Every Connector Pair, Explained
IEC 60320 is the international standard that defines appliance couplers for connecting power cords to electrical equipment. Every desktop computer, server, UPS, PDU, monitor, laptop adapter, and kettle cord you encounter uses a connector from this standard. This guide covers every connector pair, their nicknames, real-world applications, physical dimensions, compatibility rules, and when to use locking variants.
Guide Index
- How to Read an IEC 60320 Connector Designation
- Full Connector Reference Table
- The Four Connector Pairs You Will Encounter Most
- Physical Dimensions
- Compatibility Rules: What Fits What
- Locking IEC Connectors: When and Why
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Read an IEC 60320 Connector Designation
IEC 60320 uses a simple numbering system. Every connector pair consists of a female connector (the cord end) and a male appliance inlet (on the equipment). The rule is consistent throughout the standard: the female connector always has an even number, and the matching male inlet is the next odd number up.
- Even number = female connector (on the cord, plugs into the equipment)
- Odd number = male appliance inlet (on the equipment, receives the cord)
So a C13 is the female connector on the cord. It plugs into the C14 male inlet on the equipment. A C19 cord plugs into a C20 inlet. This rule holds across every pair in the standard without exception.
The standard also uses a letter prefix to indicate the protection class:
- C prefix (no suffix): Standard temperature rating, 70°C
- C prefix with A suffix (e.g. C15A, C16A): High temperature, 155°C, unearthed
- C15/C16: High temperature, 120°C, earthed
Full Connector Reference Table
The table below covers all connector pairs defined in AS/NZS 60320.1:2022, the current Australian and New Zealand version of the standard.
| Connector (Female) | Inlet (Male) | Nickname | Class | Max Temp. | Rated Current | Common Applications | Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | C2 | Shaver connector | II | 70°C | 0.2A | Electric shavers, small personal care devices |  |
| C5 | C6 | Mickey Mouse / Cloverleaf | I | 70°C | 2.5A | Laptop power adapters, projectors, some small televisions |  |
| C7 | C8 | Figure-8 / Butterfly / Infinity | II | 70°C | 2.5A | Laptop power adapters, radios, some audio equipment, some gaming consoles |  |
| C13 | C14 | Kettle cord / IEC cord | I | 70°C | 10A | Desktop computers, monitors, UPS units, PDU patch cables, servers, network switches, AV equipment |  |
| C15 | C16 | Hot condition connector | I | 120°C | 10A | Electric kettles, hot beverage equipment, devices near heat sources |  |
| C15A | C16A | Very hot condition connector | I | 155°C | 10A | High-temperature industrial and commercial equipment |  |
| C17 | C18 | Unearthed IEC cord | II | 70°C | 10A | Double-insulated equipment requiring high current without an earth conductor |  |
| C19 | C20 | High-current IEC / Data centre cord | I | 70°C | 16A | High-density servers, blade chassis, large UPS units, rack PDUs, enterprise networking equipment |  |
| C21 | C22 | High-current hot condition | I | 155°C | 16A | High-current equipment in high-temperature environments |  |
The Four Connector Pairs You Will Encounter Most
C13 / C14: The Standard IT and AV Power Connector
The C13/C14 pair is the most common IEC 60320 connector in IT, AV, and commercial electrical work. If someone says "kettle cord" or "IEC cord", they mean a C13/C14. The C13 female connector is on the detachable power cord. The C14 male inlet is built into the equipment.
You will find C14 inlets on desktop computers, monitors, UPS units, managed switches, rack-mount servers, PDUs, AV receivers, and most commercial and professional equipment. The C13/C14 pair is rated at 10A and 70°C.
Browse our range of IEC C13 Power Cords, including standard, right-angle, and locking variants.
C19 / C20: High-Current Data Centre Standard
The C19/C20 pair handles 16A and is the standard for high-current rack equipment. C20 inlets are found on high-density servers, blade server chassis, large UPS units, and rack PDUs. The C19/C20 connectors are physically larger than C13/C14 and not interchangeable with them, which prevents accidental under-rated connections in high-current installations.
In a typical data centre rack, the PDU will have C19 outlets supplying power to servers and network gear with C20 inlets. Patch cords from C14 to C13 handle the lower-current devices.
