Plug & Socket Types

There are currently 15 types of electrical outlet plugs in use today, each of which has been assigned a letter by
the US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (ITA), starting with A and moving through
the alphabet. These letters are completely arbitrary: they don’t actually mandate anything.
 Type A

• mainly used in the USA, Canada, Mexico & Japan (for a full list, click here)
• 2 pins
• not grounded
• 15 A
• almost always 100 – 127 V
• socket compatible with plug type A

TYPE A

Type A is used, for instance, in North and Central America and Japan. (Click here for a complete list of all
countries that use type A)
This class II ungrounded plug with two flat parallel prongs is pretty much standard in most of North and Central
America. It is known as NEMA 1-15 and was invented in 1904 by Harvey Hubbell II. The plug has two flat 1.5 mm
thick blades, measuring 15.9 – 18.3 mm in length and spaced 12.7 mm apart. Type A plugs are generally
polarised and can only be inserted one way because the two blades do not have the same width. The blade
connected to neutral is 7.9 mm wide and the hot blade is 6.3 mm wide. This plug is rated at 15 A.

Type A and B plugs have two flat prongs with a hole near the tip. These holes aren’t there without a reason. If
you were to take apart a type A or B socket and look at the contact wipers that the prongs slide into, you would
find that in some cases they have have bumps on them. These bumps fit into the holes so that the outlet can
grip the plug’s prongs more firmly. This prevents the plug from slipping out of the socket due to the weight of the
plug and cord. It also improves the contact between the plug and the outlet. Some sockets, however, do not have
those bumps but just two spring-action blades that grip the sides of the plug pin, in which case the holes are not
necessary.

There are also some special outlets which allow you to lock the cord into the socket, by putting rods through the
holes. In this way, vending machines and the like cannot be unplugged. Moreover, electrical devices can
be factory-sealed by the manufacturer using a plastic tie or a small padlock through one or both of the plug prong
holes. For example, a manufacturer might apply a plastic band through the hole and attach it to a tag that says:
“You must do X or Y before plugging in this device”. The user cannot plug in the device without removing the tag,
so the user is sure to see the tag.

Type A and B plugs are not insulated (i.e. the pin shanks do not have a black covering towards the plug body
like type C, G, I, L or N plugs) and the outlets are not recessed into the wall, which means that if a the plug is
pulled halfway out, its prongs are still connected to the socket. Type A and B sockets are potentially dangerous,
since the distance between the receptacle and a partially pulled-out plug is big enough to touch the pins with
your fingers or with a metal object such as a teaspoon.
 Type B

• mainly used in the USA, Canada, Mexico & Japan (for a full list, click here)
• 3 pins
• grounded
• 15 A
• almost always 100 – 127 V
• socket compatible with plug types A & B

TYPE B

Type B is used, for instance, in North and Central America and Japan. (Click here for a complete list of all
countries that use type B)
This class I plug is designated as American standard NEMA 5-15. It has two flat 1.5 mm thick blades, spaced 12.7
mm apart, measuring 15.9 – 18.3 mm in length and 6.3 mm in width. It also has a 4.8 mm diameter round or U-
shaped earth pin, which is 3.2 mm longer than the two flat blades, so the device is grounded before the power is
connected. The centre-to-centre distance between the grounding pin and the middle of the imaginary line
connecting the two power blades is 11.9 mm. The plug is rated at 15 amps.

In some parts of Central and South America, grounded type B outlets are still rather uncommon. Therefore
people often simply cut off the earth pin of a type B plug in order to mate it with a two-pole ungrounded socket.

Type A and B plugs are not insulated (i.e. the pin shanks do not have a black covering towards the plug body
like type C, G, I, L or N plugs) and the outlets are not recessed into the wall, which means that if a the plug is
pulled halfway out, its prongs are still connected to the socket. Type A and B sockets are potentially dangerous,
since the distance between the receptacle and a partially pulled-out plug is big enough to touch the pins with
your fingers or with a metal object such as a teaspoon.
 Type C

• commonly used in Europe, South America & Asia (for a full list, click here)
• 2 pins
• not grounded
• 2.5 A
• almost always 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug type C

TYPE C

Type C is used in all countries of Europe except the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. (Click here for a
complete list of all countries that use type C)
Type C is probably the single most widely used international plug. This two-wire plug is ungrounded and has two
round prongs. It is popularly known as the Europlug which is described in CEE 7/16. The plug has two 4 mm
round pins, measuring 19 mm in length on centres spaced 18.6 mm apart at the base and 17.5 mm apart at the
tip. The two pins have 10 mm long insulated sleeves. They converge slightly, but they are relatively flexible which
allows the plug to mate with any socket that accepts 4.0 – 4.8 mm round contacts on 17.5 – 19 mm centres. The
plug is generally limited for use in class II applications that require 2.5 amps or less. It is, of course, unpolarised.
It is commonly used in all countries of Europe except in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. It is also
used in various parts of the developing world. Whereas type C plugs are very commonly used, this is not the case
for type C sockets. This kind of socket is the older and ungrounded variant of socket types E, F, J, K or N.
Nowadays most countries demand grounded sockets to be installed in new buildings. Since type C sockets are
ungrounded, they have become illegal almost everywhere and they are being replaced by type
E, F, J, K or N (depending on the country). So as to leave no doubt: only the sockets have become illegal, the plugs
remain in use of course. A type C plug fits perfectly into a type E, F, J, K or N socket.
 Type D

