IEC60320Inlets

IEC 60320 inlets are appliance-side connectors defined by the IEC 60320 standard that allow detachable power cords to connect to equipment. An inlet is a female contact interface mounted on the device and designed to mate with a corresponding plug on a cord set. The system is intended to enable cord replacement and cross‑manufacturer compatibility while maintaining electrical safety. Common inlet types are designated by the Cx code (for example C14, C20) and have corresponding cord-set plugs (such as C13, C19) that mate with them.

The most widely used pairs are C13/C14 and C19/C20. The C14 inlet on a device typically accepts a C13 plug from a standard power cord rated for about 10 A at 250 V, suitable for many computers and office equipment. For higher power applications, C20 inlets mate with C19 plugs and support higher current (commonly up to 16 A at 250 V). There are additional low-power variants such as C5/C6 (cloverleaf) and C7/C8 (figure‑8), which are used on smaller equipment and lower current requirements. Some inlet variants also exist with higher temperature ratings, such as C15/C16, which share the same electrical footprint with C13/C14 but are rated for hotter operating conditions.

Inlets come in multiple mounting styles, including panel-mounted and chassis- or PCB-mounted configurations, and are designed to be compatible with corresponding cord sets. Selection depends on the device’s current and voltage requirements, the intended environment, and safety standards. Proper pairing of inlet and cord set is essential to ensure reliable connection and compliance with electrical codes.