Computer Power Plug Types: IEC 60320 C13, C5 and C7 Guide
Quick answer / TL;DR: Computer power plug types come from two standards: the IEC 60320 connector family on the computer side (C13, C5, C7) and the regional wall outlet type (NEMA 5-15/5-20 in North America, type F or C in Europe, type I in Australia). The cord bridges the two.
When the question is power plug computer, the answer has two halves: the plug on the end of the cord that enters the computer (the IEC 60320 family), and the plug that enters the wall (region-specific). Both must match, and this guide covers both.
It also covers the less common cloverleaf connector, how to read a plug face safely, and what to do when a cord plug is damaged.
The IEC 60320 Family: Computer-Side Plugs
C13 – the desktop workhorse
The C13 plug has two angled flat blades and a round earth pin. It mates with the C14 inlet on most desktop cases, workstations and UPS units, rated 10 A at 250 V. If you see a wide rectangular inlet on the back of a PC, the computer power plug you need is C13.
C5 (MIDI) – the smaller trapezoid
The C5 plug is a smaller trapezoid with a center earth pin, mating with the C6 inlet. It is the computer power plug for compact desktops, many projectors and older monitors – the same 10 A rating as C13 in a smaller package.
C7 (figure-8) – the two-pin flat
The C7 plug is the flat figure-8 with two pins and no earth, mating with the C8 inlet on many monitors and small devices. Double-insulated devices skip the earth pin, so the cord is two-wire.
The Wall-Side Plug: Regional Outlet Types
In North America the wall end is a NEMA 5-15 (15 A) or 5-20 (20 A) plug with two flat blades and a round earth pin. In much of Europe it is a round-pin type F or C plug; in Australia and New Zealand a slanted type I. A cord sold for your region ships with the correct wall plug – check the label when moving equipment between countries.
| Computer inlet | Cord-side plug | Wall plug (US) |
|---|
| C14 | C13 | NEMA 5-15 or 5-20 |
| C6 (MIDI) | C5 | NEMA 5-15 |
| C8 (figure-8) | C7 | NEMA 5-15 |
| Cloverleaf | Cloverleaf plug | NEMA 5-15 |
Damaged Plugs and the Cloverleaf Oddity
A plug with a cracked face, a bent earth pin or discolored tips gets replaced as a whole cord – do not splice or re-sleeve a power plug at home. One legacy oddity: the cloverleaf connector, found on some older Apple equipment and a few specialty devices, which is neither C13, C5 nor C7 and needs its own matched cord.
Replacement cords in all three IEC 60320 families, with the wall plug for your region, are stocked in standard lengths; specify the country when ordering.
Real-World Applications
IT asset tag: label spares drawers by plug family – C13, C5, C7 – so a field tech grabs the right cord in five seconds. Lab equipment: UPS units and instruments often mix C13 and C5 inlets on one bench, so stock both families. Cross-border relocation: a PC moving from the US to Germany needs cords with the local wall plug, even though the computer-side IEC plug stays identical.
Related reading: The inlet side: reading a C14 power receptacle on a case — pc-power-receptacle
Related reading: Matching plug to inlet, including C5 and C7 — pc-power-plug-match
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of computer power plugs?
On the computer side: C13 (desktops, UPS units), C5 (MIDI, compact PCs and projectors) and C7 (figure-8, monitors and small devices), all from the IEC 60320 family. On the wall side the plug is regional: NEMA 5-15/5-20 in North America, round type F or C in Europe, type I in Australia.
How do I tell a C13 plug from a C5 plug?
C13 is the wider rectangle with three blades – two angled flats and a center round earth pin. C5 is a smaller, more rounded trapezoid, also with an earth pin. C13 fits tower PCs; C5 fits compact PCs and projectors.
Can I use a computer power plug from another country?
The computer-side IEC plug (C13, C5, C7) is universal worldwide – the same C13 fits a PC in any country. The wall-side plug is region-specific, so a cord bought in one country may not fit the outlets in another. Buy the cord locally or specify your region when ordering.
Is it safe to keep using a cord with a cracked plug face?
No. A cracked face, a bent earth pin or discoloration indicates mechanical wear or overheating, and arcing can start at the contact points. Replace the whole cord – splicing a power plug is not a safe or reliable repair.
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