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If you have shopped for a power cord and stared at a list of names like C13, C14, C19, and C20, you are not alone. Those designations look like a secret code. To anyone outside the industry, they read as random letters and numbers.
The system is simpler than it looks. Once you understand the basic logic behind the naming, you can identify most connectors at a glance. This guide walks through the IEC 60320 connector family in plain English, covers the types you will actually see, and makes it easy to pick the right one for your application.
What Are IEC 60320 Connectors?
IEC 60320 is an international standard that defines appliance couplers. An appliance coupler is simply the connection between a power cord and the equipment it feeds. The standard covers a family of connectors and inlets designed for general-purpose use around the world.
When you plug a computer into a wall outlet, the cord has two ends. One end goes into the wall, the other into the computer. That second connection is governed by IEC 60320, which makes sure a cord made in one country fits an appliance made in another.
How the C Numbering Works
The C in each name stands for coupler, and the number tells you the specific shape you are dealing with. The family runs from C1 through C24, with each number a different physical configuration.
Here is the key rule: odd numbers are connectors, and even numbers are inlets. A connector is the end of the cord that plugs into the equipment. An inlet is the socket in the equipment that receives it. So a C13 plugs into a C14, and a C19 plugs into a C20. They come in pairs, and the odd and even numbers match up.
Keep that rule in mind and the family becomes much easier to read. When someone says C14, they mean the socket side. When they say C13, they mean the plug end of the cord.
The Common Series You Will Actually See
The standard family covers C1 through C24, but you will only run into a handful in everyday product design and procurement. These are the ones that show up most often.
C13/C14: The Workhorse
C13 and C14 are the most common IEC 60320 connectors in the world. If you have unplugged a desktop computer, a monitor, or rack-mounted gear, you have touched a C13. The connector is the familiar shape with two flat notches on top and angled pins inside. IEC C13/C14 connectors are the default for computer and IT equipment at standard current levels. If you are not sure what you need, start here.
Variants of the C14 inlet add protection. A C14 connector with a fuse and switch gives the equipment a local overcurrent cutoff and a manual power switch in one part, which is handy for gear that needs a clear off switch at the inlet.
C15/C16: The High-Temperature Version
C15 and C16 look almost identical to C13 and C14, with one difference. The C15 connector has a small notch on one side that lets it fit a C16 inlet. The notch exists for a reason: C16 inlets are found on appliances that run hot, like electric kettles and some commercial equipment. The C15/C16 pair is built to handle higher temperatures than C13/C14. Because of the notch, a C15 will not fit a C14, so you cannot accidentally use a standard cord where a high-temperature one is required.
C19/C20: The Big One for Servers
When you need to move more power, the connector gets bigger. C19 and C20 are the larger rectangular members of the family, used for equipment with higher current demands. You will see them on servers, UPS units, PDUs, and other data center gear. The wide, flat shape makes it impossible to mix up with C13/C14. A C20 inlet needs a C19 cord. Nothing else fits.
C7/C8: The Figure 8
C7 and C8 are the small pair, commonly called the figure 8 connector because of its shape. Two rounded notches give it that look. This pair shows up on small electronics like audio gear, some radios, and certain appliance chargers, and on many notebook power supplies. A C8 power cord is a compact, low-cost option for devices that do not need heavy power delivery.
C5/C6: The Cloverleaf
C5 and C6 go by several nicknames, including cloverleaf and Mickey Mouse, thanks to the three rounded pins in a distinctive outline. This pair is best known for powering laptop chargers, and you will also find it on some projectors and other portable equipment. The C5 is small, but the three-pin shape is easy to spot and hard to confuse with anything else.
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Which One Do You Need?
Once you know the series, choosing one is mostly a matter of matching the inlet on your equipment. In plain terms:
Computers and Standard IT Equipment
Desktop computers, monitors, and most office gear use C13/C14. This is the default for standard IT loads. If your equipment has the familiar rectangular socket with two notches, you need a C13 cord.
Servers and Data Center Equipment
Higher-current gear like servers, UPS units, and power distribution units typically uses C19/C20. Check the inlet. If it is the wide rectangular shape, order C19 cords. The difference is obvious once you see both side by side.
Appliances and Hot Equipment
For appliances that run hot, look for the C15/C16 pair. The notch on the C15 connector is your clue. If an appliance needs high-temperature-rated connections, the inlet will be a C16, and standard C13 cords will not fit by design.
Small Adapters and Portable Devices
Small electronics and laptop chargers use C7/C8 or C5/C6. The figure 8 and the cloverleaf are both compact and light, which makes them a good fit where size matters. Which one you need depends on the inlet your device was built with.
There Are More Types Than These
The series covered here are the ones you will see most, but IEC 60320 includes many more designations. C1/C2, C3/C4, C9/C10, C11/C12, C17/C18, C21/C22, and C23/C24 all exist in the standard, each with its own shape and application. Some are rare today. Others, like C21/C22 and C23/C24, are newer high-current, high-temperature variants showing up in more equipment.
The same logic applies to all of them. Odd numbers are connectors, even numbers are inlets, and each pair is designed to match only its partner. If you come across a designation you do not recognize, you can usually figure out the family from the shape alone.
How to Confirm the Right Specs
Naming tells you the shape, but it does not tell you everything. Current and voltage ratings are not fixed by the C number alone. They vary by design, materials, and variant, so the only reliable way to confirm what a connector can handle is to check the datasheet.
Two C13 connectors from different manufacturers can look identical and still differ in rated current, temperature range, and certifications. If you are specifying connectors for a product, do not rely on the designation alone. Get the datasheet, confirm the ratings against your requirements, and make sure the supplier can document what they ship.
That is where working with a manufacturer directly helps. A manufacturer that builds IEC 60320 connectors and power cords in-house can match the connector to your application, point you to the right datasheets, and handle custom cord sets and OEM orders. The standard gives you a common language. A good supplier helps you use it.
