Types of power plugs. Why do different countries have different sockets? Development of different types of sockets and plugs

One of the most unexpected situations is when you come on vacation and want to charge your mobile or camera, but the plug does not fit into the outlet.

This problem can be solved quite quickly; adapters are sometimes sold directly in hotels or in souvenir shops. But it’s better to prepare for such a turn of events in advance.

Today we will talk about sockets that are found in different countries peace.

Types of sockets that do not require an adapter

First, let's look at the standard we are used to, which is accepted in Russia and Europe - this is type C And F. These types of sockets are also common in all CIS countries, Asia and South America. Support voltage 220 – 240 V.

Type G

Those who have traveled around the UK already know that the sockets there are very different from those we are used to. This is type G.

It is also found in Ireland, Malta, Malaysia and Singapore.

Type I

You will definitely need an adapter if you decide to travel to Australia, New Zealand, China and Argentina.

In these countries, Type I sockets are used. They can have either two or three (grounding) plugs.

In Australia, sockets are often equipped with a switch.

Type M

South Africa also has its own unique sockets; type M is used there.

Even though the holes in this type of sockets are round, it still won’t be possible to insert the usual plug into it. The distance between the holes is different.

In addition, because This type of socket is found in only a few African countries; universal adapters are often not suitable for it.

It is not necessary to have many adapters for different sockets. At airports you can find shops that sell various small items for travel, including a universal adapter.

In some countries, universal sockets are common and can accept European and North American plugs. Such sockets can often be found in Thailand:

Adapter for English socket– the most necessary thing in England! Money, reservations, documents - it's all clear. This is necessary on any trip. As for the UK, you will definitely need English socket adapter. Their sockets are absolutely incompatible with ours and with the so-called “euro” ones too.

Of course buy this adapter in England. But, firstly, it still needs to be found there, and secondly, it costs a lot of money there. For example, at Manchester airport I saw adapter for 14 pounds. In Russia, in any radio store you can find a whole set adapters, neatly packed in a beautiful, convenient box at a price of 150 rubles. If suddenly you don’t have them in your store - adapter for English socket easy to find in Chinese online stores.

Without this adapter, you won't be able to charge your phone, camera, or shave.

Voltage in electrical network Great Britain compatible with our electrical appliances and complies with 230 Volts at 50 Hertz.

Adapter for English socket in a convenient box

This is what the adapter itself looks like

The whole set

This is how it works

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DA Info Pro - March 6. Connecting any household appliance to the electrical network, we do not think about what types of electrical outlets there may be. However, you can get into some confusion when repairing electrical wiring in a house abroad or in an apartment in which foreigners lived before you. In addition, you may encounter some problems when traveling to another country when trying to insert an electrical plug into the network.

Electrical plugs vary from country to country. Therefore, the US Department of Commerce (ITA) adopted a standard in 1998 according to which different types of electrical outlets and plugs were assigned their own designation. We will write in detail about each type of electrical outlets.

Classification principle and main types

Total exists 15 types electrical outlets. The differences are in shape, size, maximum current, and the presence of a ground connection. All types of sockets are legally established in countries within the framework of standards and norms. Although the sockets in the image above may be similar in shape, they differ in the size of the sockets and prongs (plugs).

All types according to the American classification are designated as Type X.

In most countries, standards are determined by their history. For example, India, being a British colony until 1947, adopted its standard. The old standard can still be found in some hotels in the UK. Type D.

The image shows the types of electrical outlets in various countries peace

Although when single-phase connection current polarity is not important, type A and B sockets are polarized. This manifests itself in the fact that the plugs have different thicknesses - the position of the plug is important. In addition, in the USA, where they are actively distributed, they are used alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz and a voltage of 127 V.

Development of different types of sockets and plugs

The widespread use of electricity in everyday life required the introduction of standards in the field of connecting electrical appliances. This would make electricity safer, devices more reliable and more versatile.

And many manufacturers of electrical equipment and devices in practice provide replacement cords for their devices. different kinds and countries.

Electrical sockets and plugs have evolved, including due to stricter safety requirements. So from Type D Type G appeared - the maximum current increased, additional protective insulating coatings appeared at the base of the plugs.

Some connector types are already obsolete. So they left everyday use American Type I, Soviet Type I, old Spanish sockets, plugs with cut plugs. In fact, many countries standardize sizes among themselves. And standardization committees are trying to make interstate standards official. The main such organization is the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

It turns out interesting when connecting electric stoves - the maximum power can reach 10 kW. Various countries have introduced rules and regulations to use a separate type of electrical sockets for such powerful devices. And in some places they are generally required to connect without an outlet in a fixed way.

