Custom Home Theater installers must implement systems that meet the performance expectations of their customers and are neat and orderly in appearance, reflective of professional quality workmanship. This neat, orderly appearance extends to the equipment rack as well as components in the entertainment space. A challenge for the installer is managing the various interconnect cables and power cords.
Solutions exist for interconnect cable on-site customization. Coaxial cables are regularly pulled from bulk reels located on-site, to the required installation lengths. They are terminated in a fast and consistent high quality manner using industry standard methods and tools. Also, numerous options exist to up-sell these cable accessories.
This is not the case with power cords as the following issues still persist:
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Excess power cord length and a lack of routing flexibility makes equipment rack installations look sloppy. Attempts to make neat, orderly looking equipment rack installations are burdened by having to work with the included 6-foot power cords with straight C-13 connectors. Also, it is not always possible to conceal the power cord that is attached to components in the entertainment space because electrical codes are more restrictive. For example, power cords to televisions and electronic equipment cannot be concealed inside a wall. Exposed power cords attached to front projection and flat screen monitors have been sited in trade journals as a source of customer dissatisfaction. AC power cord appearance and routing is even more important to achieve a professional looking installation.
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Included power cords are made with cheap construction and materials, and lack important features for high-performance installations. For example, bundling power cords with interconnect cables often causes performance degradation as the strong magnetic field surrounding the power cord affects the surrounding signal carrying cables. Shielded power cords should be used to prevent this negative effect. Included power cords typically are unshielded.
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After-market power cords from other cable brands don’t offer compelling performance, or are of questionable quality and construction. These products can be divided into two categories (1) traditional and (2) ‘non-traditional’ design and construction. Traditional designed models (similar to type ‘SJT’) have experienced meager market acceptance at best, even when sold for carry-home installations. Why? Because they are just glorified versions of same design, and suffer from the same performance deficiencies that power cords for audio and video components have for many years. Some non-traditional designs do not even use industry standard materials for conductors and insulation. And none of these non-traditional designs have demonstrated compliance to UL safety requirements.
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Availability and timely response are requirements for the custom installer. Most major manufacturers of audiophile interconnect cables and power cords source these products overseas. To minimize shipping cost, the cords are first produced in sufficient quantities to fill a shipping container. Believe me, that's a lot of cords! It takes time to build such a large quantity. Then you add time for shipping, customs inspections, distribution, and finally delivery to the custom installer. The total offshore sourcing process would take an estimated 10-12 weeks from the time the products are ordered. And no one can predict how many of this shipping container quantity of power cords will be the optimum configuration for future installations - the right length, and straight, 90-degree left or right exiting C-13, or C-19 connector. Bottom line, it's just not feasible for a manufacturer sourcing power cords overseas to deliver custom configurations in a timely manner.
Custom Installers need a ‘validated’ high-performance, quality supplier that can deliver safety approved, custom-configured power cords in a timely manner.
The Solution...
What custom installers need is ESP Power Cords.
Why ESP? Essential Sound Products is focused on doing one thing well - designing and manufacturing the finest ac power cords and distribution components for audio and video applications. ESP power cords’ cutting-edge performance is well documented by numerous trade journal reviews, and our innovative power cord technology has earned a US patent. Because we design and manufacture our products in the USA, Essential Sound Products is uniquely positioned to deliver custom configurations fast - typically 2-3 weeks.
Why Audio/Video Professional (AVP) Series? AVP power cords are the only truly innovative power cords with proven performance that are completely mass-produced, and approved to UL safety standards. In addition, they also meet hospital-grade requirements for enhanced mechanical integrity. UL approval is important because it not only indicates that the product meets safety requirements and establishes limits for safe operation; it insures that these standards are maintained in production via continuous oversight. For a product to receive approval, both the product and production facility must comply. Also, power cords have to pass physical abuse tests to be designated ‘hospital grade’. For example, the cord must withstand being disconnected from a wall outlet by pulling on the cordage at a 90-degree angle, without physical damage or loss of continuity. We don’t recommend this kind of treatment, but we build rugged quality into our AVP power cords so you can be confident that they’ll stand up to the physical demands of residential and light commercial custom installation usage.
AVP Power Cords Feature:
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Patented Multi-Conductor Cord Geometry – AVP power cords are based upon our patented multi-conductor cordage technology incorporated in our high-end audio products since 1995. Thousands of cords have been put in service. Our 10+ years field experience has resulted in continuous refinement and optimization.
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Shielded Cable Construction – a maximum coverage braided shield contains the strong magnetic field that can cause EMI (electro-magnetic interference) in signal cables and components. Heavy shielding means ESP power cords can be bundled with interconnect cables for a neat, professional equipment rack appearance without performance degradation.
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Over-sized Ground Conductor contributes to reduced ground potential and a lower noise floor.
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Oxygen-Free High-Conductivity (OFHC) Copper Conductors for greater detail and enhanced resolution.
- Hospital-Grade Plug (green dot)
- Solid Brass Pins - high quality, resists bending, and ensures good electrical contact.
- Solder and Crimp Termination of conductors to plug and connector pins minimize contact resistance and maximize mechanical integrity.
- Reinforced Cable to Connector Interface – for enhanced durability and reliability in high-abuse environments like the stage and studio
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- IEC Connector – custom molded, C-13 and C-19 styles
- Solid, plain brass contacts
- Solder and crimp termination of conductors to pins
- Reinforced cable to connector interface with integral strain relief
- Optional C-13 (90-deg. LH & RH), C-19 (AVP-14 only)
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- Woven Polyester Cable Jacket – further enhances the cord’s rugged construction providing abrasion resistance and an attractive appearance.
- Designed and manufactured in the USA to the highest quality and reliability standards. AVP power cords are approved to UL-817 and UL-498 requirements for power cord assemblies and hospital-grade mechanical integrity. AVP-16 is rated for 13-AMPS continuous service; AVP-14 is rated for 18-AMPS continuous service. For you our customer, Made in USA means quick delivery of custom orders!
One listen, and nothing else will do. |