• mainly used in India (for a full list, click here)

• 3 pins
• grounded
• 5A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug type D (partial and unsafe compatibility with C, E & F)

TYPE D

Type D is used almost exclusively in India and Nepal. (Click here for a complete list of all countries that use type
D)
India has standardized on a plug which was originally defined in British Standard 546 (the standard in Great
Britain before 1947). This 5 amp plug has three round prongs that form a triangle. The central earth pin is 20.6
mm long and has a diameter of 7.1 mm. The 5.1 mm line and neutral pins are 14.9 mm long, on centres spaced
19.1 mm apart. The centre-to-centre distance between the grounding pin and the middle of the imaginary line
connecting the two power pins is 22.2 mm. Type M, which has larger pins and is rated at 15 amps, is used
alongside type D for larger appliances in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan. Some sockets can take both type
M and type D plugs.

Incidentally, there is an unintended compatibility between type D sockets and various European plugs. Although
the centres of the prongs of a Europlug (type C) are closer together (17.5-18.6 mm vs 19.1 mm) than those of a
type D plug, a Europlug often fits into a type D outlet without much effort, largely thanks to the elasticity of its
pins. However, the plug cannot be fully inserted into a D receptacle, because the prongs are inelastic at the base
of the plug and they are longer than the pins of type D plugs (19 mm vs 14.9 mm). This is the reason why type C
plugs do not always make proper contact and may cause the socket to spark, which, in some cases, might result
in a short-circuit.

Whereas type C plugs and type D sockets could be considered an unsafe, but ‘relatively workable’ combination,
using E/F plugs with D outlets is downright dangerous. The centres of the pins of type E & F plugs are slightly
closer together (19 mm vs 19.1 mm) than those of type D, but unlike Europlugs (type C), they do not have flexible
prongs. This means they literally have to be forced into the receptacle. Obviously, this kind of improper use
poses an enormous safety hazard for a number of reasons. Firstly – unlike type C – E & F plugs are supposed to
be grounded, but when they are used with type D outlets, this won’t be the case. So, be prepared for a sparking
receptacle and a regularly tripping circuit breaker. Moreover, type E and F plugs cannot be fully inserted into a D
socket, because the pins are longer than the pins of type D plugs (19 mm vs 14.9 mm). This means that 4.1 mm
of the pins of plug types E & F will still be exposed when plugged in and if you were to touch the live prong, you
most certainly will get an electric shock. This risk does not exist with type C plugs, since their pins are coated in
insulation.

Although type D is now almost exclusively used in India and Nepal, it can still occasionally be found in hotels in
the UK. It should be noted that tourists should not attempt to connect anything to a BS 546 round-pin outlet
found in the UK as it is likely to be on a circuit that has a special purpose: e.g. for providing direct current (DC) or
for plugging in lamps that are controlled by a light switch or a dimmer.

Type D plugs are among the most dangerous ones in the world: the prongs are not insulated (i.e. the pin shanks
do not have a black covering towards the plug body like type C, G, I, L or N plugs), which means that if a type D
plug is pulled halfway out, its prongs are still connected to the socket! Little children run the risk of electrocuting
themselves when pulling such a plug out and putting their fingers around it. Type D outlets are not recessed into
the wall, so they do not provide any protection from touching the live pins either.
 Type E

• primarily used in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia & Czechia (for a full list, click here)
• 2 pins
• grounded
• 16 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug types C, E & F

TYPE E

Type E is primarily used in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Tunisia and Morocco.
(Click here for a complete list of all countries that use type E)
 France, Belgium and some other countries have standardized on a
socket which is different from the CEE 7/4 socket (type F) that is standard in Germany and other continental
European countries. The reason for incompatibility is that grounding in the E socket is accomplished with a
round male pin, which is permanently mounted in the socket. This earth pin is 14 mm long and has a diameter of
4.8 mm. The plug itself is similar to C except that it is round and has the addition of a female contact to accept
the socket’s grounding pin. The plug has two 4.8 mm round pins, measuring 19 mm in length on centres spaced
19 mm apart. The centre-to-centre distance between the female contact and the middle of the imaginary line
connecting the two power pins is 10 mm.

