Lousy IEC Connections


I have had many different power cords.  I will not name manufacturers, but they are well known.  I continue to experience IEC plug slop.  And, quite frankly, I am tired of it.  Why spend the money on the cord when the connection is ultimately lame.
Have you experienced said slop and have you a solution?
rpw357
I use SonarQuest Silver plated on Copper from eBay (other plating materials available).

They have superior clamping (like a vice) and the "arms" that clamp the pins in the IEC Chassis socket are noticeably thicker than other plugs

I've tried many brands, but these are clearly the best available

Hope that Helps - Steve
Two issues with my pretty heavy Shunyata PCs. 1. They can pull up lighter components.
2. The wall connection needs a cable riser to keep it from pulling out.
They all need cable risers.


The power cable to my amplifier doesn't need cable risers, it goes straight from the wall to the IEC connector on my amp without even touching the floor. 
I appreciate all of the help and suggestions.  Personally, I would like to see the component & cable manufacturers move to a locking IEC
http://http//www.ieclock.com/
I know not the sole solution, but the direction in general I would like to see.
Use a couple of wraps of plumbers teflon tape over the IEC end before inserting to tighten the connection.

ozzy
Cable risers do NOTHING for poor design.
IEC connects WERE set up for snug rubber plugs and 14 ga. cable. Not plastic or machined metal plugs with stiffy garden hose.
Thanks for bringing this up, I wrap the plug with friction tape.
Uh, they support the cable, obviating the need for all this other stuff. That's not nothing. 


Supporting the cable does NOT "obviate" anything. Unless your rig is laying around in the floor collecting dust, never touched. An actual solution would be for some genius to invent a locking plug that accepts 8-12 awg wire.

https://www.amazon.com/Rewireable-IEC320-C13-Accidental-Unplugging-Disconnections/dp/B01DCFVXKK/ref=...
Fuzz- I debated whether or not to reply to you, but decided that I should.  There are some companies (Audience and Synergistic Research) that do use twist lock connectors on their power conditioners.  Trying to get hundreds of manufacturers to agree to use a different connector than they currently use is not only an uphill struggle- it is climbing Mount Everest in a blizzard.  Just not gonna happen.  There ARE some solutions for you- friction tape on the outside of the IEC to make it fit snugly costs very little and is very effective.  If your power cords pull out of the wall, rotate the duplex 180 degrees and have the ground hole at the top.  Two very quick, inexpensive solutions that should work for you and satisfy the urge to complain further.
Something has changed w/ the IEC's imo.  And my guess is that these hundreds of manufacturers have expanded their acceptabe tolerance levels on IEC's so that they do not have to reject the thousands of plugs that they purchase.  It is an easy fix.  Hold the plug manufacturers feet to the fire and have them supply plugs that provide a snug fit.  They all want to yap about how great their wire is and then put a sloppy connector on it.  Follow the money.
Yes, this is an issue, and there are easy fixes for. My greatest issue with pc's is having iec into equipment being at all manner of placement. Grounds may be top, bottom, right or left, often have to twist stiff pc which pulls equipment off specialized footers. As a result, I now only use more pliable pcs.
The Furutech FI-15 Plus IEC connectors actually have a very tight fit when inserted into equipment.  This is both with the plug casing itself (which the fit into the IEC socket is very tight and snug) as well as the strength of the internal contact clamp mechanism.  The more expensive Furutech connectors are still pretty okay, but not quite as tight fitting.

The Neotech IEC connectors are tight fitting as well.
Which reminds me, what a walrus has in common with Tupperware: they both like a tight seal. 
A classic.
These are all good suggestions - cable risers, shrink wrap, friction tape, teflon tape, installing aftermarket connectors, etc. but....these are all patches.  The root cause is not being addressed; and that is ultimately up to the manufacturers.  IMO, for the money that we spend on this stuff we should not be accepting of applying patches.  I doubt that any of us would be accepting of having a new toillet installed and being told as the plumber walked out the door to make sure we jiggled the handle.
As millercarbon suggests, a couple wraps with teflon tape or in my case, a couple wraps of electrical tape around the exposed barrel will tighten her up just fine. Experiment with the amount of tape to get just the right snug fit...
rpw - now I get it.  You DO know that the specification for IEC's on components ONLY specifies the dimensions and location of the actual connectors NOT the cup that they fit into.  This is NOT a manufacturing issue- it is an issue with the lack of specifications for the cup!  Use the recommended "patches", because the specifications are not going to be enhanced or changed at this point.
jwp-
You make a very good point, it could be those sloppy female sockets that get me riled up; it may not be the male connector.  Sockets might be intentionally oversized so that any connector will fit.
it is always the fault of the females and the various cup sizes... hate it when two don't match up properly 😆😆😆