IEC 60320
IEC 60320 Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes[1] is a set of standards from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifying non-locking connectors for connecting power supply cords to electrical appliances of voltage not exceeding 250 V (a.c.) and rated current not exceeding 16 A.
[1] Different types of connector (distinguished by shape and size) are specified for different combinations of current, temperature and earthing requirements.
The standard uses the terms "male" and "female" only for individual pins and socket contacts, but in general usage they are also applied to the complete plugs and connectors.
An appliance with a permanently-attached plug for use in one country cannot be readily sold in another which uses an incompatible wall socket; this requires keeping track of variations throughout the product's life cycle from assembly and testing to shipping and repairs.
Instead, a country-specific power supply cord can be included in the product packaging, so that model variations are minimized and factory testing is simplified.
Assembly and handling of an appliance is easier if the power cord can be removed without much effort.
Appliances can be used in another country easily, with a simple change of the power supply cord (including a connector and a country-specific plug).
The power supply cord can be replaced easily if damaged, because it is a standardized part that can be unplugged and re-inserted.
IEC 60320 is divided into several parts: The standards define the mechanical, electrical and thermal requirements and safety goals of power couplers.
Further sub-parts of IEC 60320 focus on special topics such as protection ratings and appliance specific requirements.
Typical applications with increased pin temperatures include appliances with heating coils such as ovens or electric grills.
The C6 inlet is used on laptop power supplies and portable projectors, as well as on some desktop computers, and some LCD monitors.
This coupler is often used for small cassette recorders, battery/mains-operated radios, battery chargers, some full-size audio-visual equipment, laptop computer power supplies, video game consoles, and similar double-insulated appliances.
Although not specified by IEC 60320, and not clear whether any formal written standard exists, the most common wiring appears to connect the squared side to the hot (live) line, and the rounded to the neutral.
Apple uses a modified version of this connector, with the receptacle having a proprietary pin that secures the adapter in place and provides grounding.
These power supplies do accept the standard C7 connector, and supported by Apple for non-grounded applications.
A cable consisting of a C13 and an E interconnection connector is commonly mislabeled as an "extension cord", as although that is not the intended purpose, it can be used as such.
Other common applications are the power supplies of Xbox 360 game consoles, replacing the C15/C16 coupler employed initially, and large CRT televisions manufactured by RCA in the early 1990s.
Specifically, the female appliance outlet is built into a piece of equipment, while the male plug connector is attached to a cord.
Beginning with an amendment published in 2022, three of the commonly used high temperature variants have been standardized as types M–R.
They have a variety of common uses, including connecting power between older PCs and their monitors, extending existing power cords, connecting to type F outlets strips (commonly used with rack-mount gear to save space and for international standardization) and connecting computer equipment to the output of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
Sheet C26 shows detail dimensions for pillar-type terminals, where the end of the screw bears on a wire directly or through a pressure plate.
