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ITGlossary · Electrical units
Schuko Socket
The common 16 A socket with side earthing clips used in Greece and much of Europe, found on many small UPS units.
Technical level:Basic
A Schuko socket (CEE 7/3) takes a plug with two round pins, while earthing is provided by two metal clips on the sides. Because the plug fits either way round, phase and neutral may be swapped, which devices and UPS units handle without problems.
Desktop UPS units usually have Schuko outlets, so the plugs of computers, monitors and routers connect directly. Their input cable also ends in a Schuko plug, which in practice limits this solution to low and medium-power UPS units.
Do not connect laser printers, heaters or air conditioners to the UPS Schuko outlets. They draw high currents or strong inrush peaks and can overload the UPS.
Related terms
- 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.
- 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.
- Single-phase PowerAn electrical system with one alternating current (AC) voltage phase, commonly used in homes and offices.
- 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.
- 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.
- Input Power CordThe cable that connects the UPS to the wall socket or distribution board, i.e. to its AC power source.