In order to bridge the differences between sockets E and F, the CEE 7/7 plug was developed (see photo on the
left): it has grounding clips on both sides to mate with the type F socket and a female contact to accept the
grounding pin of the type E socket. The original type E plug, which does not have grounding clips, is no longer
used, although very rarely it can still be found on some older appliances. Note that the CEE 7/7 plug is polarised
when used with a type E outlet. The plug is rated at 16 amps. Above that, equipment must either be wired
permanently to the mains or connected via another higher power connector such as the IEC 60309 system.
A type C plug fits perfectly into a type E socket. The socket is recessed by 15 mm, so partially inserted plugs do
not present a shock hazard.
 Type F

• used almost everywhere in Europe & Russia, except for the UK & Ireland (for a full list, click here)
• 2 pins
• grounded
• 16 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug types C, E & F

TYPE F

Type F is used, for instance, in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and
Eastern Europe. (Click here for a complete list of all countries that use type F)
Plug F is known as CEE 7/4 and commonly called “Schuko plug”, which is the acronym of “Schutzkontakt”, a
German word meaning “protection contact” or “safety contact”. The plug was designed in Germany shortly after
the First World War. It goes back to a patent (DE 370538) granted in 1926 to Albert Büttner, a Bavarian
manufacturer of electrical accessories.

Type F is similar to C except that it is round and has the addition of two grounding clips on the side of the plug.
The plug has two 4.8 mm round pins, measuring 19 mm in length on centres spaced 19 mm apart. The distance
between either of the two earthing clips and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the centres of the two
power pins is 16 mm.

Because the CEE 7/4 plug can be inserted in either direction into the receptacle, the Schuko connection system is
unpolarised (i.e. line and neutral are connected at random). It is used in applications up to 16 amps. Above that,
equipment must either be wired permanently to the mains or connected via another higher power connector
such as the IEC 60309 system.

In order to bridge the differences between sockets E and F, the CEE 7/7 plug was developed. This plug, which is
shown above, has earthing clips on both sides to mate with the type F socket and a female contact to accept the
earth pin of the type E socket. The original type F plug, which does not have this female contact, is now obsolete,
but a rewireable version may still be available at some DIY shops. A type C plug fits perfectly into a type F socket.
The socket is recessed by 15 mm, so partially inserted plugs do not present a shock hazard.
 Type G

• mainly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Malaysia & Singapore (for a full list, click here)
• 3 pins
• grounded
• 13 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug type G

TYPE G

Type G is mainly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
(Click here for a complete list of all countries that use type G)
This 13 amp plug has three rectangular prongs that form an isosceles triangle. The central earth pin is 4 by 8 mm
and 22.7 mm long. Line and neutral pins are 4 by 6.35 mm and 17.7 mm long, on centres spaced 22.2 mm apart.
The centre-to-centre distance between the earth pin and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two
power pins is 22.2 mm. The 9-mm long insulated sleeves prevent accidental contact with a bare connector while
the plug is partially inserted.

British Standard BS 1363 requires use of a three-wire grounded and fused plug for all connections to the power
mains. Two-wire class II appliances are not earthed and often have a plastic grounding pin which only serves to
open the shutters of the outlet. The lack of such an earth pin on a type C plug makes it impossible to connect it
to a type G receptacle, although it can actually be forced into the socket by sticking a pointy (dry, non-metallic !)
object into the centre hole of the power outlet, which opens up the two other holes. Just to be perfectly clear,
this is not a piece of advice; it’s simply an observation!

In the UK, the power sockets in a house are connected by means of ring circuits, which are protected by 32 A
circuit breakers. This type of wiring is rarely used outside the UK and requires the use of fused plugs. Small
appliances, like mobile phone chargers, usually have a 3 A cartridge fuse inside the plug; heavy duty appliances,
such as coffee makers, have a plug with a 13 amp cartridge fuse. Almost everywhere else in the world radial
circuits are used. In this system each wall socket, or group of sockets, has a circuit breaker at the main
switchboard, so there is no need for plugs to be fused. As a result, if you take some foreign appliance to the UK,
you can use an adaptor, but technically it must incorporate the correct value fuse. Most would have a 13 amps
one, too big for computers for example. Type G plugs and sockets started appearing in 1946 and the standard
was first published in 1947. By the end of the 1950s, it had replaced the earlier type D outlets and plugs (BS 546)
in new installations in the UK, and by the end of the 1960s, most earlier installations had been rewired to the
new standard. Type G wall sockets almost always include switches for extra safety.

UK plugs are no doubt among the safest in the world, but also among the most hulking and cumbersome. That’s
why people often make fun of them saying that a British plug is mostly bigger than the appliance it is connected
to… Moreover, the bottom-heavy design of the plug makes it a perfect caltrop.
 Type H

• used exclusively in Israel, the West Bank & the Gaza Strip (for a full list, click here)
• 3 pins
• grounded
• 16 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug types C & H (unsafe compatibility with E & F)

TYPE H

Type H is used exclusively in Israel and Palestine. (Click here for a complete list of all countries of the world with
their respective plugs/sockets)
This earthed 16 amp plug is unique to Israel. It has three 4.5 mm round prongs, measuring 19 mm in length and
forming a triangle. The centres of the line and neutral pins are spaced 19 mm apart. The centre-to-centre
distance between the earth pin and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins is 9.5 mm.

