scope:

This part of lEC 60320 sets the general requirements for appliance couplers for two poles and two poles with earth contact and for the connection of electrical devices for household and similar onto the mains supply.

This document is also valid for appliance inlets/appliance outlets integrated or incorporated in appliances.

The rated voltage does not exceed 250 V (AC) and the rated current does not exceed 16 A.

Appliance couplers complying with this document are suitable for normal use at ambient temperatures not normally exceeding +40 °C, but their average over a period of 24 h does not exceed +35 °C, with a lower limit of the ambient air temperature of −5 °C.

Annex E provides test requirements for derating the operating current of an accessory when used in ambient temperatures above +35 °C up to and including +90 °C.

Appliance couplers are not suitable for:

- use in place of plug and socket-outlet systems according to IEC 60884-1;

- use in place of devices for connecting luminaires (DCLs) according to IEC 61995 or luminaire supporting couplers (LSCs);

- use in place of installation couplers according to IEC 61535.