Every Connector Pair, Explained
Quick answer
- Even numbers are always female cord connectors, the next odd number up is the matching male equipment inlet, C13 pairs with C14.
- C13/C14 (10A) is the standard IT connector, C19/C20 (16A) is the standard for high-current data centre equipment, and the two are not interchangeable.
- Access Communications stocks the full IEC connector range, including locking variants for rack and server room installations.
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 |  |
Wondering why a cord's mains plug and IEC connector can show different current ratings? See our Understanding Power Cord Ratings guide.
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