Type H outlets also accept type C plugs. This was not the case before 1989, when the Israeli plug still had flat
prongs. Power outlets made since 1989 accept both flat and round pin plugs. The original flat-bladed type H
plugs have now become obsolete, but they can still occasionally be found. This plug is also used in the West Bank
and all of the Gaza Strip.

Strictly speaking, type H sockets are incompatible with type E or type F plugs, because the diameter of the Israeli
socket contacts is 0.3 mm smaller than the prongs of E/F plugs. However, if you push really hard, you can often
force such plugs into an Israeli outlet. Bear in mind, though, that the appliance will not be earthed and that it is
very hard to pull the plug back out!

Type H plugs are among the most dangerous ones in the world: the prongs are not insulated (i.e. the pin shanks
do not have a black covering towards the plug body like type C, G, I, L or N plugs), which means that if a type H
plug is pulled halfway out, its prongs are still connected to the socket! Little children run the risk of electrocuting
themselves when pulling such a plug out and putting their fingers around it. Type H outlets are not recessed into
the wall, so they do not provide any protection from touching the live pins either.
 Type I

• mainly used in Australia, New Zealand, China & Argentina (for a full list, click here)
• 2 or 3 pins
• 2 pins: not grounded / 3 pins: grounded
• 10 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug type I

TYPE I

Type I is mainly used in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, China and Argentina. (Click here for a
complete list of all countries that use type I)
This 10 amp plug has two flat 1.6 mm thick blades, set at 30° to the vertical, forming an upside-down V. Their
centres are spaced 13.7 mm apart and both prongs measure 17.3 mm in length and 6.3 mm in width. The flat
earth blade also measures 6.3 by 1.6 mm, but it is 20 mm long. The distance between the centre of the
grounding pin and the middle of the plug is 10.3 mm. There is an ungrounded version of this plug as well, with
only two flat V-shaped prongs. Both plug versions have insulated live and neutral pins, so even if the plug is not
fully inserted into a socket, touching the exposed part of the prongs can’t give you a shock.

A plug/socket configuration rated at 15 amps is also available, but the ground pin is wider: 8 mm instead of 6.3
mm. A standard 10 amp plug will fit into a 15 amp outlet, but a 15 amp plug only fits this special 15 amp socket.
There is also a 20 amp plug whose prongs are wider still. A lower-amperage plug will always fit into a higher-
amperage outlet but not vice versa. Australia’s plug/socket system is codified as standard AS 3112. Although
there are slight differences (the pins of Chinese plugs are 1 mm longer and the sockets are installed with the
earth contact facing upwards), the Australian plug mates with the socket used in the People’s Republic of China
(mainland China).

The reason as to why the dimensions of the Australian type I are very similar to those of type A is because the
Australasian standard is actually an obsolete type of American plug. It was patented in 1916 by Harvey Hubbell II,
the same electrical engineer who had invented the type A plug. Hubbell’s three-blade design never proved
popular in the U.S. because of its incompatibility with the existing type A plug, but it was favoured in Australia
over the British type D system, because it was easier for local manufacturers to make plugs with flat pins rather
than round ones. In the 1930s, the predominant Australian electrical accessory manufacturers, along with the
State Electricity Commission of Victoria, decided to standardize on Hubbell’s design.
 Type J

• used almost exclusively in Switzerland, Liechtenstein & Rwanda (for a full list, click here)
• 3 pins
• grounded
• 10 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug types C & J

TYPE J

Type J is used almost exclusively in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. (Click here for a complete list of all countries
that use type J)
Switzerland has its own standard which is described in SEC 1011. This plug is similar to C, except that it has the
addition of a grounding pin. Type J plugs have three 4 mm round pins, measuring 19 mm in length. The centres
of the line and neutral prongs are spaced 19 mm apart and they have 10 mm long insulated sleeves. Older
versions of this plug have unsleeved pins. Type J looks very much like the Brazilian type Nstandard, but it is
incompatible with it since type J has the earth pin further away from the centre line than type N: the centre-to-
centre distance between the earth pin and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins is 5
mm. This connector system is rated for use in applications up to 10 amps. Above 10 A, equipment must be either
wired permanently to the electrical supply system with appropriate branch circuit protection or connected to the
mains with an appropriate high power industrial connector. A type C plug fits perfectly into a type J socket.
 Type K

• used almost exclusively in Denmark & Greenland (for a full list, click here)
• 3 pins
• grounded
• 16 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug types C & K (unsafe compatibility with E & F)

TYPE K

Type K is used almost exclusively in Denmark and Greenland. (Click here for a complete list of all countries that
use type K)
The Danish standard is described in DS 60884-2-D1. Unlike the similar type E plug, the grounding pin is not
mounted in the receptacle, but it is on the plug itself. The U-shaped earthing pin is 14 mm long, 4 mm thick and
has a 6.5 mm diameter. The line and the neutral pins of type K are round and have a 4.8 mm diameter. They are
19 mm in length and their centres are spaced 19 mm apart. The centre-to-centre distance between the earth pin
and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins is 13 mm. The plug is rated at 16 A. A type
C plug fits perfectly into a type K socket. The Danish socket will also accept plug types E and F: however, there is
no grounding connection with these plugs because a male ground pin is required on the plug. Because of the
huge amount of imported European appliances fitted with E/F plugs, the Danish government decided to make it
legal to install type E or F sockets too. So, the expectation is that, in the long term, the standard European type
F socket (or – but this is less likely – the less frequently used type E) will eventually replace the Danish type K
socket.
 Type L

