# name for standardized desktop computer power cord? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 25, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678 "2016-10-25T13:55:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/1 "2016-10-25T13:55:04Z")
Desktop PCs all use the same style of connector on the end of the power cord that plugs into the back of the PC. It’s got three sockets (the receptacle on the PC’s power supply has three prongs), with a rectangular shape that has two chamfered corners. [In this image,](https://sgcdn.startech.com/005329/media/products/gallery_large/PXT101X.Main.jpg) the plug on the right (for connection to a wall outlet) is called a NEMA 5-15 plug. Is there an official name for the style of the plug on the left? ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/2 "2016-10-25T14:01:57Z")
It’s a C13. More [here at wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60320) ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/3 "2016-10-25T14:05:29Z")
[IEC 60320 C13](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60320#C13.2FC14_coupler) ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/4 "2016-10-25T14:11:33Z")
I’ve always called that an _IEC cable_. Although I’m in the UK and what is on the ‘wall’ end is different. Also heard it called a _Kettle lead_ - I’m fairly sure this is not the ‘official’ name. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/5 "2016-10-25T14:28:29Z")
> [@kferr](#): > > It’s a C13. More [here at wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60320) Great reference page, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/6 "2016-10-25T14:36:52Z")
We call it a kettle lead too. That’s because it is exactly the same as the leads used on electric kettles - not the cordless type of course. ---
**Author:** ![Fridgemagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@Fridgemagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fridgemagnet)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/7 "2016-10-25T15:22:49Z")
I call them IEC leads too, though it’s not a very accurate description as the [IEC](http://www.iec.ch/) are an international standards body that cover just about everything electrical/electronic. They’re not quite the same as a proper kettle lead as these have a [keying recess](https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Images/Products/size_3/TLHL1B.JPG) between live (hot) and neutral (cold). You can safely use a kettle lead in an IEC socket, but the key prevents an IEC lead being used on a kettle. I presume this is for safety as not all IEC leads are rated for the currents that a kettle will draw. ---
**Author:** ![Fridgemagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@Fridgemagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fridgemagnet)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/8 "2016-10-25T15:32:30Z")
Oh, it seems the classic kettle lead is also an IEC standard. I shall have to start referring to kettle leads as “IEC 60320-2-2 (C16)”, and the non-keyed variant as “IEC 60320-2-2 (C14)”. Snappy. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/9 "2016-10-26T04:01:48Z")
> [@kferr](#): > > It’s a C13. More [here at wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60320) Does anyone actually call it a “C13”? [iec leads - Google Search](http://www.google.com.au/search?q=iec+leads) ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/10 "2016-10-26T04:38:40Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Does anyone actually call it a “C13”? [iec leads - Google Search](http://www.google.com.au/search?q=iec+leads) [Yes.](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_3?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=c13+power+cord&sprefix=c13%2Caps%2C137&crid=V073SU6A0YIN) ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/11 "2016-10-26T04:45:37Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Does anyone actually call it a “C13”? [iec leads - Google Search](http://www.google.com.au/search?q=iec+leads) Datacenter tech here. I can’t go more than a day without saying “c-13/14” or “c19/20”. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/12 "2016-10-26T12:20:43Z")
> [@Small\_Clanger](#): > > I’ve always called that an _IEC cable_. Although I’m in the UK and what is on the ‘wall’ end is different. > > Also heard it called a _Kettle lead_ - I’m fairly sure this is not the ‘official’ name. Yeah, ‘kettle’ is common parlance in my experience in the IT industry, although a minority of people call it IEC, wrongly, especially in the context of the question ‘IEC or cloverleaf?’ (wrong becauae cloverleaf is also an IEC standard) ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/13 "2016-10-26T17:34:51Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Yeah, ‘kettle’ is common parlance in my experience in the IT industry, although a minority of people call it IEC, wrongly, especially in the context of the question ‘IEC or cloverleaf?’ > > (wrong becauae cloverleaf is also an IEC standard) I call the “cloverleaf” cord “Mickey Mouse” cords :p… ---
**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-standardized-desktop-computer-power-cord/769678/14 "2016-10-26T22:39:48Z")
I call it an IBM cord. Did they set the standard?