IEC60320C20

IEC60320 C20 refers to a three-pin appliance inlet defined by the IEC 60320 standard. It is the female connector mounted on electrical equipment that accepts a detachable power cord with a C19 plug. The C20/C19 pairing is designed for higher-current applications and is typically rated for up to 20 amperes at 250 volts AC. This makes it common on servers, network equipment, workstations, and other higher-power devices that require a robust power connection.

Physically, the C20 is a recessed, three-pin inlet on the equipment chassis. It mates with a C19 plug on the power cord, which carries live, neutral, and earth conductors. The connector design provides grounding and polarity protection, and its keying prevents accidental insertion of incompatible, lower-current connectors such as C13/C14.

In typical use, equipment is equipped with a C20 inlet, and a C19-plugged power cord (often sleeved for data centers) is used to connect to a mains power source via a suitable outlet or power distribution unit. This arrangement is widely employed in data centers and enterprise environments due to its higher current capacity and robust construction compared with lower-rating IEC 60320 variants.

Variants and safety considerations: The C20 is one of several IEC 60320 appliance inlets, each with distinct current ratings and footprints. It is important to use cords and outlets that match the C19/C20 pairing and comply with regional electrical codes and the equipment’s specified voltage and current ratings. Improper mating or overrating can pose safety risks and void certifications.