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Brass IEC Appliance Inlet Pins
Brass IEC Appliance Inlet Pins
Brass IEC appliance inlet pins are precision-machined male contact pins used in IEC 60320 standard appliance inlets, power entry modules, and power supply connectors. They mate with IEC 60320 couplers (C13, C15, C19, C5, C7) to provide standardized AC power connections for computers, servers, power supplies, medical equipment, industrial machinery, and household appliances. Manufactured from free-cutting brass CW614N with nickel or tin plating, these pins comply with IEC 60320, IEC 60083, UL 498, and BS 1363 applicable pin geometry requirements. Electrical Accessories India supplies IEC inlet contact pins to appliance manufacturers, power supply OEMs, and electrical equipment distributors. Price: US$ 11.50/kg
Product Overview
IEC 60320 Connector Standard and Pin Types
IEC 60320 (IEC/EN 60320-1) defines the standard dimensions for appliance couplers and inlets for household and similar general-purpose AC power connections. The standard covers connector types from C1 to C24, with the most common being C13/C14 (10A, used for computers and IT equipment), C15/C16 (10A, 120°C heat-resistant for kettles and hot appliances), C19/C20 (16A/20A, used for servers and high-power PDUs), and C5/C6 (2.5A, cloverleaf, used for laptop power supplies). Each connector type defines the exact geometry, pin diameter, pin spacing, and entry aperture for the blade contacts.
Pin Geometry and Dimensions
IEC C14 inlet (10A, 250V) has three flat-blade pins: Line, Neutral, and Earth. Line and Neutral pins are flat rectangular blades (4 mm × 0.8 mm cross-section, 19 mm insertion depth); Earth pin is a flat blade (5 mm × 0.8 mm cross-section, 23.8 mm insertion depth) with slightly larger dimensions for safety coding. IEC C20 inlet (20A, 250V) uses wider flat-blade pins (6.35 mm × 0.8 mm cross-section) with different spacing for 20A couplers. All pin geometries are defined precisely in IEC 60320-1 dimensional tables with tolerances of ±0.1 mm on critical mating dimensions.
Material and Conductivity
IEC appliance inlet pins are manufactured from free-cutting brass CW614N (C36000) providing 26–28% IACS conductivity — adequate for rated currents up to 20A at 250V AC. The low resistance pin contacts minimize voltage drop across the connector. For high-current IEC 60320 Type 2 (20A) applications, heavier pin cross-sections and higher conductivity alloys are specified. All materials comply with RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH SVHC declarations.
Plating and Contact Performance
Standard plating for IEC inlet pins is bright nickel (5–8 µm) over brass providing corrosion resistance in humid equipment environments and good contact resistance below 5 mΩ per IEC 60512-2-1. Tin plating (3–5 µm) is used for lower-cost applications where nickel is not required. Silver plating (3–5 µm) is used for high-cycle-life connectors in server rooms and data centers where connector mating cycles exceed 5,000 insertions per year. All plating processes comply with ASTM B456 and ISO 2081 electroplating standards.
Safety and Certification Requirements
IEC appliance inlet pins for certified products must be manufactured to the dimensional and material requirements of IEC 60320-1 and independently tested/certified by bodies including IECEE CB Scheme, VDE (Germany), UL (USA), TÜV, BSI (UK), and CCC (China). Contact pins are a critical safety component — incorrect pin dimensions prevent proper mating and can cause overheating, arcing, or insufficient contact force. Electrical Accessories India manufactures inlet pins to IEC 60320-1 dimensional tables for use by connector manufacturers who carry the final product certification.
Applications and Compatibility
Brass IEC inlet pins are used by manufacturers of: computer power supply units (ATX PSUs), server PDUs (power distribution units), UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems, medical equipment power inlets (IEC 60601-1), industrial machinery power entry modules, test and measurement equipment, and consumer electronics with IEC power connections. Related products at Electrical Accessories India: Brass Plug Pins, Brass Sockets For Pins, Brass Hollow Pins, Brass Earth Ground Pins, and Brass Terminal Pins.
Key Features
- Manufactured to IEC 60320-1 dimensional tolerances (±0.1 mm on mating dimensions)
- Pin types: C14, C16, C20, C6 inlet blade contacts
- Rated 10A/250V (C14) to 20A/250V (C20)
- Free-cutting brass CW614N for optimal machinability and conductivity
- Nickel, tin, and silver plating options
- Contact resistance <5 mΩ per IEC 60512-2-1
- Operating temperature -25°C to +70°C (standard appliance use)
- RoHS and REACH compliant
C13/C14 Connector Pins (10A, 250V)
IEC C14 male inlet blade pins are the most widely used appliance inlet contacts globally, found in computer power supplies, monitors, printers, and AV equipment. Flat-blade pin geometry per IEC 60320-1 Table A1. Pin L/N: 4 mm × 0.8 mm × 19 mm; Pin E: 5 mm × 0.8 mm × 23.8 mm. Rated 10A, 250V AC, 70°C ambient temperature. Material brass, nickel plated per standard.
