High Temp IEC320 C20 to IEC320 C21 20A 250V
Reference guide:IEC 60320 connector guide →
20
configurations
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In stock (84)Color — Black
Length — 1.5 Feet
About High Temp IEC320 C20 to IEC320 C21 20A 250V
IEC C20/C21 power cable uses
The IEC C21 Power Cords are used to power electrical devices that emit more than 65 °C during operation and require more than 15 Amperes of power that the C15 can provide. Think of this as the “heaviest-heavy duty” connector of the IEC 60320 Series. It can withstand the most amperes of power and the most heat of any connector in this set of standards and is generally reserved for the High-Power Switches and Servers located in modern data centers. Often times this equipment will all be located within a rack-mount data cabinet.
What options are available for the IEC320 c20 to c21 power cable?
We stock these high temperature power cables in many lengths ranging from 1.5 Feet to 15 Feet, to satisfy almost all of the demands of the Rack-Mounted Data Cabinet space. Our standard cabling is 12awg-3c SJT Black, however we can satisfy specific cabling upon request.
The plugs and connectors in this collection
What each end is, what it mates with, and where to find every cord built on it.
Connector · IEC 60320
IEC 60320 C21
- 20 Amps
- 125/250V
On 20 of the cords here
The IEC 60320 C21 is a grounded 3 Wire connector rated up to 250V and 20 Amps. The C21 mates with a C22 or C20 inlet, and is commonly used in a jumper cable scenario in IT Installations providing power from a PDU to a server, router, switch or other computing device. The C21 is a HIGH TEMPERATURE version of the C19 connector, with a maximum pin temperature of 155°C instead of the standard 65°C ofa C19, and is typically used in high powered blade servers, large network routers, and other IT equipment that draws more power than a standard C13 can accommodate.
Mates with IEC 60320 C22 Inlet
You are on the C21 family page.
Plug · IEC 60320
IEC 60320 C20
- 20 Amps
- 250 volts
On 20 of the cords here
The IEC 60320 C20 is a grounded 3 Wire Plug rated up to 250V and 20 Amps. The C20 mates with a C19 outlet, typically found on Data Center/IT specific PDUs (Power Distribution Unit). The most common configuration for a C20 is in a jumper cable scenario, providing power from a PDU to a blade server chassis, high powered server, large network router, or similar device.
Mates with IEC 60320 C19 Outlet
About High Temp IEC320 C20 to IEC320 C21 20A 250V
The IEC C21 Power Cords are used to power electrical devices that emit more than 65 °C during operation and require more than 15 Amperes of power that the C15 can provide. Think of this as the “heaviest-heavy duty” connector of the IEC 60320 Series. It can withstand the most amperes of power and the most heat of any connector in this set of standards and is generally reserved for the High-Power Switches and Servers located in modern data centers.
C20 to C21 vs. C20 to C19: Choosing the Right 20A Jumper Cord
Both the C19 and C21 are 20-amp, 250-volt IEC 60320 connectors, and their pin geometry is identical — a C20 plug seats in either. The difference is purely thermal.
- C19 (standard): Maximum pin temperature 65 °C. Suitable for most 20A PDU-to-server runs where the inlet does not run hot.
- C21 (high-temperature): Maximum pin temperature 155 °C (311 °F). Required when equipment specifications call out a high-temp connector, or when the inlet is located in a high-heat zone such as a dense blade chassis or a high-powered router.
If your equipment's datasheet or power inlet label specifies C21, use a C21 cord — substituting a C19 cord risks exceeding the connector's thermal rating under sustained load. If the datasheet only specifies a 20A IEC 60320 inlet without a temperature call-out, a C19 cord is typically acceptable.
All cords on this page are built on 12 AWG SJT cordage, UL-listed, and stocked in black, blue, and red for color-coded circuit identification.
Related
Current rating
20 Amps
Voltage rating
250 volts
Plug (male end)
IEC 60320 C20
Connector (female end)
IEC 60320 C21
Certifications & compliance
- RoHS
- cUL
- UL
- Every cord we build is hi-pot tested
- Same-day shipping by 2:30 PM ET
- NET 30/60/90 for approved accounts
- In-house engineering and compliance support
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a C19 and a C21 connector?
- The C21 and C19 are both 20A, 250V IEC 60320 connectors with the same pin layout, so they are physically interchangeable. The key difference is temperature rating: the C19 is rated to 65 °C, while the C21 is rated to 155 °C (311 °F). Use a C21 cord when the equipment inlet runs hot — typically high-powered blade servers, large network routers, and similar gear that generates significant heat during operation.
- What does a C20 plug connect to?
- The IEC 60320 C20 is a 3-wire, 20A, 250V plug (male end). It mates with a C19 outlet, which is the standard output socket found on data center PDUs (Power Distribution Units). In a typical rack installation, a C20-to-C21 jumper cord runs from the PDU's C19 outlet to the C22 or C20 inlet on a server, blade chassis, or high-powered network switch.
- Do these cords come in colors other than black?
- Yes. In addition to the standard black cords, World Cord Sets stocks C20-to-C21 cords in blue and red — all at 20A, 250V, in the same range of lengths. Color-coded cords are commonly used in data centers to distinguish circuits, phases, or power paths at a glance. Use the color filter on this page, or browse the dedicated color collections linked below the product grid.
- What wire gauge and cordage type are these cords built with?
- All standard C20-to-C21 cords on this page use 12 AWG, 3-conductor SJT cordage rated at 250V. 12 AWG is the correct gauge for a 20A circuit and is required by UL for this connector family. SJT (Service Junior Thermoplastic) jacketing provides durability in the tight cable-management environments typical of rack cabinets. Custom cordage types are available on request — contact sales with your specifications.