A commonly asked question of our tech support team is for help figuring out the power cable needed for a specific application. We are often met with confusion by the customer when we ask what type of connection they are looking for. NEMA 5-15P, C13, C7, and other terms are not widely known. We’ve put together some brief descriptions and pictures of power cables we carry at CableWholesale. We hope this will be a useful sheet to help people identify what kind of power cable they need:

Common Power Cords (NEMA 120V 15A)

• 
  NEMA 1-15P: Two-prong plug.
  • The Non-polarized version has two equal straight blades.
  • The Polarized version features 2 blades with one being wider.

• 
  NEMA 1-15R: Two-prong receptacle.
  • ‘receptacle’ connectors would have holes that would accept a plug with prongs to be inserted.

• 
  NEMA 5-15P: Three-prong plug.
  • Features 2 straight blades with a third round or U-shaped ground pin. The ground pin is longer than the two blades which ensures the device is grounded before the power is connected.

• 
  NEMA 5-15R: Three-prong receptacle.
  • This will be what you would typically see in your home (USA & Canada) as a power outlet or on the female end of a power extension cord. You would also see this as the receptacles on a surge strip.

Laptop

• 
  C7: Figure Eight.
  • Non-Polarized connector featuring a ‘figure 8’ shape with two holes.
  • Although we list as a notebook power cord, the C7 connection is used in many devices.

• 
  C7PW: Polarized connector.
  • Has basically the same shape as C7, but instead of rounded ‘figure 8’ style, one of the sides is flat, allowing the connector to only be inserted one way.

• 
  C5: Three-pin connector.
  • Typically connects a laptop power brick to a wall outlet.
  • Polarized connector. The shape of the connector prevents shocks. Sometimes called a ‘Mickey Mouse’ cable due to the resemblance to a certain cartoon character’s silhouette. Also called “cloverleaf.”

Computer/Monitor

• 
  C13: Three slot connectors.
  • Features a dog-ear shape and the three slots are in a staggered vertical orientation.

• 
  C14: Three prong inlet receptacle.
  • Features the same dog-ear shape as the c13 with 3 blades in a staggered vertical position.

Server/Appliance

• 
  C19: Three-slot connector.
  • Used in Enterprise-class servers and data center rack-mounted PDUs.
  • Rectangular with four rounded corners, and three staggered blades in the same orientation (horizontal).

• 
  C20: Three-prong Inlet receptacle.
  • Rectangular with four rounded corners, and three staggered slots in a recessed receptacle (horizontal).