Electrical Connectors: Difference between revisions

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=Summary=
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) are two major organizations that define standards for electrical connectors used worldwide. NEMA connectors are primarily used in North America and feature a variety of locking and non-locking configurations designed for specific voltage and amperage ratings, making them common in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. IEC connectors, on the other hand, provide internationally recognized standards that promote compatibility across different countries and devices, such as the widely used IEC 60320 couplers for power cords on appliances and electronics. While both systems aim to ensure safety, reliability, and interoperability, their designs and naming conventions differ, requiring adapters or region-specific equipment when crossing markets.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) are two major organizations that define standards for electrical connectors used worldwide. NEMA connectors are primarily used in North America and feature a variety of locking and non-locking configurations designed for specific voltage and amperage ratings, making them common in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. IEC connectors, on the other hand, provide internationally recognized standards that promote compatibility across different countries and devices, such as the widely used IEC 60320 couplers for power cords on appliances and electronics. While both systems aim to ensure safety, reliability, and interoperability, their designs and naming conventions differ, requiring adapters or region-specific equipment when crossing markets.


=NEMA Connectors=
=NEMA Connectors=


''P = Plug (male), R = Receptacle (female)''
NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) connectors are the standard power plugs and receptacles used throughout North America. They are defined by a coded system that specifies voltage, current rating, grounding method, and configuration, with common household types such as NEMA 5-15 for 120 V and heavier-duty options like NEMA 14-50 for high-power appliances or EV charging. NEMA designs include both straight-blade and locking (twist-lock) styles to prevent accidental disconnection in industrial or outdoor settings. Their robust construction and clear labeling make them a reliable choice for residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations.
 
{{Info| This is a list of only the most common NEMA connectors. For a more comprehensive list, check out [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector]}}
 
{{Info|Suffixes denote gender: P = Plug (male), R = Receptacle (female). E.g., 1-15P, 14-50R}}


==Non-locking==
==Straight-blade==


{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
Line 17: Line 19:
!Typical Uses
!Typical Uses
|-
|-
| 5-15 || [[File:N5-15P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N5-15R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 15 || Household
| 1-15 || [[File:N1-15P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N1-15R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 15 || Household (receptacle deprecated)
|-
|-
| 5-20 || [[File:N5-20P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N5-20R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 20 || Household/Commercial high-current
| 5-15 || [[File:N5-15P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N5-15R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 15 || Household
|-
|-
| 6-50 || [[File:N6-50P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N6-50R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 20 || Welders, commercial kitchen equipment
| 5-20 || [[File:N5-20P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N5-20R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 20 || Household/Commercial high-current
|-
|-
| 10-30 || [[File:N10-30P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N10-30R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 125/250 || 30 || Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges (deprecated)
| 6-20 || [[File:N6-20P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N6-20R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 20 || Air compressors, wall air conditioners
|-
|-
| 14-30 || [[File:N14-30P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N14-30R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 125/250 || 50 || Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges, EV charging
| 6-50 || [[File:N6-50P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N6-50R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 20 || Welders, commercial kitchen equipment
|-
|-
| 14-50 || [[File:N14-50P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N14-50R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 125/250 || 50 || Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges, EV charging
| 10-30 || [[File:N10-30P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N10-30R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 125/250 || 30 || Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges (deprecated)
|-
|-
| TT-30 || [[File:TT-30P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:TT-30R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 30 || Travel Trailer (RV/Campers)
| 14-30 || [[File:N14-30P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N14-30R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 125/250 || 30 || Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges, EV charging
|-
| 14-50 || [[File:N14-50P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:N14-50R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 125/250 || 50 || Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges, EV charging
|-
| TT-30 || [[File:TT-30P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:TT-30R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 30 || Travel Trailer (RV/Campers)
|}
|}


==Twist-locking==
==Locking (twist-lock)==


{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
Line 42: Line 48:
!Typical Uses
!Typical Uses
|-
|-
| L5-30 || [[File:L5-30P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:L5-30R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 30 || Marine, RV/Camper
| L5-30 || [[File:L5-30P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:L5-30R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 125 || 30 || Marine, RV/Camper
|-
|-
| L6-20 || [[File:L6-20P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:L6-20R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 20 || Information technology (servers, PDUs, etc)
| L6-20 || [[File:L6-20P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:L6-20R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 20 || Information technology (servers, PDUs, etc)
|-
|-
| L6-30 || [[File:L6-30P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:L6-30R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 30 || Welders, industrial equipment
| L6-30 || [[File:L6-30P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:L6-30R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 30 || Welders, industrial equipment
|-
|-
| L14-30 || [[File:L14-30P.png|200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:L14-30R.png|200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 30 || Portable generators, large audio systems
| L14-30 || [[File:L14-30P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:L14-30R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 30 || Portable generators, large audio systems
|-
| SS2-50 || [[File:SS2-50P.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:SS2-50R.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 250 || 50 || Ship-to-shore (marine), portable generators
|}
|}


=IEC=
=IEC=


tbd
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) connectors are globally standardized plugs and couplers designed to provide safe, interchangeable power connections across different countries and devices. The most familiar is the IEC 60320 family, used on computer and appliance power cords, where lettered types such as C13/C14 or C19/C20 indicate temperature rating and current capacity. IEC standards also cover industrial power connectors (IEC 60309) with color-coded housings to denote voltage and frequency, ensuring international compatibility. These connectors emphasize interoperability and safety, enabling equipment manufacturers and users to rely on a single set of specifications worldwide.
 
