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Every device that plugs into AC mains power needs an inlet on its chassis. Get the inlet wrong and your device will not work with standard power cords in your target market. The three most common IEC 60320 inlets for low-power equipment are the C6, C8, and C14. Each serves a different device category based on current draw, grounding needs, and physical space inside the enclosure. Lanz Electronics produces IEC connectors, power cords, and power entry modules for OEM device builders. This guide covers how to choose between the three inlet types for your next product.
What IEC 60320 Inlet Types Actually Mean
The IEC 60320 Standard and Connector Naming
IEC 60320 is the international standard that defines appliance couplers for AC power. It covers a family of connectors with names like C1, C6, C8, C14, and C20. The number after the C tells you the physical shape, pin count, and current rating. Even numbers are inlets mounted on the device. Odd numbers are the mating connectors on the power cord.
The standard ensures that a cord rated for 10 amps cannot plug into a device that draws 16 amps. Each connector pair has a unique mechanical keying. A C5 cord fits only a C6 inlet. A C13 cord fits only a C14 inlet. This prevents dangerous mismatches and makes cord replacement safe for end users anywhere in the world.
Inlet vs Outlet: Which Side Goes on the Device
The inlet is the socket mounted on the device chassis. It receives the mating connector on the detachable power cord. The inlet is what the device designer specifies during product development. The outlet is the connector on the end of the power cord. Users buy replacement cords with the correct outlet for their region wall plug and the correct connector for their device inlet.
Common inlet and outlet pairs include C6 inlet with C5 cord connector, C8 inlet with C7 cord connector, and C14 inlet with C13 cord connector. When you specify an inlet for your device, you are also deciding which power cord type every user in every market will need to power your product.
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C6 Inlet: Small Devices, Low Current
C6 Physical Shape and Pin Configuration
The C6 inlet has a distinctive cloverleaf shape with three rounded lobes arranged in a triangular pattern. It has three pins: line, neutral, and earth. The earth pin provides a safety ground connection to the device chassis. This makes the C6 inlet suitable for Class I appliances that require a protective earth connection.
The C6 inlet is rated for a maximum of 2.5 amps at 250 volts AC. It is designed for low-power devices that still need a grounded chassis. The inlet body is compact, with the connector face measuring about 22 millimeters wide and 18 millimeters tall. This small footprint fits into slim device enclosures where a full C14 inlet would not fit.
Typical C6 Applications and Current Limits
You see C6 inlets on laptop power adapters, small projector power supplies, and some printer models. Any device that draws under 2.5 amps and uses a detachable power cord with a ground connection is a candidate for a C6 inlet. The cloverleaf cord is recognizable and widely available as a replacement part.
The 2.5 amp limit is the key constraint. If your device draws more current, you must move up to a larger inlet. Do not design a C6 inlet into a product that draws 3 amps. The connector is not rated for it. Temperature rise at the contacts becomes a problem above the rated current, and the connector may fail a safety certification test.
C8 Inlet: The Figure-8 Connector
C8 Design and the Missing Ground Pin
The C8 inlet has a figure-8 shaped opening with two pins: line and neutral. There is no earth pin. This makes the C8 a Class II connector for double-insulated devices that do not require a protective earth connection. The inlet body is even smaller than the C6, typically about 20 millimeters wide.
The rating is the same as the C6 at 2.5 amps and 250 volts AC. The lack of a ground pin means the device enclosure must be fully double-insulated. There can be no exposed metal parts that a user could touch if an internal fault occurs. Products using a C8 inlet must pass Class II safety testing with higher insulation requirements.
Where You See C8 Inlets in Consumer Electronics
C8 inlets appear on devices that are fully enclosed in plastic and draw modest power. Common examples include small audio equipment, DVD players, gaming console power bricks, and some older flat-panel TV models. The figure-8 cord is probably the most recognized power cord shape in consumer electronics.
The polarized version of the C8 is the C8P inlet, which has a squared-off side on one of the figure-8 lobes. This forces the cord to plug in one orientation only. The polarization ensures that the line and neutral connections are consistent, which matters in circuits where the power supply design assumes a specific polarity. Most consumer devices use the non-polarized C8, but some medical and test equipment uses the C8P variant.
C14 Inlet: The Standard for Up to 10 Amps
C14 Dimensions, Earth Pin, and Mating
The C14 inlet is the most widely used IEC inlet in IT equipment and industrial electronics. It has a rectangular body with three flat pins in a horizontal row: earth in the center, line on one side, and neutral on the other. The earth pin is longer than the other two, which means the ground connection is made first when the cord is plugged in and broken last when it is unplugged.
The C14 mates with a C13 cord connector. This is the standard computer power cord found in offices worldwide. The inlet body is larger than the C6 or C8, with the connector face measuring about 26 millimeters wide by 20 millimeters tall. Most device enclosures have enough rear panel space to accommodate this size. The rating is 10 amps at 250 volts AC, which covers the vast majority of single-phase equipment.
