C13 to C20 power cord
This cord has a C13 coupler on one end and a C20 plug on the other. It connects equipment with a normal C14 inlet to a C19 outlet.
| C13 end | Goes into the C14 inlet on the server, switch or storage PSU |
| C20 end | Goes into a C19 outlet on a rack PDU or UPS |
| Rating | Limited by the C13 end: 10 A (IEC) or 15 A (North America) |
When it is useful
- All C13 outlets on the PDU are taken, but C19 outlets are free.
- A UPS has C19 outlets and you want to plug in a server with a C14 inlet.
- You are mixing high-watt GPU servers (C20) and normal 1U/2U servers (C14) on the same PDU and want to use every outlet.
What to check
The C19 outlet is usually on a 16 A or 20 A branch, and the C13 end of this cord is rated lower. That is fine for a PSU that draws within the C13 rating (most PSUs up to about 1600 W on 200–240 V). Do not use it to daisy-chain power strips. Check the PDU's per-bank breaker so the total load on that bank stays under its limit.
The reverse case
A C19-to-C14 cord (C20-inlet server into a C13 outlet) exists, but a high-watt PSU can draw more than a C13 outlet is rated for. Avoid it unless the PSU is power-capped. See C13 PDU, C19 server.
Related: C13 vs C19, C19 vs C20, PDU power cord compatibility.
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