About Power connectors allow electronic devices to connect to available power outlets. Power cables can carry either Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC). An example of AC power would be power that be provided by a standard wall outlet in a home or office. An example of DC power would be power that is provided by a battery. There are several different types of connectors and interfaces that are used all over the world. The power connectors shown here are some of the more common connectors used in North America.

NEMA 5-15-PThe NEMA 5-15-P is normally referenced as a “3-prong grounded plug” which plugs into a standard 110 VAC wall outlet. NEMA is an acronym that stands for the National Electrical Manucturers Association, an industry group that sets standards for use in electrical products. The connector has two flat parallel blades, with a round ground pin located between and above them. The female mating outlet for the 5-15-P is called a 5-15-R (R for “receptacle”).

NEMA 1-15-PThe Nema 1-15-P is normally referenced as a 2-prong plug that fits into a standard 110 VAC wall outlets. It has two flat blades, just like the NEMA 5-15 plug, but has no ground pin. The female mating outlet for the 1-15-P is called a 1-15-R (R for “receptacle”). Most current versions of this plug have one blade slightly wider than the other.

IEC 320 C13/C14The IEC 320 C13/C14 connectors are based on standards created by the International Electrotechnical Commission, an international standards body. The “320” refers to the number of the specification that describes power connectors. The official text of the standard is actually numbered 60320, but common vernacular usage shortens it to 320. The C13 line socket is very common in the PC and A/V industry. The mating connector for the C13 socket is the C14 plug, which is often mounted into a recessed panel or chassis on computer power supplies or power transformers.

IEC 320 C7 (non-polarized)A 2-prong connector used on power transformers, radios, and other consumer electronic devices. It has two rounded prongs side-by-side.

CEE 7/7A plug designed for use primarily in Europe, the CEE 7/7 plug has a round shape with two rounded pins and a socket that accepts the grounding pin from a “Type F” European wall outlet. CEE is actually an abbreviation for the International Commission on Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment, a European standards body.