Browse our range of IEC C19 Power Cords, including standard and locking variants.
C5 / C6: Mickey Mouse
The three-lobe triangular shape of the C5 connector gives it its universal nickname: the Mickey Mouse connector. It is also sometimes called a cloverleaf. The C5/C6 pair is rated at 2.5A, making it suitable for low-power devices only. It is most commonly found on laptop power adapters and projector power supplies.
Important: The C5 and C7 are sometimes confused. The C5 (Mickey Mouse) is triangular and has three conductors including an earth pin, making it a Class I connector. The C7 (Figure-8) is oval and has only two conductors, making it Class II (double insulated). They are not interchangeable.
Browse our range of IEC C5 Power Cords
C7 / C8: Figure-8
The symmetrical oval shape of the C7 connector looks like a figure-8, which is its universally used nickname. Also called a butterfly connector. Because it has no earth pin, it is used only on Class II (double insulated) equipment. It is non-polarised, meaning it can be inserted either way. Common on laptop adapters, radios, and some portable audio equipment.
Browse our range of IEC C7 Power Cords
Physical Dimensions
The dimensions below cover the four most common connector pairs. These are critical when selecting panel cutouts, cable entry grommets, or specifying connector bodies for custom builds.
| Pair | Width | Height | Depth (connector body) | Current |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C5 / C6 | 18.6mm | 18.6mm | ~30mm | 2.5A |
| C7 / C8 | 27.8mm | 14.0mm | ~27mm | 2.5A |
| C13 / C14 | 29.0mm | 20.8mm | ~35mm | 10A |
| C19 / C20 | 44.0mm | 24.0mm | ~40mm | 16A |
Compatibility Rules: What Fits What
The most important compatibility rules to know before specifying or replacing IEC power cords:
C13 and C15: Partial Compatibility
C13 and C15 connectors look almost identical. The critical difference is a small notch on the C15 that is absent on C13. This notch means a C15 cord will fit both C14 and C16 inlets. A C13 cord will fit a C14 inlet but will NOT fit a C16 inlet. The notch on the C16 inlet physically blocks the C13 connector. This is a deliberate safety feature preventing standard cords from being used on high-temperature equipment.
C13 and C19: Not Compatible
C13 and C19 connectors are different sizes and cannot be swapped. A C13 cord will not fit a C20 inlet, and a C19 cord will not fit a C14 inlet. The size difference is deliberate: it prevents 10A-rated cords from being used on 16A circuits.
C5 and C7: Not Compatible
The C5 (Mickey Mouse) and C7 (Figure-8) are both small connectors and are sometimes confused, but they are different shapes and not interchangeable. The C5 is triangular with three conductors; the C7 is oval with two. Always check the shape before ordering a replacement laptop or portable device cord.
Class I vs Class II
Class I equipment has an earth connection (3-conductor cord required). Class II equipment is double-insulated (2-conductor cord acceptable). Using a 2-conductor cord on Class I equipment removes the earth protection. Never replace a 3-conductor C13 cord with a 2-conductor C17 cord unless the equipment is specifically rated Class II.
Locking IEC Connectors: When and Why
Standard IEC connectors rely on friction to stay connected. In most installations this is sufficient, but in rack environments, server rooms, and any situation where cables are moved, dressed, or under tension, accidental disconnection is a genuine risk. An unexpected power loss to a server, storage array, or network device causes immediate downtime and potential data corruption.
Locking IEC connectors solve this with a mechanism that clips the connector body to the inlet, requiring a deliberate release action to disconnect. The cord seats exactly like a standard IEC cord and is fully compatible with standard inlets, but it cannot be accidentally pulled free.
Where Locking Connectors Are Used
- Data centres and server rooms: C13 to C14 patch cords between PDUs and servers or switches. Accidental disconnection of a primary power feed during maintenance or cable dressing is one of the most common causes of unplanned downtime.
- UPS output connections: Cords from a UPS to connected equipment. A cord that pulls free under load defeats the entire purpose of having a UPS.
- Rack-mounted AV and broadcast equipment: Equipment that vibrates or is frequently accessed for maintenance.
