A Guide to IEC Power Connectors & NEMA power plugs

• source:yuadon
• Date:05/29/2019

Experienced travelers are aware of all the different types of sockets and plugs which are used all around the world. But the question we can't find the answer to is WHICH PLUG IS TO BE USED WHERE?  People who are first-time travelers usually face this difficulty. This usually occurs, when they try to plug in their hair-dryer or razor, such as thrashing a square peg in a hole that is round. Here IEC power connectors come in handy. The International Electro technical Commission (IEC) has created sockets and plugs that are practical. They explain the reason behind why things are used in a certain way and why they need to be improved. It provides adequate knowledge of sockets, plugs and the voltage that is used everywhere in the world. The IEC power connectors can be used both for industrial as well as domestic use.

There are 13 types of IEC power connectors which are in use. International Electro technical Commission (IEC) has defined all the connectors according to the IEC 60320 specifications. These power connectors are used a lot because of the power connections on electrical equipment. The IEC power connectors have variants of 2 and 3 conductors along with various current variants which allow power to be linked with different types of electrical equipment.

NEMA power plugs

The word NEMA stands for National Electrical Manufacturers Association. It is an industry which is based in the USA and comprises of around 350 companies with 700 standards as well as technical publications. Despite being an organization based in the USA, NEMA is globally recognized with its standards being used internally. Guangzhou Yuadon Electric Co., Ltd. is a NEMA connector factory which sells all NEMA power plugs. Power receptacles and plugs are covered by NEMA standards.

Types of NEMA plugs:

• Straight-blade, non-locking
• Curved-blade, twist-locking

NEMA TYPE	WIRES	HOT	NEUTRAL	GROUND	RATED VOLTAGE
NEMA 1 / L1 NEMA 2 / L2 NEMA 5 / L5 NEMA 6 / L6 NEMA 7 / L7 NEMA L8* NEMA L9* NEMA 10 / L10 NEMA 11 / L11 NEMA L12* NEMA L13* NEMA 14 / L14 NEMA 15 / L15 NEMA L16* NEMA L17* NEMA 18 / L18 NEMA L19* NEMA L20* NEMA L21* NEMA L22* NEMA L23* NEMA 24 / L24 NEMA TT-30	2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 3 3	1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1	Yes No Yes No Yes No No Yes No No No Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes	No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes	125V AC 250V AC 125V AC 250V AC 277V AC 480V AC 600V AC 125/250V AC 250V AC 480V AC 600V AC 125/250V AC 250V AC 480V AC 600V AC 120/208V AC 277/480V AC 347/600V AC 120/208V AC 277/480V AC 347/600V AC 347V AC 120V AC