Locking Systems
Locking Power Cord Systems & Compatibility
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KEY RULE Choose the system according to the connection that must be retained: P-Lock for the PDU side, WS-Lock for the equipment side, and D-Lock for both ends. A P-Lock plug only locks when the PDU outlet is P-Lock-compatible; in a standard outlet it remains electrically compatible but non-locking. |
1. Use the correct IEC terminology
A rack power connection has four distinct interfaces. Keeping these names consistent prevents the most common compatibility errors in product descriptions:
|
PDU outlet |
Cord plug |
Cord connector |
Equipment inlet |
|
C13 / C19 / Cx |
C14 / C20 |
C13 / C15 / C19 |
C14 / C16 / C20 |
Power path: PDU outlet → cord plug → cord connector → equipment inlet
2. Quick selection guide
|
System |
PDU-end plug |
Equipment-end connector |
PDU lock |
Device lock |
Compatibility requirement |
|
P-Lock |
C14 or C20 P-Lock |
Standard C13, C15 or C19 |
Yes* |
No |
*Locks only in a compatible P-Lock/SecureLock outlet; standard outlets accept the plug without locking. |
|
WS-Lock |
Standard C14 |
C13 WS-Lock |
No |
Yes |
Locks to a standard C14 equipment inlet; no special equipment inlet is required. |
|
D-Lock |
C14 P-Lock |
C13 S-Lock |
Yes* |
Yes |
*Both ends lock only when the PDU outlet supports P-Lock. With a standard C13 outlet, only the equipment end locks. |
3. Current MK Cable locking range
The current catalogue contains 69 locking cord SKUs across five families. Live stock quantities should remain on the product pages rather than in static marketing copy.
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Range |
Locking point |
Lengths |
Colours |
Rating |
Cable |
Stock SKUs |
|
C14–C13 P-Lock |
PDU |
0.5 / 1 / 1.5 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 m |
Black, blue, red |
10 A / 250 V |
H05VV-F 3G0.75 or 3G1.0 |
18 |
|
C14–C13 WS-Lock |
Equipment |
0.5 / 1 / 1.5 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 m |
Black, blue, red |
10 A / 250 V |
H05VV-F 3G1.0 / 17/3 SJT |
18 |
|
C20–C19 P-Lock |
PDU |
1 / 1.5 / 2 / 3 m |
Black, blue, red |
16 A / 250 V |
H05VV-F 3G1.5 |
12 |
|
C14–C15 P-Lock |
PDU |
0.5 / 1 / 1.5 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 m |
Black, blue, red |
10 A / 250 V |
H05RR-F 3G1.0 |
18 |
|
C14–C13 D-Lock |
Both* |
1 / 2 / 3 m |
Black |
10 A / 250 V |
H05VV-F 3G0.75 or 3G1.0 |
3 |
* D-Lock: dual locking requires a P-Lock-compatible PDU outlet.
Locking Power Cords
MK Cable locking power cords reduce the risk of accidental disconnection in data centres, server rooms and other critical installations. Select the locking system according to the connection that must be secured: P-Lock at the PDU, WS-Lock at the equipment, or D-Lock at both ends.
- P-Lock: positive retention at a compatible PDU outlet.
- WS-Lock: equipment-side retention using a standard IEC C14 inlet.
- D-Lock: equipment-side retention plus PDU-side retention when used with a compatible P-Lock outlet.
All stocked ranges are available without a minimum order quantity. Custom lengths, colours and configurations can be supplied subject to specification, approvals and production quantity.
C14 to C13 P-Lock
Locking point: PDU side
These cords use a C14 P-Lock plug at the PDU end and a standard C13 connector at the equipment end. The P-Lock plug engages with a compatible P-Lock, SecureLock or equivalent locking C13/Cx outlet. It can also be inserted into a standard IEC C13 outlet, but the positive locking function will not engage.
- C14 P-Lock plug for compatible PDU C13/Cx outlets.
- Standard C13 connector for equipment with a C14 inlet.
- Black, blue and red options support A/B-feed and circuit identification.
- 10 A / 250 V; H05VV-F cable; six stocked lengths from 0.5 m to 3 m.
Best used for: servers, switches and network equipment where the PDU outlet must be retained.
C14 to C13 WS-Lock
Locking point: Equipment side
These cords use a standard C14 plug at the PDU end and a C13 WS-Lock connector at the equipment end. The WS-Lock connector is designed to secure to a standard IEC C14 equipment inlet, so no proprietary or modified equipment inlet is required. The PDU-side connection remains non-locking.
