C13, C19, C14 and C20 power connectors side by side

If you work with servers, UPS units or rack PDUs, you’ve seen cables labelled C13, C14, C19 and C20. These are IEC 60320 connector types. Ordering the wrong one is a common and annoying mistake, because the cable arrives and simply doesn’t fit.

This guide is written for IT teams, server rooms and offices in Malaysia, where wall sockets use the UK-style 3-pin plug. We stock these power cords in Johor Bahru and deliver across Malaysia.

The Simple Rule: Odd = Female, Even = Male

Odd numbers (C13, C19) are female connectors. They plug into the device.
Even numbers (C14, C20) are male inlets or plugs, found on the device, PDU or UPS.
They pair up: C13 ↔ C14 and C19 ↔ C20.

Quick Comparison

Connector	Gender	Rating (IEC)	Where you see it
C13	Female	10A	Cable end that plugs into a PC, monitor or most server PSUs
C14	Male	10A	Inlet on PSUs; outlet on rack PDUs and UPS units
C19	Female	16A	Cable end for high-watt PSUs, blade chassis and large UPS units
C20	Male	16A	Inlet on high-watt equipment; high-current PDU outlets

How to tell them apart: C13/C14 have three pins in a triangle layout. C19/C20 have three flat rectangular pins in a row and are noticeably larger.

Common Cable Combinations

UK 3-pin plug → C13: the standard wall-socket cable in Malaysia for PCs, monitors and small servers. Example: Power Cord UK Plug to C13 (2M~15M).
C14 → C13: a “jumper” cable between a rack PDU or UPS and a server. This is the most common one in a server rack. Example: Power Cord C13 to C14 1.0mm² (2M~10M).
C14 → 2x C13 splitter: powers two devices from one PDU or UPS outlet. Example: Power Cord C14 to 2x C13 Splitter (1.8M).
UK 3-pin plug → C19: for high-watt equipment plugged straight into a wall socket. Example: Power Cord UK Plug to C19 1.5mm² (1.8M~15M).
C20 → C19: for high-power equipment on a 16A PDU. Example: Power Cord C19 to C20 1.5mm² (1.8M~15M).
C14 → C19: connects a C20-inlet device to a standard C13 outlet on a PDU or UPS. Example: Power Cord C14 to C19 1.5mm² (1.8M).
C14 → UK/universal socket: lets you plug a normal UK-plug device into a PDU or UPS C13 outlet. Example: IEC C14 to Universal Socket Adapter (PDU/UPS).

Rack PDU with C13 and C19 outlets and server power cables — Illustrative image.

Power Cords in Malaysia: What to Check

Most cable guides online are written for the US or Europe. In Malaysia, a few things are different:

Wall plug: Malaysia uses the UK 3-pin plug (BS 1363, “Type G”). A cord with a US 2-pin or European round-pin plug will not fit local sockets.
Voltage: 230–240V, 50Hz. Server and PC power supplies sold here are auto-ranging, so the cord is what matters.
Fused plug: UK 3-pin plugs have a fuse inside. If a PC or server suddenly has no power, a blown plug fuse is worth checking before you blame the PSU.
Avoid travel adapters: do not run a server or UPS through a foreign plug plus a travel adapter. Use a proper UK 3-pin to C13 or C19 cord instead.
Local names: in Malaysian shops a C13 cord is often called a “3 pin power cable”, “PC power cable” or “kettle cable”, and a C5 cord a “Mickey Mouse cable”.

Need a cord quickly? We ship from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor and the rest of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

Which Servers Need Which Cable?

As a rule of thumb, most PSUs up to about 1100W use a C14 inlet (needs a C13 cable). Larger PSUs (around 1400W and above), GPU servers and blade enclosures often use C20 inlets (need a C19 cable). Always check the inlet on your actual PSU.

Examples from our catalogue:

Dell 495W hot-swap PSU GRTNK: C14 inlet, uses a C13 cable
Dell 750W hot-swap PSU F9F51: C14 inlet, uses a C13 cable
HP 460W Common Slot PSU 499249-001: C14 inlet, uses a C13 cable
Dell 2200W PSU NC3TP (Precision T7960): at this power level, check the inlet and use a cable rated for the load

Cable Rating Matters

A C13 cable is rated for 10A. Don’t use a thin, cheap cable on a heavily loaded server PSU.
Look for proper markings: conductor size (e.g. 1.0mm² or 1.5mm²).
A C20 → C13 cable is still limited to 10A by the C13 end.
In racks, choose the shortest practical length (0.5–1.5m) to keep airflow clear.

Other Connectors You May Meet

C5/C6 (“Mickey Mouse” / cloverleaf): laptop power adaptors (UK Plug to C5 cord, C14 to C5 cord). See our laptop adaptor guide.
C7/C8 (“figure-8”): small 2-pin devices, printers and some adaptors (UK Plug to C7 cord).
C15/C16: look like C13/C14 but have a notch for high-temperature use (kettles, some network gear). Examples: UK Plug to C15 cord, C14 to C15 cord.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a C13 cable plug into a C20 inlet?

No. They are different sizes. You need a C19 cable for a C20 inlet.

Is a “kettle cable” the same as a C13 cable?

Not quite. A true kettle cable is C15, which fits a C14 inlet. A C13 will not fit a C16 kettle inlet.

My UPS has C13 outlets. What cable do I need to connect a server?

A C14 → C13 jumper cable.

Do you supply power cables?

Yes. See our full range of power cords and adapters (C13, C14, C15, C19, C20, C5, C7 and splitters) in lengths from 1M to 15M. For other lengths or types, tell us the connector types, length and quantity.

Where can I buy C13, C14, C19 or C20 power cords in Malaysia?

From us. We stock UK 3-pin to C13 and C19 cords, C13 to C14 and C19 to C20 jumper cables, splitters and adapters in lengths from 1M to 15M, and deliver nationwide. See our power cords and adapters.

Need Power Cords in Malaysia?

Browse Power Cords & Adapters and Server PSUs, or tell us what you’re connecting and we’ll quote the right cable. Request a Quote or WhatsApp +607-359 6955.