• used almost exclusively in Italy & Chile (for a full list, click here)
• 3 pins
• grounded
• 10 A & 16 A
• 220 – 240 V
• 10 A socket compatible with plug types C & L (10 A version) / 16 A socket compatible with plug type L (16 A
version)

TYPE L

Type L is used almost exclusively in Italy, Chile and is also randomly found throughout North Africa.
(Click here for a complete list of all countries that use type L)

The Italian grounded plug/socket standard, CEI 23-16/VII, includes two styles rated at 10 and 16 amps. Both plug
top styles consist of three rounded pins placed in a straight line. They differ in terms of contact diameter and
spacing, and are therefore incompatible with each other. The 10 amp version has three 4 mm round pins,
measuring 19 mm in length. The centres of the line and neutral pins are spaced 19 mm apart. The distance
between the centres of either of the two outer prongs and the centre of the ground pin is 9.5 mm. The 10 amp
style socket also accepts type C plugs.
On the left the bipasso socket, on the right the bipasso-Schuko socket.
The 16 amp version has three 5 mm round pins, measuring 19 mm in length. The centres of the line and neutral
pins are spaced 26 mm apart. The distance between the centres of either of the two outer prongs and the centre
of the ground pin is 13 mm. Since both plugs are symmetrical, they can be inserted in either direction, which
means they are unpolarised.

Nowadays there are also universal sockets available, of which there are two kinds: first, there is the so-
called bipasso receptacle (literally: twin-gauge outlet), a very commonly used socket which accepts C plugs as well
as both styles of L plugs. Second, there is the bipasso-Schuko receptacle, which even adds compatibility with
plug types E & F.
 Type M

• mainly used in South Africa (for a full list, click here)

• 3 pins
• grounded
• 15 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug type M

TYPE M

Type M is used almost exclusively in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. (Click here for a complete list of all
countries that use type M)
This plug resembles the Indian type Dplug, but its pins are much larger. Type M is a 15 amp plug, and it has three
round prongs that form a triangle. The central earth pin is 28.6 mm long and has a diameter of 8.7 mm. The 7.1
mm line and neutral pins are 18.6 mm long, on centres spaced 25.4 mm apart. The centre-to-centre distance
between the grounding pin and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins is 28.6 mm. The
South African version of the M plug often has insulated sleeves on the pins to prevent accidental contact with a
bare connector while the plug is partially inserted. Although type D is used in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, type M
is also used for larger appliances. Some sockets over there can take both type M and type D plugs. Type M is also
used in Israel and the United Arab Emirates for heavy appliances such as air-conditioning circuits (in cases where
wall-mounted units are plugged in to a dedicated socket) and certain types of washing machines. In the UK, type
M is still pretty much the standard plug for theatre installations, despite efforts to move to the
international blue- and red-coloured industrial CEE plugs.
 Type N

• used almost exclusively in Brazil (for a full list, click here)

• 3 pins
• grounded
• 10 A & 20 A
• 100 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug types C & N

TYPE N

Type N is used almost exclusively in Brazil. (Click here for a complete list of all countries with their respective
plugs/sockets)
The type N socket and plug are the official standard in Brazil. The plug consists of two pins and a grounding pin.
There are two variants: the prongs of the 10 A version have a diameter of 4 mm and a length of 19 mm. The
second version, rated at 20 amps, is used for heavier appliances and has 4.8 mm round pins, but also measuring
19 mm in length. The centres of the line and neutral pins are spaced 19 mm apart. The centre-to-centre distance
between the earth pin and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins is 3 mm. Type N
sockets were specifically designed to accommodate the ubiquitous type C plugs as well. Type N looks very much
like the Swiss type J standard, but it is incompatible with it since type N has the earth pin closer to the imaginary
line that connects the two power pins (3 mm instead of 5 mm).

Type N is actually based on the international standard 230 V household plug system, called IEC 60906-1. In 1986,
the International Electrotechnical Commission published this standard, which was intended to become the
common standard for the whole of Europe (and, by extension, all other regions with 230 V mains). Unfortunately,
the effort to adopt it as a European Union standard was put on hold in the mid-1990s. Brazil had been using as
many as 10 (!) different types of plugs and sockets, including the frequently used type C. In order to put an end to
this proliferation of different socket and plug types, the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (Associação
Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT)) decided to standardize on IEC 60906-1. In 2001, this standard was
adopted in Brazil as NBR 14136 and its implementation started in 2007. This Norma BRasileira 14136, however,
is not completely identical to IEC 60906-1: the Brazilian standard has a pin diameter of 4 mm for the 10 A plug
and 4.8 mm for the 20 A plug, whereas the original IEC 60906-1 standard only has one single pin diameter of 4.5
mm and a maximum current of 16 A.