C19/C20 Connector Pins (16A/20A, 250V)
IEC C20 male inlet pins are used for high-power server, data center PDU, and UPS applications rated at 16A (IEC 60320) or 20A (UL 60320) per single-phase connection. Wider 6.35 mm blade pins handle higher current density. Used in rack-mount PDUs, server power supplies over 1 kW, and industrial power entry modules.
C5/C6 Cloverleaf Pins (2.5A)
IEC C6 male cloverleaf inlet pins are used in laptop power bricks, projectors, and small electronics. Three round-profile blade pins in triangular arrangement per IEC 60320-1 Table A4 for 2.5A, 250V service with polarized 3-way earth contact.
Medical Grade IEC Inlet Pins
IEC 60320 inlet pins for medical equipment power inlets (IEC 60601-1, Type B and BF classification) require additional isolation and leakage current compliance. Pin contacts are manufactured to tighter tolerances and with surface finishes minimizing leakage current paths across the connector body.
Lock-Type IEC Inlet Pins
IEC 60320-1 locking appliance inlet pins (per IEC 60320-1 Amendment and compatible with locking coupler designs) provide mechanical retention of the power cord in vibrating environments such as industrial machinery, vehicles, and rack equipment. Locking feature is in the housing, not the pin itself; pins maintain standard IEC 60320 dimensions.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | C14 Inlet (10A) | C20 Inlet (16/20A) | C6 Inlet (2.5A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage Rating | 250V AC | 250V AC | 250V AC |
| Current Rating | 10A | 16A / 20A | 2.5A |
| Pin L/N Size | 4 × 0.8 mm blade | 6.35 × 0.8 mm blade | Round profile (per IEC) |
| Pin E Size | 5 × 0.8 mm blade | 6.35 × 0.8 mm blade | Round profile (per IEC) |
| Insertion Depth | 19 mm (L/N), 23.8 mm (E) | Per IEC 60320-1 Table | Per IEC 60320-1 |
| Material | Brass CW614N / C36000 | ||
| Plating | Nickel 5–8 µm / Tin 3–5 µm / Silver 3–5 µm | ||
| Contact Resistance | <5 mΩ per IEC 60512-2-1 | ||
| Operating Temp. | -25°C to +70°C (standard) / +120°C (C16 type) | ||
| Price | US$ 11.50/kg | ||
Material Grades
| Material | EN | ASTM | BS | India IS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free-Cutting Brass | CW614N | C36000 | CZ121 | IS 319 |
| DZR Brass | CW602N | C35300 | CZ132 | — |
IEC 60320 Connector Types – Overview Table
| IEC Type (Inlet) | Coupler Mate | Rating | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| C14 | C13 | 10A / 250V | Computers, AV equipment, PSUs |
| C16 | C15 | 10A / 250V / 120°C | Kettles, hot appliances |
| C20 | C19 | 16–20A / 250V | Servers, data center PDUs, UPS |
| C6 | C5 (cloverleaf) | 2.5A / 250V | Laptop PSUs, projectors |
| C8 | C7 (figure-8) | 2.5A / 250V | Small electronics, shavers |
| C22 | C21 | 16A / 250V / 155°C | High-temp industrial appliances |
Applications by Industry
| Industry | Application |
|---|---|
| IT / Data Center | Server PSU inlets, rack PDU connectors (C14, C20) |
| Medical Equipment | IEC 60601-1 power inlets for medical devices |
| Industrial Machinery | Machine power entry modules, control panel inlets |
| Consumer Electronics | TV, audio, projector, appliance power inlets |
| UPS / Power Systems | UPS input/output IEC connectors (C14, C20) |
| Test Equipment | Bench power supply and instrument power inlets |
| Telecom Equipment | Base station, rack equipment power connections |
Manufacturing Process
IEC appliance inlet blade pins are precision-machined from free-cutting brass flat rod (rectangular cross-section brass bar) on CNC milling centers and CNC turning centers. The flat-blade profile (4 mm × 0.8 mm or 6.35 mm × 0.8 mm) is maintained to ±0.05 mm dimensional tolerance on all mating surfaces. Pin ends are beveled to facilitate connector mating. Base features (crimp barrel or solder tail) are machined in the same operation. The Earth pin is manufactured to slightly larger dimensions per IEC 60320-1 safety coding requirements. Nickel plating in electrolytic nickel sulfamate baths provides consistent plating thickness within ±0.5 µm across the blade surface. Dimensional inspection uses Go/No-Go gauges calibrated to IEC 60320-1 dimensional requirements. Material test certificates and RoHS declarations accompany each production lot.
