Categories

IEC 60320 Power Cords

IEC 60320 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines non-locking appliance couplers for connecting power supply cords to electrical devices. These couplers are commonly used for household and general-purpose appliances,though North American certifications (e.g., UL, CSA) often allow higher currents for certain types to accommodate 120 V systems. The standard,  enables detachable power cords, making it easier for manufacturers to produce globally compatible devices without region-specific wiring. Connectors are not keyed or color-coded for voltage, so users must ensure compatibility with local mains power.Below is a reference table summarizing key IEC 60320 connector pairs, their ratings, grounding, and typical uses. Ratings reflect international standards unless noted

  • C1 / C2 250 V, 2.5 A 125 V, 10 A Small electronics like electric shavers (largely obsolete).
  • C5 / C6 (Cloverleaf/Mickey Mouse) 250 V, 2.5 A 125 V, 13 A Laptop chargers, portable projectors, LCD monitors, some TVs.
  • C7 / C8 (Figure-8) 250 V, 2.5 A 125 V, 10 AAudio equipment, game consoles, battery chargers, double-insulated devices.
  • C9 / C10 250 V, 6 A Older hi-fi synthesizers and effects units (e.g., Roland).
  • C13 / C14 (Standard IEC) 250 V, 10 A 125/250 V, 15 A PCs, monitors, printers, instrument amps, video game consoles (most common types).
  • C15 / C16 (Hot Condition) 250 V, 10 A 125/250 V, 15 A High-temp devices like electric kettles, enterprise IT equipment.
  • C17 / C18 250 V, 10 A 125/250 V, 15 A Xbox power supplies, CPAP machines, some TVs and typewriters.
  • C19 / C20 250 V, 16 A 125/250 V, 20 A High-power servers, PDUs, data center equipment, large routers.
  • C21 / C22 250 V, 16 A (155°C)125/250 V, 20 A High-temp variant of C19/C20, e.g., stage lighting.
  • C23 / C24 250 V, 16 A Unearthed high-current Class II appliances.