{{Info|All below connected are rated up to 250V AC.}}
 
{{Info|Parity denotes gender: Odd = Plug (male), Even = Receptacle (female)}}
 
{| class=wikitable
!Connector
!Plug
!Receptacle
!Amps (A)
!Typical Uses
|-
| C1/C2  || [[File:C1.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C2.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 0.2 || Electric shavers, small appliances
|-
| C5/C6  || [[File:C5.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C6.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 2.5 || Laptop power supplies
|-
| C7/C8  || [[File:C7.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C8.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 2.5 || Household audio/video equipment
|-
| C9/C10 || [[File:C9.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C10.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 6 || Audio equipment
|-
| C13/C14 || [[File:C13.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C14.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 10 || Computer, enterprise IT
|-
| C15/C16 || [[File:C15.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C16.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 10 || Kettles, enterprise IT
|-
| C17/C18 || [[File:C17.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C18.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 10 || Small household electronics
|-
| C19/C20 || [[File:C19.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C20.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 16 || Enterprise IT, servers, UPS's, PDU's
|-
| C21/C22 || [[File:C21.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C22.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 16 || High-temperature variant of C19
|-
| C23/C24 || [[File:C23.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || [[File:C24.png|center|200x200px|thumb|left]] || 16 || Ungrounded variant of C19
 
|}

Latest revision as of 19:23, 15 September 2025

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) are two major organizations that define standards for electrical connectors used worldwide. NEMA connectors are primarily used in North America and feature a variety of locking and non-locking configurations designed for specific voltage and amperage ratings, making them common in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. IEC connectors, on the other hand, provide internationally recognized standards that promote compatibility across different countries and devices, such as the widely used IEC 60320 couplers for power cords on appliances and electronics. While both systems aim to ensure safety, reliability, and interoperability, their designs and naming conventions differ, requiring adapters or region-specific equipment when crossing markets.

NEMA Connectors

NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) connectors are the standard power plugs and receptacles used throughout North America. They are defined by a coded system that specifies voltage, current rating, grounding method, and configuration, with common household types such as NEMA 5-15 for 120 V and heavier-duty options like NEMA 14-50 for high-power appliances or EV charging. NEMA designs include both straight-blade and locking (twist-lock) styles to prevent accidental disconnection in industrial or outdoor settings. Their robust construction and clear labeling make them a reliable choice for residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations.

Note Info:   This is a list of only the most common NEMA connectors. For a more comprehensive list, check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector

Note Info:  Suffixes denote gender: P = Plug (male), R = Receptacle (female). E.g., 1-15P, 14-50R

Straight-blade

Connector Plug Receptacle Volts (V) Amps (A) Typical Uses
1-15
125 15 Household (receptacle deprecated)
5-15
125 15 Household
5-20
125 20 Household/Commercial high-current
6-20
250 20 Air compressors, wall air conditioners
6-50
250 20 Welders, commercial kitchen equipment
10-30
125/250 30 Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges (deprecated)
14-30
125/250 30 Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges, EV charging
14-50
125/250 50 Clothes dryers, kitchen ranges, EV charging
TT-30
125 30 Travel Trailer (RV/Campers)

Locking (twist-lock)

Connector Plug Receptacle Volts (V) Amps (A) Typical Uses
L5-30
125 30 Marine, RV/Camper
L6-20
250 20 Information technology (servers, PDUs, etc)
L6-30
250 30 Welders, industrial equipment
L14-30
250 30 Portable generators, large audio systems
SS2-50
250 50 Ship-to-shore (marine), portable generators

IEC

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) connectors are globally standardized plugs and couplers designed to provide safe, interchangeable power connections across different countries and devices. The most familiar is the IEC 60320 family, used on computer and appliance power cords, where lettered types such as C13/C14 or C19/C20 indicate temperature rating and current capacity. IEC standards also cover industrial power connectors (IEC 60309) with color-coded housings to denote voltage and frequency, ensuring international compatibility. These connectors emphasize interoperability and safety, enabling equipment manufacturers and users to rely on a single set of specifications worldwide.

Note Info:  All below connected are rated up to 250V AC.

Note Info:  Parity denotes gender: Odd = Plug (male), Even = Receptacle (female)

Connector Plug Receptacle Amps (A) Typical Uses
C1/C2
0.2 Electric shavers, small appliances
C5/C6
2.5 Laptop power supplies
C7/C8
2.5 Household audio/video equipment
C9/C10
6 Audio equipment
C13/C14
10 Computer, enterprise IT
C15/C16
10 Kettles, enterprise IT
C17/C18
10 Small household electronics
C19/C20
16 Enterprise IT, servers, UPS's, PDU's
C21/C22
16 High-temperature variant of C19
C23/C24
16 Ungrounded variant of C19
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