¶ KBA-043 - IEC 60320 Power Connector Identification
Summary Identification guide for IEC 60320 power connectors and cable combinations commonly found in IT and data centre environments, including PDU types.
¶ Numbering Convention
IEC 60320 connector numbers follow a consistent odd/even pattern:
- Odd numbers (C13, C15, C19) — female connectors. These are the cable-end couplers that plug into equipment or inlets.
- Even numbers (C14, C16, C20) — male connectors. These are appliance inlets found on equipment and on the power-input side of PDUs; they receive the female cable end.
¶ IEC 60320 Connectors
| Connector | Gender | Key Visual Feature | Typical Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| C13 | Female (odd) | Three slots in a triangular arrangement; no notch on the connector body | Cable end plugging into equipment, PDU outlets |
| C14 | Male (even) | Three pins in a triangular arrangement; trapezoidal rectangular body | PDU inlets, UPS output sockets, some switches |
| C15 | Female (odd) | Identical to C13 but with a small notch cut into one edge of the connector body | Cable end for hot condition equipment |
| C19 | Female (odd) | Large rectangular body; three slots; notched sides | High-current cable end |
| C20 | Male (even) | Large rectangular body; three exposed pins | High-current PDU and UPS inlets |
⚠️ C13 vs C15: The only visual difference between a C13 and a C15 is the notch on the C15 connector body. Always check for the notch before assuming a connector is a C13, particularly when working with server or high-temperature equipment cabling.
¶ Common Cable Combinations
| Cable | Connectors | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| C13 to C14 | Female C13 — Male C14 | IEC extension lead; extends a PDU outlet to rack equipment |
| C13 to BS1363 | Female C13 — UK 3-pin plug | Standard UK mains power cable for general IT equipment |
| C15 to C14 | Female C15 — Male C14 | Hot condition extension lead |
| C15 to BS1363 | Female C15 — UK 3-pin plug | Hot condition equipment to UK mains supply; visually identical to C13 to BS1363 from the plug end |
| C19 to C20 | Female C19 — Male C20 | High-current extension; connects UPS or building supply to high-current PDUs |
⚠️ C13 and C15 to BS1363 Cables: A C13 to BS1363 cable and a C15 to BS1363 cable are visually identical when viewed from the plug end. Always inspect the IEC end to confirm whether the connector has a notch (C15) before use.
¶ C13 to C14
IEC extension lead; extends a PDU outlet to rack equipment.
¶ C13 to BS1363
Standard UK mains power cable for general IT equipment.
¶ C15 to C14
Hot condition extension lead.
¶ C15 to BS1363
Hot condition equipment to UK mains supply.
¶ C19 to C20
High-current extension; connects UPS or building supply to high-current PDUs.
¶ PDUs — Power Distribution Units
A PDU (Power Distribution Unit) distributes mains power to multiple outlets within a rack. PDUs are available in two common outlet types in UK environments.
¶ BS1363 PDU
A rack-mounted PDU fitted with BS1363 (standard UK 3-pin) outlets. Typically 1U horizontal form factor. Power input is via a hardwired cable terminated in a standard UK plug or a direct feed. Used in environments where equipment connects via standard UK plugs rather than IEC connectors.
Key characteristics:
- Outlets: BS1363 (UK 3-pin)
- Inlet: hardwired cable
- Form factor: 1U horizontal rack mount
- Includes a circuit breaker for overload protection
¶ C13 PDU
A rack-mounted PDU fitted with C13 outlets (female, odd-numbered), fed by a C20 inlet (male, even-numbered) at one end. The C20 inlet is connected to a C19 cable from a UPS or building power feed. This is the most common PDU type in data centre and server room racks.
Key characteristics:
- Outlets: C13 (female, odd) — accepts C13 to C14 cables to equipment
- Inlet: C20 (male, even) — fed by a C19 cable from UPS or building supply
- Form factor: 1U horizontal rack mount
- Equipment connects using C13 to C14 extension leads
