Power supply cable: use an old or a new one

The power supply cable is an essential element that powers our computer. We tell you if it is better to use an old one or not.

Being a very common cable in any home, the situation may arise where we use an old power cable in a newer power supply. There is some ignorance about it, so we have decided to investigate and bring you our conclusions.

Next, we tell you if you can reuse the cable from our old PC or better use a new one.

Index of contents

IEC C13 connector

We refer to the well-known IEC connector ( International Electrotechnical Commission) , which we find in numerous technological devices, such as video consoles, televisions, monitors, printers, etc. It is an input connector that supplies electricity to the computer. It is made up of three 10-amp slots where the three pins are inserted and has both male and female.

On the other hand, in the computer we find the input C14 to which we have to connect our cable C13. Do not confuse the C15, which can be found in HP products or on the Xbox 360. Although they serve our power supply, it may not work quite well.

Our advice is to use C13 for your power supply, although something fatal does not have to happen if you use a different one.

Old or new power supply cable?

It is always safer to use a new power supply cord because it is free of wear and has not been exposed to any conditions. On the other hand, the old cable can serve us perfectly, but we can experience irregularities that are avoidable.

One way to know that the power supply cable works correctly is to connect it to our equipment, turn it on and leave it on for an hour. After an hour, touch the cable and check that it is not hot; if it is, you must change it because it is not safe and can damage the source.

Also, you should check the cable amps, keeping in mind that modern sources need 1 amp for every 100 watts the power supply has. Normally, these cables usually have between 3 or 4 amps, but if we have a 700W source we will need another cable.

That said, I have personally used different cables and have not experienced anything unusual, but it is more advisable to use a cable adapted to the power supply. Therefore, we urge you to use the cable that comes in the box of your source.

In addition, almost all incorporate active PFC, making all the power that enters the source clean and correct. Warning! There are fonts that do not incorporate PFC, a detail that is important for us to incorporate a font.

Conclusion about the power cable

In short, it is much more advisable to use a new power cable compared to an old one. However, you should not use any new cable, but preferably use the one that is most compatible with the power supply, such as the one that comes in its box.

On the other hand, nothing would happen if we use an older cable or a new one that is not entirely compatible. The only thing that would happen is that we will not be as safe as a new one, since it does not enter the power required by the power supply, as the equipment itself.

We recommend you read the best power sources

If you have any questions, you can comment below so we can help you. We love reading to you, so share your impressions or anecdotes with us!