- C13 WS-Lock connector secures the server or device connection.
- Compatible with standard IEC C14 equipment inlets.
- Dual-marked H05VV-F 3G1.0 / 17/3 SJT construction with European and North American approvals shown on the product pages.
- Black, blue and red; six stocked lengths from 0.5 m to 3 m.
Best used for: existing racks with standard PDU outlets where the equipment-side connection is the main concern.
C20 to C19 P-Lock
Locking point: PDU side, high-power connection
These cords use a C20 P-Lock plug at the PDU end and a standard C19 connector at the equipment end. The C20 plug locks when paired with a compatible P-Lock C19/Cx outlet. In a standard IEC C19 outlet it remains electrically compatible but does not provide positive retention.
- 16 A / 250 V construction for higher-power rack equipment.
- Standard C19 connector mates with a C20 equipment inlet.
- H05VV-F 3G1.5 cable in black, blue and red.
- Four stocked lengths: 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m and 3 m.
Best used for: higher-power servers, storage systems, UPS equipment and network hardware using C20 inlets.
C14 to C15 P-Lock
Locking point: PDU side, C15/C16 equipment interface
These cords use a C14 P-Lock plug at the PDU end and a C15 connector at the equipment end. The P-Lock plug provides positive retention only with a compatible PDU outlet. The C15 connector is the IEC hot-condition connector intended for equipment with a C16 inlet.
- 10 A / 250 V; H05RR-F 3G1.0 cable.
- Black, blue and red; six stocked lengths from 0.5 m to 3 m.
- C15 connectors are keyed for C16 hot-condition inlets; a C13 connector must not be substituted.
- Use the complete cord set within all ratings stated on its drawing and approval documentation.
Best used for: switches and other equipment fitted with a C16 inlet where PDU-side retention is required.
C14 to C13 D-Lock
Locking point: Both ends, when paired with the correct PDU outlet
D-Lock combines a C14 P-Lock plug at the PDU end with a C13 S-Lock connector at the equipment end. The C13 S-Lock connector secures to a standard C14 equipment inlet. At the PDU end, the C14 P-Lock plug locks only when the PDU outlet supports P-Lock. When used with a standard C13 outlet, the cord still connects electrically, but only the equipment end is positively retained.
- Equipment-side C13 S-Lock fits a standard C14 inlet.
- PDU-side C14 P-Lock requires a compatible locking C13/Cx outlet.
- 10 A / 250 V; H05VV-F cable.
- Stocked in black at 1 m, 2 m and 3 m.
Best used for: mission-critical racks where both the power-source and equipment connections must be secured.
Three compatibility questions
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Will P-Lock lock in any C13/C19 outlet? |
No. It will mate electrically with the corresponding standard outlet, but the positive latch only engages in a P-Lock-compatible outlet. |
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Does D-Lock always lock both ends? |
Only when its C14 P-Lock plug is connected to a compatible PDU outlet. The C13 S-Lock equipment end secures to a standard C14 inlet. |
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Does WS-Lock require a special device inlet? |
No. The C13 WS-Lock connector is designed to secure to a standard IEC C14 equipment inlet. |
5. Compatibility by interface
PDU side
|
PDU outlet |
Cord plug accepted |
Will P-Lock engage? |
Recommended MK range |
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Standard C13 |
C14 or C14 P-Lock |
No; electrical connection only |
WS-Lock if equipment-side retention is sufficient |
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P-Lock-compatible C13/Cx |
C14 P-Lock |
Yes |
C14–C13 P-Lock, C14–C15 P-Lock or D-Lock |
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Standard C19 |
C20 or C20 P-Lock |
No; electrical connection only |
Standard C20 cord or verify another retention method |
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P-Lock-compatible C19/Cx |
C20 P-Lock |
Yes |
C20–C19 P-Lock |
Equipment side
|
Equipment inlet |
Correct cord connector |
Locking options |
Important note |
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C14 |
C13 |
C13 WS-Lock or C13 S-Lock |
Both locking connectors are intended to work with a standard C14 inlet. |
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C16 |
C15 |
Current stock: PDU-side P-Lock only |
C13 does not fit a C16 inlet. C15/C16 is the hot-condition interface. |
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C20 |
C19 |
Current stock: PDU-side C20 P-Lock |
Current C20–C19 stock range does not lock at the equipment end. |
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MODEL CHECK PDU brand alone is not enough to confirm compatibility. Selected Raritan, Server Technology, Vertiv/Geist and Eaton product lines support P-Lock or equivalent retention, but the exact PDU outlet type and model must be checked before claiming a locking connection. |
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