IEC Plugs - which ones IEC60309 or IEC60320

[Ekij]

I have read many posts at The Blue Room articles that refer to using IEC plugs and sockets (as opposed to 15A plugs/sockets). Hwoever there are many types of IEC plugs/sockets. I am fairly sure some of the posts refer to IEC60309 but other appear to refer to IEC60320 as well. If IEC60320 is used there are a number of different ends that are all 'IEC60320' C19/C20 are capable of 16A. C13/C14 ("kettle leads") are capable of 10A. Which are used for lighting?

 

http://www.btinternet.com/~boxzone/Other/Plugs.gif

 

EDIT: The URL is case sensitive

[peter]

Generally when people refer to IEC's on the Blue Room (or in the industry in general) they are referring to either C13 or C14. (IEC60320 in the above). Some lanterns are fitted with 'Hot IECs', which are another breed altogether - see here for more information. The most common of these lanters are probably Strand Cantatas, but there are others too. There is also occasional use of 2 pin IECs, or fig-8's, such as C7 & C8.

 

IEC60309 is commonly referred to as 16A Ceeform.

 

Hope this helps.

[gareth]

Just to expand a bit on one of Peter's points - 'hot-condition' IECs are those depicted as C15 and C16 in the diagram - the keyway at the bottom prevents 'ordinary' IEC supply cables being used on such appliances. However, the IEC inlets on Strand Canatas and such-like use another kind of IEC - the 'super-hot-condition' IEC. These differ from 'hot-condition' in having a square shoulder each side of the earth pin rather than the 45-degree slope of the other kinds. So a 'super-hot' IEC lead can be used in any appliance with an IEC inlet, but only a 'super-hot' lead can be used in an appliance with a 'super-hot' inlet. Hope that makes sense!