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ITGlossary · Electrical units
IEC C19/C20 Connectors
Pair 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.
Technical level:Intermediate
They look like C13/C14 but are larger, with rectangular contacts set horizontally. The C19 is the female connector on the cable and the C20 is the male inlet on the device. Because they handle up to 16 A, they are used as the input on mid-range UPS units, typically around 3 kVA, as high-current outlets and to feed PDUs.
A typical example is a C19 outlet on the UPS feeding a PDU through a C20-to-C19 cable, with many devices then connected to the PDU's C13 outlets.
Be careful with C14-to-C19 adapters: they let a device with a C20 inlet draw current from a C13 outlet that is rated for only 10 A. Also check that the cable cross-section is suitable for 16 A.
Related terms
- IEC C13/C14 ConnectorsStandardised 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.
- 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.
- UndervoltageA sustained drop of mains voltage below normal that can cause malfunctions or overheat motors.
- Three-phase PowerA supply with three AC phases shifted by 120° (400 V between phases), used for large loads, motors and UPS systems from about 10 kVA.
- Peak LoadThe highest amount of power drawn by connected equipment during operation.
- Schuko SocketThe common 16 A socket with side earthing clips used in Greece and much of Europe, found on many small UPS units.