Thanks to modern injection moulding technology, which did not exist when most other plug types were originally
designed, the very recent type N standard is more compact, robust and safe than any other plug/socket system
in the world.

Brazil’s standardization on one single plug and socket type, however, does entail some risks. Why? Simply
because Brazil is one of the very few countries that does not have a standard voltage, but at the same time it has
only one official type of socket! In other words, you cannot tell the difference between a 220 V and a 127 V
socket! (Click here for an exhaustive list of all 27 Brazilian federative units and their respective voltages.) Most
states use 127 V electricity, but a couple of them are on 220 V. This means that a 127 V hairdryer bought in the
state of Minas Gerais will be destroyed when plugged into a compatible 220 V socket in Distrito Federal! Make
sure you check out the local voltage before plugging something in! (Click here for a trick to know the local
voltage.) It must be said, though, that many appliances sold in Brazil are dual voltage, but that’s definitely not the
case for all of them.
 Type O

• used exclusively in Thailand

• 3 pins
• grounded
• 16 A
• 220 – 240 V
• socket compatible with plug types C & O (unsafe compatibility with E & F)

TYPE O

Type O is used exclusively in Thailand. (Click here for a complete list of all countries of the world with their
respective plugs/sockets)
Hybrid socket
The type O socket and plug, rated at 16 amps, are the official standard in Thailand. The plug system was
designed in 2006, but its use is not widespread as yet. It is currently gradually being phased in. The standard is
described in TIS 166-2549.

Type O consists of two power pins and an earth pin, which are round and have a 4.8 mm diameter. The power
pins measure 19 mm in length, they have 10 mm long insulated sleeves and their centres are spaced 19 mm
apart. The earth pin has a length of 21.4 mm. The centre-to-centre distance between the grounding pin and the
middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins is 11.9 mm, which is exactly the same distance as
in type B plugs. This is not a coincidence, since the hybrid version of this socket was originally designed to
accommodate plug types A, B, C and O. In the long run, compatibility with American plugs is planned to be
phased out, since the electrical network in Thailand operates at 230 V. Although they look similar, type O plugs
are not interchangeable with the Israeli type H or the Danish type K power plugs. However, there is a very unsafe
compatibility between type O sockets and type E/F plugs, which is why the Thai Government banned the sale of
appliances fitted with E/F plugs. When used in Thailand, an E/F plug will not be grounded and when such a plug is
partially pulled out, you will be able to touch the prongs while they are still live!

Can somebody please enlighten me as to why on earth a country would develop a whole new kind of plug and
socket system when there are several alternatives available? Standardising on the international type N (or, for
that matter, another safe and earthed plug system that is compatible with type C, such as F or E) is of course self-
evident. As the Thai Government is going to phase out compatibility with plug types A and B anyway, why haven’t
they adopted the type N standard, while at the same time allowing for a period of transition where hybrid B/N-
receptacles as well as type N sockets may be installed? This is absolutely mind-boggling!
World map showing the spread of plug types

The world map below visualises the spread of the different plug types in use around the world. Red countries
use type A & B plugs, the deep blue ones use types C & E/F (which are 100% compatible with each
other), browncountries use type D, sea-green countries use the British type G plug, pink coloured Israel uses
types C & H, yellow countries use the Australian type I system, black countries use C & J, grey countries use
types C & K, orange countries use types C & L, purple countries use the South African type M, pale
blue countries use the international type N and moss-green Thailand uses types C & O. Keep in mind that this is
a simplified overview showing only the most common plug type, but sometimes multiple systems are used
within one and the same country.
Plug, socket & voltage by country
Below is a complete overview of all countries of the world and their respective plugs/outlets and
voltages/frequencies used for domestic appliances. The table shows that in most countries the mains supply is
between 220 and 240 volts (50 or 60 Hz); countries that operate on 100-127 volts are greatly outnumbered. The
list also reveals that types A and C are the most frequently used electric plugs worldwide.

If you take a scroll down the page, you will notice that most countries have a well-defined plug and voltage
standard. Many Latin-American, African and Asian countries, however, use a motley collection of – often
incompatible – plugs and sometimes also the voltage differs from region to region. Obviously, this makes it very
hard for travellers to assess what kind of plug adapter or transformer they will need for their trip. Whenever the
electricity situation in a country requires additional information, the country name in question is highlighted in
red. That link will take you to an in-depth description.

