External Device Connectors - Schuko, IEC Couplers and Country Plugs

Q: What is the difference between cold device and hot condition couplers?

Cold device (C13/C14) is rated 70 deg C, hot condition (C15/C16) is 120 deg C. Hot condition is polarised to prevent misuse.

Q: Which power cord do I need for a server?

For 1 kW class C13/C14, for 2 kW+ servers or redundant PSUs C19/C20.

Q: For export to the UK or USA - what changes?

Only the wall plug end changes (Type G UK, Type B US). The IEC device end stays the same.

All connectors visible from the outside of a device: country mains plugs at the wall, IEC 60320 device couplers at the cable end, and country-specific export variants.

Three External Categories

1. Country mains plugs

Wall plug at the end of a power cord - region-specific.

2. IEC 60320 Device Couplers

Female end on the cable, male inlet on the device.

C13/C14 cold device (PC, USV)
C15/C16 hot condition (kettle)
C19/C20 (server, PDU)

3. Special variants

Industrial and switchgear-specific plugs.

Type CA contour plug (16 A SK II)
C21/C22 hot condition (155 °C)
C5/C6 cloverleaf (notebook)

IEC 60320 Couplers - Quick Reference

Coupler	Rated current	Typical use	Details
C5/C6 cloverleaf	2.5 A	Notebook adapters	→
C7/C8 figure-8	2.5 A	Radios, chargers	→
C13/C14 cold device	10 A	PC, monitor, printer, USV	→
C15/C16 hot condition	10 A / 120 °C	Kettles, heaters	→
C17/C18	10 A	Game consoles, class II IT	→
C19/C20	16 A	Server, USV, PDU	→
C21/C22 hot condition	16 A / 155 °C	Industrial heating	→

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cold device and hot condition couplers?

Cold device couplers (C13/C14) are rated 70 °C conductor temperature - sufficient for PCs, monitors and most office equipment. Hot condition couplers (C15/C16) are rated 120 °C and physically polarised so a 70 °C cable cannot accidentally power a kettle or heater.

Which power cord do I need for a server?

For 1 kW class servers a C13/C14 cord is sufficient. For 2 kW or higher (or redundant 16 A PSUs), the C19/C20 cord with 16 A rating is the standard. PDU jumper cables typically combine C14 plug + C13 inlet (or C20 + C19).

For export to the UK or USA - what changes?

The wall plug end changes - Type G (UK), Type B (US). The IEC end on the device stays the same (C13, C19 etc.), so only the cord needs to be swapped, not the device.

Procurement: Schuko, C13/C14, C19/C20, CEE 7/7 and export cords for UK, USA, Switzerland. Phone +49 7666 88499-0 · sales@industry-electronics.com