Why C14 Is the Default for IT and Industrial Equipment
The C14 inlet became the default for a simple reason: it handles enough current for almost any single-phase device while using a cord that is cheap, available everywhere, and standardized across every country. A server rack, a bench power supply, a network switch, and an industrial touchscreen panel can all use the same C13 cord.
The earth connection is mandatory for metal-enclosed equipment. Any device with a metal chassis must have a protective earth path. The C14 provides that path through the cord back to the building ground. For plastic-enclosed double-insulated devices that draw more than 2.5 amps, a C18 inlet exists as the ungrounded version of the C14 shape, but it is far less common than the C14.
How to Pick Based on Current, Temperature, and Space
- 📐Start with the current draw of your device under maximum load. If it draws 2.5 amps or less, the C6 or C8 may be appropriate. If it draws more, you need the C14. Add a safety margin. Do not run any connector at 100 percent of its rated current in a design. Plan for 80 percent of the rated maximum as a standard engineering margin.
- 🎯The temperature rating of the connector matters when the device runs hot. IEC 60320 connectors come in temperature classes. Standard connectors are rated for 70 degrees Celsius at the pins. High-temperature variants exist for 120 degrees Celsius and above. If your device enclosure runs warm, pick a connector with the appropriate temperature class. The inlet sits on the chassis and absorbs heat from the internal electronics.
- 🔧Space inside the enclosure is the secondary constraint. The C6 and C8 inlets have smaller bodies and shorter penetration depth into the enclosure. If your PCB sits close to the rear panel, a C8 inlet may fit where a C14 would interfere. Measure the available depth behind the panel cutout before committing to a connector type.
- ✅Power entry modules combine the IEC inlet with additional functions in one housing. A typical PEM includes the inlet, a fuse holder, and a power switch. Some also incorporate an EMC filter. These modules save panel space and reduce wiring inside the enclosure. However, they are larger than a bare inlet, so the depth and width constraints become more important. Lanz Electronics offers both discrete inlets and integrated power entry modules with IEC connectors.
LANZ IEC Inlet Options for Your Device
LANZ IEC Connector Product Line
Lanz Electronics supplies IEC 60320 inlets and outlets across the full connector family. The product line includes C6, C8, C14, C18, and C20 inlets in snap-in, screw-mount, and PCB-mount styles. Each connector is manufactured to IEC 60320 specifications and tested for contact resistance, dielectric strength, and insertion force.
Browse the complete IEC Connector product range at LANZ. Inlets are available with or without integrated fuse holders for designs that need a primary overcurrent protection device at the power entry point.
Custom Power Cord Assemblies With IEC Connectors
LANZ also produces custom power cord assemblies for OEMs. If your product ships with a region-specific power cord, LANZ builds the cord with the correct wall plug for the destination country and the correct IEC connector for your device inlet. Cords are available in standard lengths from 1 to 3 meters, with custom lengths available on request.
For device builders who want a single supplier for both the inlet on the chassis and the cord in the box, LANZ provides matched inlet and cord pairs. This eliminates the finger-pointing that happens when the inlet comes from one vendor and the cord from another. The inlet and cord are tested together for insertion force, retention force, and contact resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between C6 and C8 inlets?
The C6 inlet has three pins including an earth pin and uses a cloverleaf-shaped opening. The C8 inlet has only two pins with no earth connection and uses a figure-8 shaped opening. Both are rated for 2.5 amps at 250 volts AC. Choose C6 for grounded devices and C8 for double-insulated devices.
Q: Can I use a C13 cord with a C6 inlet?
No. The C13 cord connector has a different physical shape than the C5 connector that mates with a C6 inlet. IEC 60320 connectors are mechanically keyed to prevent mismatches. A C13 cord will not physically fit into a C6 inlet.
Q: What is the maximum current for a C14 inlet?
The C14 inlet is rated for a maximum of 10 amps at 250 volts AC under IEC 60320. Some manufacturers rate their C14 inlets at 15 amps for 125-volt North American applications. Check the individual connector datasheet for the exact rating at your operating voltage and temperature.
Q: Are C6 and C8 inlets polarized?
Standard C6 and C8 inlets are not polarized and accept the cord in either orientation. Polarized versions exist. The C8P variant has a squared-off lobe that only allows the cord to plug in one way. The C6 does not have a common polarized variant in the market.
Q: Does a C14 inlet need a fuse?
A C14 inlet itself does not require a fuse, but most safety standards require overcurrent protection for the device. Many designs combine a C14 inlet with an integrated fuse holder in a power entry module. This places the fuse at the point where power enters the enclosure, which is the safest location for primary overcurrent protection.
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