C13 power cables - is it safe to plug these live?

[bsodmike]

Hi all,

This is probably a daft question, and due to being daft, I’m expecting the answer to be a “yes, it’s OK”.

Over the years I’ve been pedantic of plugging C13 cables when the UPS is off. However, if I my load device has an on/off power switch (say another PC), is it safe to plug the female end of the C13 into a running UPS?

Since the load is off, there wouldn’t be any sparks due to rubbing contacts?

Of course, I’m sure there are a few folks that have:

• Kept the load switch on, and plugged the female end into a live UPS

Now, with PCs this isn’t a huge issue as a PC starts up in standby and only the 5vdc supply is mainly loaded etc, but what if you have a bigger load that has a high inrush current - would you see sparks/frying if attempting the above?

Thanks,
Mike

[anon51817158]

It’s best not to fuck with electrical current. Follow whatever instructions your UPS’s guide says to do.

[Marandil]

@bsodmike

is it safe to plug the female end of the C13 into a running UPS?

As safe as plugging the male end into the device. Or as plugging the device into a wall socket.

@bsodmike

Since the load is off, there wouldn’t be any sparks due to rubbing contacts?

If a PC PSU is on, even if the device itself is off, it’s possible to get a small spark as the capacitors charge rapidly, but it’s more on the initial contact than on rubbing. You can always mitigate this by turning off the PSU and I believe most newer ones have built-in inrush current limitetrs anyway.

@bsodmike

but what if you have a bigger load that has a high inrush current - would you see sparks/frying if attempting the above?

Same as plugging into wall socket, really.