Quality Standards and Certifications
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | Quality Management System |
| IEC 60320-1 | Appliance couplers — general requirements and tests |
| IEC 60083 | Plugs and socket-outlets for domestic use |
| UL 498 | Attachment plugs and receptacles (US market) |
| IEC 60512-2-1 | Contact resistance of connector contacts |
| ASTM B456 | Electrodeposited nickel plating |
| RoHS 2011/65/EU | Restriction of hazardous substances |
| REACH SVHC | Chemical compliance declaration |
Why Choose Electrical Accessories India
- IEC 60320-1 dimensional compliance with ±0.1 mm mating tolerance
- In-house nickel and tin plating with controlled bath chemistry
- Go/No-Go gauge verification on 100% of IEC inlet pins
- ISO 9001:2015 certified with full traceability
- Competitive pricing at US$ 11.50/kg — cost-effective for high-volume connector manufacturing
- Export to appliance manufacturers in USA, Germany, China, Japan, and 35+ countries
FAQ – Brass IEC Appliance Inlet Pins
Q1. What IEC 60320 connector types do you supply pins for?
We supply blade contact pins for C14 (10A), C16 (10A/120°C), C20 (16A/20A), C6 (2.5A cloverleaf), and C8 (2.5A figure-8) IEC inlets. Contact us for other IEC 60320 types.
Q2. What is the current rating for IEC C14 inlet pins?
IEC C14 inlet pins are rated 10A at 250V AC per IEC 60320-1 for standard temperature applications.
Q3. Are your IEC inlet pins dimensionally compliant with IEC 60320-1?
Yes. All pins are machined to IEC 60320-1 dimensional tables with ±0.1 mm tolerances on critical mating dimensions, verified by calibrated Go/No-Go gauges.
Q4. What plating do you recommend for data center PDU applications?
Silver plating (3–5 µm) is recommended for high-cycle data center PDU applications where connectors are mated/unmated frequently. Nickel plating is standard for lower-cycle applications.
Q5. Can your IEC inlet pins be used in medical equipment?
Our brass IEC inlet pins are manufactured to IEC 60320-1 dimensional requirements and can be used by medical equipment manufacturers who carry IEC 60601-1 certification for their products. We supply component-level MTC and RoHS/REACH declarations.
Q6. What is the difference between C14 and C20 inlet pins?
C14 pins are 4 mm × 0.8 mm blades for 10A service. C20 pins are 6.35 mm × 0.8 mm wider blades for 16A/20A service. Pin spacing and entry aperture are also different, making C19/C20 non-interchangeable with C13/C14 for safety.
Q7. Do you supply pins for both inlet (male) and coupler (female) connectors?
We supply male blade contact pins for appliance inlets. Female socket contacts for couplers are available from our Brass Sockets For Pins range.
Q8. What is the minimum order quantity?
Minimum 5,000 pieces per type for standard IEC pin sizes. Sample quantities of 500–1,000 pcs available for engineering evaluation.
Q9. Are IEC inlet pins RoHS compliant?
Yes. All IEC inlet pins are RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH SVHC compliant. Lead-free brass and lead-free nickel/tin plating are standard.
Q10. Can you supply IEC inlet pins with PPAP documentation?
Yes. PPAP Level 3 documentation including dimensional report, MTC, process FMEA, and control plan available for volume customers requiring formal quality documentation.
International Terminology
| Language | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Pines de entrada de aparatos IEC latón | Contactos de conector IEC latón | Pines IEC 60320 de latón |
| Russian | Латунные штыри разъёмов IEC | Контакты вилки прибора IEC латунь | Штыри МЭК 60320 латунные |
| French | Broches d’entrée appareils IEC laiton | Contacts connecteur IEC laiton | Broches IEC 60320 laiton |
| Portuguese | Pinos de entrada de aparelhos IEC latão | Contatos conector IEC latão | Pinos IEC 60320 latão |
| Italian | Spinotti ingresso apparecchi IEC ottone | Contatti connettore IEC ottone | Pin IEC 60320 in ottone |
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- Brass Earth Ground Pins
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- Brass Spring Contact Pins (Pogo Pins)
- Brass Header Pins / Male Connector Pins
- Brass Terminal Pins
- Brass Dowel Pins
- Brass Round Pins / Solid Pins
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Request a Quote
Contact Electrical Accessories India for pricing, samples, and bulk order enquiries for brass IEC appliance inlet pins.
📧 Email: sales@elecaccs.com
📞 Phone: +91-22-43449300 | +91-22-43449323
📍 Address: Plot 10, GIDC Industrial Estate, Shanker Tekri, Jamnagar 361004, Gujarat, India