Month: September 2025

Not all power cords are created equal, and in a data center, using the wrong one can be a costly mistake. The different power cord types aren’t just variations in plugs and connectors; they determine how safely and efficiently your servers, switches, and storage equipment receive power. Overlooking this detail can lead to overheating, accidental disconnects, or even downtime.

That’s why it’s essential to understand the most common power cord types used in data centers: C13, C14, C19, and C20.

In this guide, we’ll compare their differences, share a clear power cord types chart, and explain how choosing the right cords improves safety, efficiency, and uptime.

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Key Takeaways

By the end of this article, you’ll know:

• The differences between the most common power cord types (C13, C14, C19, C20) used in data centers.
• How to use a power cord types chart to quickly match the right cord to the right equipment.
• Best practices for choosing cords that improve safety, efficiency, and uptime in your data center.

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Understanding Power Cord Types

When we talk about power cord types, we’re really talking about how cords are designed to handle specific voltages, amperages, and equipment requirements. Each type has its own connector shape and rating, making it suitable for certain devices but not for others.

In data centers, two standards dominate:

• IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) connectors, like C13, C14, C19, and C20, which are common worldwide.
• NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) connectors, which are more common in North America for wall plugs and certain equipment.

For the scope of this article, we’ll focus on IEC connectors since they’re the backbone of most (if not all) data center power cords.

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The Big Four Data Center Power Cord Types (C13, C14, C19, C20)

Choosing the right cord isn’t just about finding one that fits; it’s about ensuring the power requirements of your devices are met safely and efficiently. Let’s look at the four most common data center power cord types:

C13 Power Cord

• Rating: Up to 10-15A, 250V
• Typical Use: Servers, networking gear, monitors
• Why It Matters: The go-to cord for most lower-power equipment. A mismatch here could mean underpowering or overheating devices.
• C13 Power Cords

C14 Power Cord (the inlet for C13)

• Rating: Works with C13 cords
• Typical Use: Power supply units, PDUs (Power Distribution Units)
• Why It Matters: This is where your C13 plugs in; knowing both sides ensures proper pairing.
• C14 Power Cords

C19 Power Cord

• Rating: Up to 16-20A, 250V
• Typical Use: Blade servers, enterprise switches, storage arrays
• Why It Matters: Designed for high-demand devices. Using a smaller cord type here risks overload.
• C19 Power Cords

C20 Power Cord (the inlet for C19)

• Rating: Works with C19 cords
• Typical Use: High-power PDUs, enterprise-grade gear
• Why It Matters: Like C14, it pairs with its counterpart. Critical for ensuring the high current needed by larger hardware.
• C20 Power Cords

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Power Cord Types Chart (Quick Reference)

Here’s a simple power cord types chart you can use to quickly identify the right cord for your equipment:

Connector	Rating	Common Use	Pairing
C13	10-15A, 250V	Servers, networking gear, monitors	Plugs into C14
C14	Matches C13	Power supply inlets, PDUs	Receives C13
C19	16-20A, 250V	Blade servers, enterprise switches, storage	Plugs into C20
C20	Matches C19	High-power PDUs, enterprise hardware	Receives C19

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The Role of Color Coding in Power Cord Management

Even when you know the right power cord types, mistakes can still happen, especially in a rack full of identical black cords. During maintenance, one wrong unplug and you could take down an entire server.

That’s where color-coded power cords come in. By assigning specific colors to different power sources, phases, or equipment types, data centers create a visual map that reduces human error and speeds up troubleshooting.

Benefits of color coding:

• Error prevention: Quickly identify which cord goes where.
• Faster maintenance: Technicians can trace connections in seconds.
• Improved safety: Reduces the risk of accidental disconnects or overloads.

Simple, low-cost, and highly effective, color coding turns power cord chaos into clarity. Learn more about safety by reading our take on Power Cable Red Flags.

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Specialty Power Cord Types for Data Centers

Beyond the standard C13, C14, C19, and C20 connectors, there are specialty power cord types designed to solve very specific data center challenges. 

Locking Power Cords

• Best Use Case: Mission-critical equipment where uptime is non-negotiable.
• Why They Matter: Standard cords can loosen or be accidentally unplugged during maintenance. Locking cords “click” into place, ensuring a secure connection that won’t slip even with vibration or movement.
  

Y-Cables (Splitters)

• Best Use Case: Dual power supply equipment where you want redundancy without doubling cord clutter.
• Why They Matter: A Y-cable can feed two inlets from one power source, reducing the number of cords in dense racks while maintaining reliability. We’ve discussed Y-cables in detail in our Strategic Y Power Cable Usage article.
  

Angled and Low-Profile Cords

• Best Use Case: Tight spaces where standard straight connectors make routing awkward or block airflow.
• Why They Matter: Angled plugs help with clearance in high-density racks, while low-profile designs keep cords neat and improve airflow.

Hospital Grade NEMA Power Cords

• Best Use Case: Medical and healthcare environments, or anywhere the highest safety standards are required.
• Why They Matter: Hospital grade cords must display a green dot and meet strict UL817, UL60601-1, and UL498 requirements. They feature solid nickel-plated blades, enhanced strain relief, and are tested for impact, drop, crush, and pull strength. These cords are engineered for maximum safety and reliability under demanding conditions.

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Choosing the Right Power Cord for Your Data Center

At the end of the day, knowing the different power cord types is only half the battle. The real challenge is choosing the right cords that meet your equipment’s needs while keeping your racks safe, efficient, and easy to manage.

Here’s what to consider when making your choice:

• Match power rating to equipment – Don’t risk overloads or underpowering. Use C13/C14 for lower-power servers and C19/C20 for high-demand devices.
• Use locking cords where uptime is critical – Mission-critical servers and storage arrays should never risk accidental disconnects.
• Keep cords at the right length – Shorter cords improve airflow, reduce tangling, and keep racks cleaner.
• Color-code for clarity – Assign colors to different phases, circuits, or equipment types for faster troubleshooting and error prevention.
• Leverage specialty cords when needed – From Y-cables for redundancy to angled cords for tight spaces, the right specialty cord solves common rack challenges.

At AnD Cable Products, we supply the full range of data center power cords: from standard C13, C14, C19, and C20 connectors to specialty solutions like locking and Y-cables. Every cord we provide is built to exacting standards, tested for reliability, and designed to perform under the demands of modern data centers.

And because no two facilities are alike, we also offer custom options:

• Specific lengths for better rack airflow
• A wide choice of colors for error-free management
• Specialty types tailored to your environment

Whether you’re building out a new rack or upgrading existing infrastructure, our cords are designed to save you time, prevent costly downtime, and keep your data center running at peak performance.

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Small Choices, Big Impact

Power cords may look simple, but the right power cord types are critical for uptime, safety, and efficiency in any data center. From C13/C14 to C19/C20, plus specialty cords like locking cords and Y-cables, your choices directly impact performance and reliability.

At AnD Cable Products, we provide quality-tested data center power cords in standard and custom options, whether you need specific lengths, colors, or specialty designs.