IEC connectors or plugs are a broad class of power connectors used for a variety of purposes in compliance with International Electrotechnical Commission standards.
IEC connectors are not a specific type of connector. Rather, they are a broad category of different types of electrical and electrical connectors that conform to International Electrotechnical Commission standards (IEC standards). These connectors serve many markets, including medical, consumer products (white and brown goods), industrial, automotive, transportation, test and measurement, and more. Hundreds of interconnected products as well as capacitors, transformers, cables, sensors, fuses and other components are tested and standardized by IEC. IEC connectors are identified by a number system that designates the specific relevant standard.
Summary of IEC Connector Standards
IEC 60130: Connectors for frequencies below 3 MHz
IEC 60169: RF Connectors
IEC 60320: Appliance couplers
IEC 60339: General purpose rigid coaxial transmission lines and their associated flange connectors
IEC 60457: Rigid precision coaxial and related precision connectors
IEC 60498: High Voltage Coaxial Connectors for Nuclear Instrumentation
IEC 60512: Connectors for electronic equipment - Test and measurement
IEC 60603: Connectors below 3 MHz for use on printed boards
IEC 60803: Recommended Dimensions for Hexagonal and Square Crimp Cavities, Crimp Heads, Outer Conductor Crimp Sleeves, and Center Contact Crimp Barrels for Radio Frequency Cables and Connectors
IEC 60807: Rectangular connectors for frequencies below 3 MHz
IEC 60828: Reference pin assignments for microprocessor systems using IEC 60603-2 connectors
IEC 60874: Optical fibre interconnection equipment and passive components - Optical fibre and cable connectors
IEC 61076: Connectors for electronic equipment - Product requirements
IEC TR 61141: Upper frequency limit for RF coaxial connectors
IEC 61169: RF Connectors
IEC 61238: Compression and mechanical connectors for power cables rated up to 30 kV (Um = 36 kV)
IEC 61274: Fiber optic interconnecting equipment and passive components - Fiber optic connector adapters
IEC TS 61586: Reliability assessment of electrical connectors
IEC TR 61602: Connectors for audio, video and audiovisual engineering
IEC 61726: Cable Assemblies, Cables, Connectors and Passive Microwave Components - Measurement of Shielding Attenuation by Reverberation Chamber Method
IEC 61754: Optical fiber interconnection equipment and passive components - Optical fiber connector interface
IEC 61755: Optical fiber interconnection equipment and passive components - Connector optical interface
IEC 61984: Connectors - Safety requirements and tests
IEC 62196: Plugs, sockets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets - Conductive charging of electric vehicles
IEC 62197: Connectors for electronic equipment - Requirements for quality assessment
IEC 63171-6:2021 : Covers 2 way and 4 way (data/power), shielded, free and fixed connectors for data transmission at frequencies up to 600 MHz
IEC 80369: Small bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications
Single pair Ethernet connector that meets the IEC 63171-6 standard.
Many other IEC standards are highly connector-related, especially those that deal with cables and other connector-adjacent technologies. IEC 60038 for standardized voltage, IEC 61760 for standardized surface mount technology, and IEC 60059 for standardized current ratings are also at the heart of the interconnect.
Adopted by the US and Canada in 2020, the IEC 60320 standard creates a globally harmonized standard for power plugs.
IEC standards are developed with input from industry and research institutions.
IEC standards are often adopted as national or regional standards; nearly 80% of European electrical and electronic standards are actually IEC international standards.
IEC has a well-defined and strictly controlled standards development process. It manages the development and publication of IEC International Standards and reviews stakeholder input at various stages of development.
Testing that supports IEC standards is transparent, predictable, comparable and affordable.
IEC standards help reduce trade barriers caused by different certification standards in different countries.
The IEC prioritizes energy efficiency through several technical committees, with a focus on e-mobility systems, electricity supply infrastructure, autonomous driving technologies and in-vehicle multimedia systems.
UL standards largely follow IEC standards.
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