IEC 60320 Connector Types Explained: C5, C7, C13, C14, C15, C19, C20
Updated 2026-10-02 · Shenzhen Coptic Electronics Co., Ltd.
IEC 60320 defines the couplers at the equipment end of a detachable power cord. Odd numbers are the connectors on the cord (female), and the next even number is the matching inlet on the equipment: a C13 cord plugs into a C14 inlet, a C19 cord into a C20 inlet.
Connector overview
| Connector | Mating inlet | Poles | Rating | Typical use | CPENT model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C5 (cloverleaf) | C6 | 2P+E | 2.5 A | Laptop adapters, small electronics | CPT-02 |
| C7 (figure-8) | C8 | 2P | 2.5 A | TVs, audio-video, game consoles, Class II adapters | CPT-07 |
| C13 | C14 | 2P+E | 10 A | Computers, monitors, printers | CPT-01 / 03 |
| C14 (male) | C13 | 2P+E | 10 A | PDU and UPS jumper cords | CPT-19 |
| C15 (hot condition) | C16 | 2P+E | 10 A | Kettles, heaters, some network switches | CPT-01C |
| C19 | C20 | 2P+E | 16 A | Servers, UPS, storage, network equipment | CPT-04 |
| C20 (male) | C19 | 2P+E | 16 A | PDU and UPS jumper cords | CPT-20A |
C13 vs C15
A C15 looks like a C13 with a notch below the earth contact. It is rated for pins that reach 120 °C, so it fits hot appliances with a C16 inlet. A C15 also fits a standard C14 inlet, but a C13 will not fit a C16 inlet. That keeps a low-temperature cord away from a hot appliance.
C13 vs C19
C13 is rated 10 A. C19 is rated 16 A, with larger, horizontally oriented contacts. The shapes are deliberately incompatible so a 16 A load cannot be fed through a 10 A cord.
Jumper cords
Rack equipment is often powered from a PDU or UPS through jumper cords with an IEC connector at both ends: C13 to C14 for 10 A loads, C19 to C20 for 16 A loads, and C19 to C14 or C13 to C20 for mixed loads. To power a standard household plug from a C19 outlet, use a C20 to Schuko socket lead.
Building a complete cord set
Any IEC connector can be combined with any national plug from our power cord range, for example a Schuko plug with a C13 for Europe or a NEMA 5-15 plug with a C13 for North America. The cable type must be approved for the destination market; see the cable code guide.