Interpower IEC 60320 Component Application & Terminology

One of the most efficient and universal ways to export electrical equipment worldwide is by incorporating IEC 60320 electrical cords, cord sets, and components into your electrical design. This allows exporters to create one product for sale worldwide without warehousing shelves of country-specific components.

Components include:

• Inlet
• Outlet
• Connector
• Plug connector
• Jumper cord set
• APS (Contains IEC inlet/outlets)
• PDU (Contains IEC inlets/outlets)

	The IEC 60320 inlet (e.g., C14, C16, C18, etc.) is the part of the appliance coupler that provides power to the equipment via connection with the connector. Interpower offers snap-in and screw-mount options. This is the correct nomenclature for IEC inlets.
	The IEC 60320 outlet is the part of the coupler that provides power to peripheral equipment via connection with the plug connector. Interpower offers snap-in and screw-mount options. IEC refers to these as Sheet B, D, F, H, J, and L outlets. Four of the most common are Sheets E, F, I and J. Since these are often confused with “C” inlets and connectors (e.g., C14 mistaken for a Sheet E), it’s recommended to refer to them as “Sheets” to avoid product confusion.
	The IEC 60320 connector is commonly molded or assembled on to flexible cable. Two of the most common connectors offered by Interpower are IEC 60320 C13 and C19 (see more on these specific molds below).
	The corresponding component to the outlet is the IEC 60320 plug connector, which is commonly molded or assembled on to flexible cable. These mate with the Sheet outlets listed above.
	A jumper cord set is a combination of a connector and a plug connector on flexible cable.

“The advantage of using IEC 60320 components is making products globally accessible,” said Ron Barnett, Interpower’s Product Development Manager. “For example, an IEC 60320 connector can be attached to a detachable cord set with a country-specific plug. The connector will provide the power to the equipment by connecting with an IEC 60320 inlet in the equipment. The use of IEC 60320 components designed into a product allow the same equipment to be used in a variety of markets.”

A connector and inlet allow manufacturers to make one product that can be used in many different markets by only having to change the cord set. Each type of connector (female) and inlet (male) is identified by the letter “C” followed by a number, where the number of the appliance inlet is one higher than the number for the corresponding connector. The most widely used Interpower IEC 60320 connectors and inlets: C5 and C6, C7 and C8, C13 and C14, C15 and C16, C19 and C20.

An interconnection appliance coupler is the combination of a plug connector and an outlet that enables the connection and disconnection of equipment to a cord leading to other equipment. It provides power from one equipment or appliance to another. Each type of plug connector (male) and outlet (female) is identified by a “Sheet” corresponding to a letter (e.g., E, F, I, J). 

IEC 60320 C13 and C19 Connectors

Interpower molds five different IEC 60320 C13 and C19 connector configurations for North American and international use. The various angles allow for connections to be made to equipment helping to eliminate the possibility of pinched or tangled cable, which can provide a safer routing of the cable. These are ideal for areas where space is limited between the equipment and the wall or where cord lengths need to be kept to a minimum for a tight or clean look, such as on equipment racks.

Common uses for the C13 and C19 connectors include medical, testing, and IT equipment, as well as commercial and home appliances, data centers, power distribution devices, and the industrial food service industry.