IEC (60320) Outlets

The IEC 60320 standard covers a variety of sockets/outlets & plugs/inlets which are truly universal in usage.

This standard allows equipment manufactures to product a single piece of equipment for worldwide distribution, with the power cable being added to the box at the point of entry to a given territory.

For 10A, the socket/outlet is called C13, or IEC C13, or IEC 60320 C13 - with the corresponding 10A plug/inlet called a C14.

In the USA, this outlet is rated to 16A @ 110VAC, which can cause some confusion

For 16A, the socket/outlet is called C19, or IEC C19, or IEC 60320 C19 - with the corresponding 16A plug/inlet called a C20

In the USA, this outlet is rated to 20A @ 110VAC, which can cause some confusion

We offer IEC power strip's or IEC PDUs in a large variety of configurations in both Horizontal (1RU, 2RU etc..) or Vertical (0RU) mounting.

Standard IEC 60320 outlets

IEC C13 10A socket

This outlet is still the most common outlet found "in the wild". It allows for high density stacking of outlets in enterprise-grade PDUs.

Due to the wide range of plugs being manufactured and their individual manufacturing tolerances, some particular variants do 'slip out' of the socket more easily than others leading to a continually growing market of 'locking' or secure outlets.

This has included both external-to-socket clips & cable ties, as well as a variety of locking sockets with different internal locking mechanisms.

IEC C19 16A socket

The next most common IEC 60320 outlet is the 16A version. It also allows for high density stacking of outlets, and provides for high-current equipment which is becoming more commonplace as complexity of computer systems increases.

Non-standard IEC 60320 outlets - Typically unavailable

IEC C5 2.5A - "Clover" or "Mickey Mouse" socket

IEC 60320 C5 2.5A socket on flex

The IEC C5 connector is designed for lower current devices, which suits a switchable power supply for a laptop, but doesn't suit a PDU, which needs to cater for as device options as possible.

On the other hand, if we did product a PDU with IEC C5 connectors, you the customer would be stuck trying to source cables with an IEC C6 plug. So far, we have only ever seen an IEC C6 connector (the male, mating connector for the IEC C5) as an inlet (on equipment) or on an adaptor (typically IEC C6 > IEC C13).

A GPO 10A > IEC C5 is the most common cable that would help to connect your IEC C6 inlet to an Australian GPO-based PDU. But more recently, the IEC C14 > IEC C5 cable has become increasingly available in Australia with local approvals and various lengths. This is great news for installations who have allready embrased the higher density IEC-based outlet PDUs and require appropriate cabling for connecting these devices.

IEC C7 2.5A - "Figure 8" socket

The IEC C7 connector is designed for un-earthed & non-polarised lower current devices.

Essentially the reasons are the same as for the IEC C5 above. There is very low/zero availability for cables with the matching IEC C8 connector (the male, mating connector for the IEC C7). It was not conceived that consumers would ever want to extended or distribute with this connector.

A GPO 2pin > IEC C7 is the most common cable that would help connect your IEC C8 inlet to an Australian GPO-based PDU.

Despite nearly constant requests, if appears unlikley we will ever be able to get an IEC C14 > IEC C7 cable. Strictly, it would need to be a IEC C18 (2pin variant of C14) > IEC C7, and there has not been enough annual demand to cover the costs of mass-production.

IEC C15 10A - High Temperature 120'C socket

The IEC C15 connector has been designed for use with equipment that typically runs at higher temperatures. Many Cisco and other server's have the IEC C16 inlet (male, mating connector for the IEC C15).

Both the IEC C15 connector and the cable that it is moulded to (typically rubber) can cope with higher temperatures.

Because the critical issue is high temperatures of running equipment, there is no real need for IEC C15 sockets at the distribution (PDU) end. Higher temperatures are not typically found at the PDU, and the standard and more readily available IEC C13 are suitable.

Additionally, cabling with an IEC C16 (male, mating connector for the IEC C15) is virtually unheard of.

There are a reasonable range of GPO 10A > IEC C15 cables available on the market, and a wide range of colours available for IEC C14 > IEC C15 cables.

IEC C15a 10A - High Temperature 155'C socket

See comments on the IEC C15 connector. The issues are the same.

IEC C17 outlets - 2pin (No earth)

The IEC C17/C18 connectors are slight variations on IEC C13/C14. They are only 2pin connectors and do not have an earth.

While this is exceedingly common in the 2.5A connectors (see IEC C7), the main reason this would be useful is providing a compliant plug (IEC C18) to allow equipment with an IEC C8 inlet to be connected to an enterprise grade PDU (typically IEC outlets only).

There is some equipment around that does have an IEC C18 inlet for power, however an IEC C13 socket can be plugged into all of this equipment without issue. The result is a very low demand for this particular socket.

IEC C21 16A - High Temperature 155'C socket

See comments on the IEC C15 connector. The issues are the same.

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Email:	sales@racklink.com.au
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