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IEC connector
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
IEC connector is the common name for the set of thirteen line sockets (called the connector in the specification) and thirteen panel plugs (called the inlet) defined by International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specification IEC 60320 (formerly IEC 320). When used with no other qualifiers, "IEC connector" usually refers specifically to the C13 and C14 connectors.
Some types also come in line plug and panel socket versions to use as outlets but these are less common. They include two and three-conductor plugs of various current capacities and temperature
ratings, all designed specifically for the purpose of attaching a mains power cord to a piece of equipment. Allowing an interchangeable mains power cord makes it very easy for equipment
manufacturers to sell their equipment anywhere in the world as long as their equipment can operate on both 120/240 volt, 50/60 Hz mains power.
In each case, the matching inlet is designated by the even number one greater than the odd number assigned to the line socket, so a C1 fits a C2, and a C15A fits a C16A. Most are polarised
(though of course being a worldwide standard they will frequently be connected to wall outlets that are unpolarised), the exceptions being the C1, some C7 and all C9 plugs. All voltage ratings are
250 V AC. All have maximum temperature ratings of 70 C unless noted.
Contents
1 Appliance Classes
2 C1 and C2 connectors
3 C3 and C4 connectors
4 C5 and C6 connectors
5 C7 and C8 connectors
6 C9 and C10 connectors
7 C11 and C12 connectors
8 C13 and C14 connectors
9 C15 and C16 connectors
10 C17 and C18 connectors
11 C19 and C20 connectors
12 C21 and C22 connectors
13 C23 and C24 connectors
14 Power Entry Modules
15 See also
16 References
Appliance Classes
In addition to being grounded or not, these plugs are differentiated according to their IEC protection class.
Class 0 appliances have no protective-earth connection and feature only a single level of insulation.
Class I appliances must have their chassis connected to electrical earth.
Class II double insulated electrical appliances have been designed in such a way that they do not require a safety connection to electrical earth.
Class III appliances are designed to be supplied from a SELV (Separated or Safety Extra-Low Voltage) power source.
C1 and C2 connectors
2-conductor 0.2 A, unpolarised. C1 is commonly used for shavers.
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C3 and C4 connectors
2-conductor 2.5 A
C5 and C6 connectors
The C5 3-conductor 2.5 A is sometimes colloquially called "Mickey Mouse" (because the cross section looks like the silhouette of
the Disney character) or "Cloverleaf".
This connector is seen on the majority of laptop power supplies and portable projectors, and notably on the Apple desktop
computer iMac G4.
C5 line socket
C7 and C8 connectors
The C7 and C8 connectors, with two pins rated at 2.5 A, exist in both polarised and unpolarised versions.
The unpolarised C7 is commonly known as a "Figure 8" or "shotgun" connector due to its shape. The polarised C7
is asymmetrical, with one end rounded similarly to the unpolarised version, and the other squared off.
These connectors are often used for small cassette recorders, battery/mains operated radios, some full size AV
equipment, laptop computer power supplies, video game consoles, and similar double-insulated appliances.
Unpolarised C7 connectors can be inserted into polarized C8 sockets; however, doing so might be a safety risk if
the device is designed to expect a polarised power connection.
Unpolarised C8 Connector.
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C9 2-connector 6A
Cables with a C14 line plug at one end and a C13 line socket at the other are commonly available, and are nearly always un-fused. They have a variety of
common uses including connecting power between older PCs and their monitors, extending existing power cords, connecting to C13 socket strips (commonly
used with rackmount gear to save space and for international standardization) and connecting computer equipment to the output of a UPS (larger UPSs often
have C19 outlets as well.)
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Many people are not aware of the subtle differences between the C13/C14 and C15/C16 connectors, and so all are loosely referred to as kettle plug and kettle lead (in the UK) and jug plug (in
Australia) when referring to these mains cords.
In Britain the C15 and C16 connectors have replaced and made obsolete the appliance plug in most applications.
Two variations:
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See also
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_connector
15/6/2009