Country / state / territory Single-phase Frequency Plug type

voltage (volts) (hertz)

Abu Dhabi (not a country, but 230 V 50 Hz G

capital of the United Arab Emirates)

Afghanistan 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Albania 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Algeria 230 V 50 Hz C/F

American Samoa 120 V 60 Hz A/B/F/I

Andorra 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Angola 220 V 50 Hz C

Anguilla 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Antigua and Barbuda 230 V 60 Hz A/B

Argentina 220 V 50 Hz I
Armenia 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Aruba 120 V 60 Hz A/B/F

Australia 230 V 50 Hz I

Austria 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Azerbaijan 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Azores 230 V 50 Hz B/C/F

Bahamas 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Bahrain 230 V 50 Hz G

Balearic Islands 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Bangladesh 220 V 50 Hz A/C/D/G/

K

Barbados 115 V 50 Hz A/B

Belarus 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Belgium 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Belize 110 V / 220 V 60 Hz A/B/G

Benin 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Bermuda 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Bhutan 230 V 50 Hz C/D/G

Bolivia 230 V 50 Hz A/C

Bonaire 127 V 50 Hz A/C

Bosnia & Herzegovina 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Botswana 230 V 50 Hz D/G

Brazil 127 V / 220 V 60 Hz C/N

British Virgin Islands 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Brunei 240 V 50 Hz G

Bulgaria 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Burkina Faso 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Burma (officially Myanmar) 230 V 50 Hz A/C/D/G/

I

Burundi 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Cambodia 230 V 50 Hz A/C/G

Cameroon 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Canada 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Canary Islands 230 V 50 Hz C/E/F

Cape Verde 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Cayman Islands 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Central African Republic 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Chad 220 V 50 Hz C/D/E/F

Channel Islands (Guernsey & 230 V 50 Hz C/G
Jersey)

Chile 220 V 50 Hz C/L

China, People’s Republic of 220 V 50 Hz A/C/I

Christmas Island 230 V 50 Hz I

Cocos (Keeling) Islands 230 V 50 Hz I

Colombia 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Comoros 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Congo, Democratic Republic of 220 V 50 Hz C/D/E

Congo, People’s Republic of 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Cook Islands 240 V 50 Hz I

Costa Rica 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Croatia 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Cuba 110 V / 220 V 60 Hz A/B/C/L

Curaçao 127 V 50 Hz A/B

Cyprus 230 V 50 Hz G

Cyprus, North (unrecognised, self- 230 V 50 Hz G

declared state)
Czechia (Czech Republic) 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Denmark 230 V 50 Hz C/E/F/K

Djibouti 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Dominica 230 V 50 Hz D/G

Dominican Republic 120 V 60 Hz A/B/C

Dubai (not a country, but the largest 230 V 50 Hz G

city in the United Arab Emirates)

East Timor (Timor-Leste) 220 V 50 Hz C/E/F/I

Ecuador 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Egypt 220 V 50 Hz C/F

El Salvador 120 V 60 Hz A/B

England 230 V 50 Hz G

Equatorial Guinea 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Eritrea 230 V 50 Hz C/L

Estonia 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Ethiopia 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Faeroe Islands 230 V 50 Hz C/E/F/K

Falkland Islands 240 V 50 Hz G

Fiji 240 V 50 Hz I
Finland 230 V 50 Hz C/F

France 230 V 50 Hz C/E

French Guiana 220 V 50 Hz C/D/E

Gabon (Gabonese Republic) 220 V 50 Hz C

Gambia 230 V 50 Hz G

Gaza Strip (Gaza) 230 V 50 Hz C/H

Georgia 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Germany 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Ghana 230 V 50 Hz D/G

Gibraltar 230 V 50 Hz G

Great Britain (GB) 230 V 50 Hz G

Greece 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Greenland 230 V 50 Hz C/E/F/K

Grenada 230 V 50 Hz G

Guadeloupe 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Guam 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Guatemala 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Guinea 220 V 50 Hz C/F/K

Guinea-Bissau 220 V 50 Hz C

Guyana 120 V / 240 V 60 Hz A/B/D/G

Haiti 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Holland (officially the Netherlands) 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Honduras 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Hong Kong 220 V 50 Hz G

Hungary 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Iceland 230 V 50 Hz C/F

India 230 V 50 Hz C/D/M

Indonesia 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Iran 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Iraq 230 V 50 Hz C/D/G

Ireland (Eire) 230 V 50 Hz G

Ireland, Northern 230 V 50 Hz G

Isle of Man 230 V 50 Hz C/G

Israel 230 V 50 Hz C/H

Italy 230 V 50 Hz C/F/L

Jamaica 110 V 50 Hz A/B

Japan 100 V 50 Hz / 60 A/B
Hz

Jordan 230 V 50 Hz C/D/F/G/

J

Kazakhstan 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Kenya 240 V 50 Hz G

Kiribati 240 V 50 Hz I

Korea, North 220 V 50 Hz C

Korea, South 220 V 60 Hz F

Kosovo 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Kuwait 240 V 50 Hz G

Kyrgyzstan 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Laos 230 V 50 Hz A/B/C/E/

F

Latvia 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Lebanon 230 V 50 Hz C/D/G

Lesotho 220 V 50 Hz M

Liberia 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Libya 230 V 50 Hz C/L

Liechtenstein 230 V 50 Hz C/J

Lithuania 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Luxembourg 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Macau 220 V 50 Hz G

Macedonia, Republic of (the former 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
FYROM)

Madagascar 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Madeira 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Malawi 230 V 50 Hz G

