Securing power cables

Solution 1:

There is at least one solution - IEC Lock - that I'm aware of. I think it's based on some kind of spring-friction mechanism and fits existing sockets. I haven't personally seen the need to try any locking solutions, so YMMV.

Places selling those can be found e.g. searching with Google. Prices are around 3-4 USD, so I'd say it's relatively cheap.

Solution 2:

Every rack mount server I have purchased in the last 5 years, has came with power cable strain relief clips of some kind. If properly used it would take a lot of force to pull the power cable.

Solution 3:

Enterprise class servers and PDUs have them built-in already! :-)

Solution 4:

I have used Panduit cable-tie anchors for this sort of thing. They have small "loops" through which you pass a cable tie and are backed with adhesive to stick to the chassis.

I use mostly IBM servers and they have various methods of anchoring the power cable. NetApp filers are the same way, as are Juniper switches and I think routers.