IEC-320 Appliance Connectors

The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is the international standards and conformity assessment body for all fields of electrotechnology.

 

A set of thirteen plugs (called the appliance inlet in the specification) and thirteen matching sockets (called the connector) are defined by specification IEC 60320. A set of 11 appliance-inlets/connectors are defined in specification AS/NZS 60320.1:2004.

 

The plugs and sockets have either two or three conductors to suit either Class I or Class II equipment with varying current capacities and temperature ratings.

A plug's matching socket is designated by an odd number that is one number lower than the even number assigned to the plug. Therefore, a C14 plug fits into a C13 socket, a C20 plug fits a C19 socket etc.

 

The information in the table below is based on the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 60320.1:2004.

Connector Type

Connector (1)

Appliance
 Inlet (2)

Class of Equipment (3)

Maximum
Temperature of Appliance Inlet(2)

Rated Current of Appliance Coupler(4)
(RMS Amps)

iec320-c1 appliance connector

C1

C2

II

70°C

0.2

iec320-c5 appliance connector

C5

C6

I

70°C

2.5

iec320-c7 appliance connector

C7

C8

II

70°C

2.5

iec320-c9 appliance connector

C9

C10

II

70°C

6.0

iec320-c13 appliance connector

C13

C14

I

70°C

10.0

iec320-c15 appliance connector

C15

C16

I

120°C

10.0

iec320-c15a appliance connector

C15A

C16A

I

155°C

10.0

iec320-c17 appliance connector

C17

C18

II

70°C

10.0

iec320-c19 appliance connector

C19

C20

I

70°C

16.0

iec320-c21 appliance connector

C21

C22

I

155°C

16.0

iec320-c23 appliance connector

C23

C24

II

70°C

16.0

The information in the table below is based on IEC 60320

Connector Type

Connector (1)

Appliance
 Inlet (2)

Class of Equipment (3)

Maximum
Temperature of Appliance Inlet(2)

Rated Current of Appliance Coupler(4)
(RMS Amps)

iec320-c3 appliance connector

C3

C4

II

70°C

2.5

iec320-c11 appliance connector

C11

C12

II

70°C

10.0

 

(1) Connector: Part of the appliance coupler integral with, or intended to be attached to, the cord connected to the supply. Only one cord is connected to the Connector.

(2) Appliance Inlet: Part of the Appliance Coupler integrated or incorporated in the appliance or equipment or intended to be fixed to it. An Appliance Inlet integrated in an appliance or equipment is an Appliance Inlet (the shroud and base of) which is formed by the housing of the appliance or equipment. An Appliance Inlet incorporated in an appliance or an equipment is a separate Appliance Inlet built in or fixed to an appliance or equipment.

(3) Class of Equipment: Class I equipment has an earth connector. Class II equipment has only active & neutral pins with no earth.

(4)Appliance Coupler:A means of enabling the connection and disconnection at will, of a cord to an appliance or other equipment. It consists of two parts: a Connector and an Appliance inlet.