You go to plug a standard C13 cord into a switch or router and it will not seat. There is a little bump in the inlet that blocks it. That inlet is a C16, and it only takes a C15 connector. It is one of the most common "why does this not fit" moments in a server room.
The Valiant Power C14 to C15 Power Cord is the cord for that inlet.
The difference is one notch
A C15 looks almost identical to a C13. Same size, same three holes. The difference is a groove, or notch, molded into the connector opposite the ground pin.
- The C16 inlet has a ridge that lines up with that notch. Only a C15 fits.
- A C15 can also plug into a regular C14 inlet, so a C15 cord works on standard equipment too.
- A C13 will not fit a C16 inlet. The ridge blocks it.
Why does C15 exist?
Temperature. C15 and C16 connectors are rated for higher operating temperatures than C13 and C14. Equipment that runs hot at the power inlet, like some networking gear, PoE switches, and certain telecom and industrial hardware, uses a C16 inlet so a lower-temperature C13 cannot be used by mistake.
How the cord connects
The C14 end plugs into a C13 outlet on your PDU. The C15 end goes into the equipment's C16 inlet. Same rack layout as a normal C13 to C14 cord, just the right connector at the device.
Specs
| Connectors | C14 to C15 |
| Rating | 10A, 250V |
| Wire | 14AWG, 100% copper |
| Lengths | 1 ft, 3 ft, 5 ft, 7 ft, 10 ft |
How to tell what you need
- Look at the power inlet on your equipment.
- If there is a raised ridge inside the inlet, on the side opposite the ground pin, it is a C16. You need this C15 cord.
- If the inlet is plain, it is a C14. A standard C13 to C14 cord works, and so would a C15.
Some shops simply stock C15 cords for everything, since they fit both kinds of inlets. That saves sorting cords later.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a C15 cord on a normal server?
Yes. A C15 fits a standard C14 inlet.
Can I use a C13 cord on a C16 inlet?
No, and you should not try to force it. The inlet is keyed to keep lower-temperature connectors out.
Does it work on 120V and 240V?
Yes, up to 250V.
Questions about a specific device? Email support@valiantpowerco.com. Or see the C14 to C15 Cords.