.

Leviton 8380-W 20 Amp, 125 Volt, Decora Plus Duplex Receptacle, Straight Blade, Hospital Grade, Surge with Indicator Light, White - Blade Fuses - Amazon.com

Take a look here.

“..the IEC power connectors are a poor designed electrical power connector.” - agree for some manufacturers / OEMs..

I’ve seen very good quality manufactured IEC interconnects.

After trying many different things over the years, the only things that really work are the retention sleeves mentioned in an earlier post. And they work great and are cheap.

@jonwolfpell I hear you there on the jokes! Your wondering also might find an answer in the form of a joke by Randall Monroe:

https://xkcd.com/927/
Universal standards are tricky beasts, to be sure.

If you’re looking for a mechanical solution that doesn’t require replacing plugs or inlets, Furutech makes a “bracer boost” which is essentially a chunk of their NCF material with some adhesive. Comes in singles and doubles.

There’s a lot of quite humorous but not very PC jokes that come to mind regarding the male / female plug matter which I will leave alone….

That said, I wonder why no one has come up with power cord locking devices similar to the older multi pin computer cables w/ a thumb screw on each side to lock the cable in place & thus separating out the mechanical & electrical connections? 

Totally feel you on this one. I have been very disappointed in many of the higher end power cables from Shunyata, Wireworld, and Synergistic. They do not trip well at all. In many cases I have had to place an object or 2 under the connection to the component so they stay in place and connected.

I highly recommend DH Labs. Specifically the Power Plus Cryo and Red Wave. These cables have a super tight and secure grip. The best I have experienced. Plus they’re amazing cables. I replaced a Shunyata Delta on my Processor with the Power Plus and what a difference! Solid connections!

The grippiest C13/15A IEC I’ve experienced is from IEGo. Comes in a bunch of different flavors ranging from bare copper to gold-plated copper to rhodium-plated silver. They also happen to be a pretty good product for the money, so perhaps that’s your ticket.

I've tried Teflon tape and if it migrates, You have to be careful as it conducts electricity and you'll hear a crackle. I stopped using it. I've stacked things to prop up the connector but will try those inserts. 

I am a little confused, and maybe it is just me. I have never had the male side of a power cord pull out, but have on several occasions had the female (component) side of a power cord come loose… particularly with upgraded PC with harder / larger plugs. I am never able to feel like they are fully seated. Is there a trick I am missing?

Or there is the old jury rig - tape wrapped around the cable in cradle fashion with the loose ends attached to the top of the component thus holding up the plug and preventing sagging. The only drawback is having to loosen the tape sling when the component needs to be unplugged.

I always use this technique on I2S plugs most of which have very inadequate bearing shoulders.

+1 @bugredmachine those inserts are a no brainer to have arround.  I got a big bag on Amazon for cheap.  If the help great, if not don’t use them.

I have no issues w/ IEC, using original PCs, in my Accuphase/Luxman setups. Using third party cables could lead to tolerance / bad / incompatible metal contact issues. To avoid it, either replace receptacle and plug by respectful brand, ideal one series, or hardwire device! It worked for me to resolve many critical studio and stage equipment power noise issues.

The "grip" is a function of both the cable, and the female receptacle on your amp.  I'd try to find out what brand it is and try their male.  Or change the female out to a female of a good brand that I have a male to match.

Jerry

IEC320 Male Over-Mold Contact Retention Inserts - Secure Sleeve Tab For Plugs

It can be frustrating when this happens. I'd consider removing the Puritan connector and transferring it to your target cable as an option.

Above all things, avoid Wattgate, they don’t seat fully and are prone to suffer from cable leverage/weight pulling them out. I’ve had decent luck with Connex (the Parts Connexion brand) but it’s only relatively better than Wattgate.

Avoid Rhodium plated connections. They are too hard and therefore don’t grip well. Stick to brass with silver or gold plating.

They do make locking IEC plugs, but the one's I've seen are for "normal" diameter cables.  They are meant for server rooms, not phat cable audio junkies.