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ITGlossary · Electrical units
IEC C13/C14 Connectors
Standardised pair of connectors rated up to 10 A under IEC 60320, found on UPS outputs and on the power supplies of computers, servers and monitors.
Technical level:Basic
The C13 is the female connector on the cable, with three holes, and the C14 is the male inlet on the device. It is the familiar “computer power cable”. Rack UPS units and many desktop models have C13 outlets, so connecting a server needs a C14-to-C13 cable, not the usual lead with a Schuko plug.
The 10 A limit applies to each outlet, but the total load is set by the UPS rating and by the protection of each outlet group.
Avoid C14-to-Schuko-socket adapters for plugging power strips or high-consumption devices into the UPS, as they can easily exceed the 10 A limit and overheat.
Related terms
- IEC C19/C20 ConnectorsPair of connectors rated up to 16 A under IEC 60320, used on higher-power UPS units, rack PDUs and servers or switches with high-consumption power supplies.
- Offline (Standby) UPSA UPS that leaves the load on the mains and switches to battery only when the mains fails, with a short transfer time; the simplest and cheapest topology.
- UndervoltageA sustained drop of mains voltage below normal that can cause malfunctions or overheat motors.
- Hardwired (Terminal Block) ConnectionPermanent connection of the UPS input or output by an electrician, with cables screwed into a terminal block instead of plugs and sockets, usually on higher-power UPS units.
- Input Power CordThe cable that connects the UPS to the wall socket or distribution board, i.e. to its AC power source.
- IsolationSeparation of input and output with no conductive connection, usually through a transformer, to protect against faults and noise.