Malaysia 240 V 50 Hz G

Maldives 230 V 50 Hz C/D/G/J/

K/L

Mali 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Malta 230 V 50 Hz G

Marshall Islands 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Martinique 220 V 50 Hz C/D/E

Mauritania 220 V 50 Hz C

Mauritius 230 V 50 Hz C/G

Mayotte 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Mexico 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Micronesia, Federated States of 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Moldova 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Monaco 230 V 50 Hz C/E/F

Mongolia 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Montenegro 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Montserrat 230 V 60 Hz A/B

Morocco 220 V 50 Hz C/E

Mozambique 220 V 50 Hz C/F/M

Myanmar (formerly Burma) 230 V 50 Hz A/C/D/G/

I

Namibia 220 V 50 Hz D/M

Nauru 240 V 50 Hz I

Nepal 230 V 50 Hz C/D/M

Netherlands 230 V 50 Hz C/F

New Caledonia 220 V 50 Hz C/F

New Zealand 230 V 50 Hz I

Nicaragua 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Niger 220 V 50 Hz C/D/E/F

Nigeria 230 V 50 Hz D/G

Niue 230 V 50 Hz I

Norfolk Island 230 V 50 Hz I

North Cyprus (unrecognised, self- 230 V 50 Hz G

declared state)

Northern Ireland 230 V 50 Hz G

North Korea 220 V 50 Hz C

Norway 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Oman 240 V 50 Hz G

Pakistan 230 V 50 Hz C/D

Palau 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Palestine 230 V 50 Hz C/H

Panama 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Papua New Guinea 240 V 50 Hz I

Paraguay 220 V 50 Hz C

Peru 220 V 60 Hz A/C

Philippines 220 V 60 Hz A/B/C

Pitcairn Islands 230 V 50 Hz I

Poland 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Portugal 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Puerto Rico 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Qatar 240 V 50 Hz G

Réunion 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Romania 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Russia (officially the Russian 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Federation)

Rwanda 230 V 50 Hz C/J

Saba 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Saint Barthélemy (informally also 230 V 60 Hz C/E

referred to as Saint Barth’s or Saint
Barts)

Saint Kitts and Nevis (officially the 230 V 60 Hz D/G

Federation of Saint Christopher and
Nevis)

Saint Lucia 230 V 50 Hz G

Saint Martin 220 V 60 Hz C/E

Saint Helena 230 V 50 Hz G

Sint Eustatius 110 V / 220 V 60 Hz A/B/C/F

Sint Maarten 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 110 V / 230 V 50 Hz A/B/G

Samoa 230 V 50 Hz I
San Marino 230 V 50 Hz C/F/L

São Tomé and Príncipe 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Saudi Arabia 230 V 60 Hz G

Scotland 230 V 50 Hz G

Senegal 230 V 50 Hz C/D/E/K

Serbia 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Seychelles 240 V 50 Hz G

Sierra Leone 230 V 50 Hz D/G

Singapore 230 V 50 Hz G

Slovakia 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Slovenia 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Solomon Islands 230 V 50 Hz G/I

Somalia 220 V 50 Hz C

Somaliland 220 V 50 Hz C

South Africa 230 V 50 Hz C/M/N

(still rare)

South Korea 220 V 60 Hz F

South Sudan 230 V 50 Hz C/D

Spain 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Sri Lanka 230 V 50 Hz D/G

Sudan 230 V 50 Hz C/D

Suriname 127 V / 230 V 60 Hz A/B/C/F

Swaziland 230 V 50 Hz M

Sweden 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Switzerland 230 V 50 Hz C/J

Syria 220 V 50 Hz C/E/L

Tahiti 220 V 50 Hz / 60 C/E

Hz

Taiwan 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Tajikistan 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Tanzania 230 V 50 Hz D/G

Thailand 230 V 50 Hz A/B/C/O

Togo 220 V 50 Hz C

Tokelau 230 V 50 Hz I

Tonga 240 V 50 Hz I

Trinidad & Tobago 115 V 60 Hz A/B

Tunisia 230 V 50 Hz C/E

Turkey 230 V 50 Hz C/F

Turkmenistan 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Turks and Caicos Islands 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Tuvalu 230 V 50 Hz I

Uganda 240 V 50 Hz G

Ukraine 230 V 50 Hz C/F

United Arab Emirates (UAE) 230 V 50 Hz G

United Kingdom (UK) 230 V 50 Hz G

United States of America (USA) 120 V 60 Hz A/B

United States Virgin Islands 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Uruguay 220 V 50 Hz C/F/L

Uzbekistan 220 V 50 Hz C/F

Vanuatu 230 V 50 Hz I

Vatican City 230 V 50 Hz C/F/L

Venezuela 120 V 60 Hz A/B

Vietnam 220 V 50 Hz A/B/C

Virgin Islands (British) 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Virgin Islands (USA) 110 V 60 Hz A/B

Wales 230 V 50 Hz G
 Yemen 230 V 50 Hz A/D/G

Zambia 230 V 50 Hz C/D/G

Zimbabwe 240 V 50 Hz D/G

SOURCE: https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/