- Communications cabinets: Any environment where multiple people work in the same rack and cable movement is frequent.
Colour Coding in Rack Environments
In high-availability installations with dual power supplies, colour-coded IEC cords are standard practice. The convention is to use one colour (commonly red or black) for the primary power feed and a second colour (commonly blue) for the secondary feed. This makes it immediately obvious which cord supplies which circuit during fault-finding and reduces the risk of accidentally disconnecting the wrong supply during maintenance.
Browse our range of IEC Locking Power Cords, available in standard and right-angle configurations for C13/C14 and C19/C20 pairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an IEC 60320 connector?
IEC 60320 is the international standard defining appliance couplers: the standardised connectors used to connect detachable power cords to electrical equipment. The standard covers connectors from 0.2A (shavers) up to 16A (data centre equipment) at up to 250V. In Australia, the standard is adopted as AS/NZS 60320.1:2022.
What is the difference between C13 and C14?
The C13 is the female connector on the detachable power cord. The C14 is the male appliance inlet built into the equipment. They are a matched pair: the C13 plugs into the C14. Both are rated at 10A and 70°C. The C13/C14 pair is the most common IEC connector in IT and commercial electrical work.
What is a kettle cord?
Kettle cord is the everyday name for a C13/C14 IEC power cord. The name comes from the fact that the same connector was originally used on electric kettles before it became the universal standard for computers, monitors, and IT equipment. Not all kettle cords are the same: the C15/C16 variant (which looks almost identical) is rated for 120°C and is the technically correct type for actual electric kettles, which generate heat near the connector.
Will a C13 cord fit a C16 inlet?
No. A C16 inlet (used on electric kettles and high-temperature equipment) has a small notch that physically prevents a standard C13 cord from being inserted. A C15 cord will fit a C16 inlet. A C15 cord will also fit a standard C14 inlet, so a C15 cord is backwards-compatible with C14 equipment, but a C13 cord is not forward-compatible with C16 equipment.
What is the difference between C19 and C13?
C19 and C13 are different sizes designed for different current ratings. The C13/C14 pair is rated at 10A. The C19/C20 pair is rated at 16A. The C19 connector is physically larger than C13 and will not fit a C14 inlet. This size difference is a deliberate safety feature preventing under-rated cords from being used on high-current circuits. C19/C20 is the standard for high-density servers, blade chassis, and large UPS units.
What is a Mickey Mouse connector?
Mickey Mouse connector is the nickname for the C5/C6 IEC 60320 connector pair. The three-lobe triangular shape of the C5 female connector resembles the silhouette of Mickey Mouse's head. It is rated at 2.5A and is most commonly found on laptop power adapters and projector power supplies. It is also called a cloverleaf connector. The C5 is sometimes confused with the C7 (Figure-8) connector, but the two are different shapes and not interchangeable.
What is a Figure-8 connector?
Figure-8 connector is the nickname for the C7/C8 IEC 60320 connector pair. The oval symmetrical shape of the C7 female connector looks like the number 8. It is a two-conductor (unearthed) connector rated at 2.5A, used on Class II double-insulated equipment such as laptop adapters, radios, and portable audio devices. It is also called a butterfly connector.
Why should I use locking IEC connectors?
Standard IEC connectors rely on friction alone to stay connected. In rack environments, server rooms, and anywhere cables are regularly moved or dressed, accidental disconnection is a real risk. Locking IEC connectors clip to the inlet and require a deliberate release action to disconnect, eliminating accidental power loss to critical equipment. They are fully compatible with standard IEC inlets. See our range of IEC Locking Power Cords.
What does Class I and Class II mean on IEC connectors?
Class I equipment uses a 3-conductor cord with an earth connection (C13, C15, C19). Class II equipment is double insulated and uses a 2-conductor cord without earth (C7, C17). Never replace a Class I 3-conductor cord with a Class II 2-conductor cord unless the equipment nameplate specifically states Class II.
Can I cut the plug off a power cord and replace it with a different connector?
Modifying a mains-connected flexible cord by cutting and replacing the plug or any connector is electrical work under Australian law and must only be performed by a licensed electrician. Doing so without a licence breaches electrical safety legislation in every state and territory, and the modified cord loses its compliance certification.
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