To connect plugs of one type to a socket of another, adapters are usually sold. They seem to be the same type electrical outlet to another, and universal - from any to specific.

There are 12 types in the world electrical plugs and sockets.
Letter classification - from A to X.
Before traveling abroad, especially to less frequently visited countries, I check the information below.

Type A: North America, Japan

Countries: Canada, USA, Mexico, part of South America, Japan

Two flat parallel contacts without grounding.
In addition to the USA, this standard has been adopted in 38 other countries. Most common in North America and on the east coast South America. In 1962, the use of Type A sockets was prohibited by law. A Type B standard was developed to replace it. However, many older homes still have similar sockets because they are compatible with the new Type B plugs.
The Japanese standard is identical to American sockets, but has stricter requirements for the size of plug and socket housings.

Type B: Same as Type A, except Japan

Countries: Canada, USA, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean Islands, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, part of Brazil, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia

Two flat parallel contacts and one round for grounding.
Additional contact longer, so when connected, the device is grounded before it is connected to the network.
In the socket, the neutral contact is on the left side, the phase is on the right, and the ground is at the bottom. On this type of plug, the neutral pin is made wider to prevent reverse polarity when connected in a non-standard manner.

Type C: Europe

Countries: all of Europe, Russia and the CIS, the Middle East, part of South America, Indonesia, South Korea

Two round contacts.
This is the European socket we are used to. There is no ground connection and the plug can fit into any socket that accepts 4mm diameter pins with 19mm spacing between them.
Type C is used throughout continental Europe, the Middle East, many African countries, as well as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Indonesia. Well, and of course, in all the republics of the former Soviet Union.
German and French plugs (type E) are very similar to this standard, but their contact diameter is increased to 4.8 mm, and the body is made in such a way as to prevent connection to European sockets. The same forks are used in South Korea for all devices that do not require grounding and are found in Italy.
In the UK and Ireland, showers and bathrooms are sometimes fitted with special sockets compatible with type C plugs. They are designed to connect electric shavers. Therefore, the voltage in them is often reduced to 115 V.

Type D: India, Africa, Middle East

Three large round contacts arranged in a triangle.
This old English standard is supported mainly in India. It is also found in Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria), the Middle East (Kuwait, Qatar) and in those parts of Asia and the Far East where the British were involved in electrification.
Compatible sockets are used in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Namibia. In Israel, Singapore and Malaysia, this type of socket is used to connect air conditioners and electric clothes dryers.

Type E: France

Two round prongs and a ground prong protruding from the top of the socket.
This type of connection is used in France, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Denmark.
The diameter of the contacts is 4.8 mm, they are located at a distance of 19 mm from each other. The right contact is neutral, the left is phase.
Just like the German standard described below, sockets of this type allow the connection of type C plugs and some others. Sometimes the connection requires using force in such a way that you can damage the outlet.

Type F: Germany

Two round pins and two grounding clips at the top and bottom of the socket.
Often this type is called Schuko/Schuko, from the German schutzkontakt, which means “protected or grounded” contact. Sockets and plugs of this standard are symmetrical; the position of the contacts when connecting does not matter.
Despite the fact that the standard requires the use of contacts with a diameter of 4.8 mm, domestic plugs easily fit German sockets.
Many countries of Eastern Europe are gradually moving from the old Soviet standard to type F.
Often there are hybrid plugs that combine side clips of type F and a grounding contact of type E. Such plugs connect equally well to both “French” sockets and German Schuko.

Type G: Great Britain and former colonies

Countries: Great Britain, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Cyprus, Malta

Three large flat contacts arranged in a triangle.
The massiveness of this type of fork is surprising. The reason lies not only in large contacts, but also that there is a fuse inside the plug. This is necessary because British standards allow higher current levels in household appliances. electrical circuit. Pay attention to this! The adapter for the Euro plug must also be equipped with a fuse.
In addition to Great Britain, plugs and sockets of this type are also common in a number of former British colonies.

Type H: Israel

Three contacts arranged in a Y shape.
This type of connection is unique, found only in Israel and is incompatible with all other sockets and plugs.
Until 1989, the contacts were flat, then they decided to replace them with round ones, 4 mm in diameter, located in the same way. All modern sockets support the connection of plugs with both old flat and new round contacts.

Type I: Australia

Countries: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji

Two flat contacts located “house”, and the third is a ground contact.
Almost all sockets in Australia have a switch for added safety.
Similar connections are found in China, only in comparison with the Australian ones they are turned upside down.
Argentina and Uruguay use sockets that are Type I compatible in shape, but with reversed polarity.

Type J: Switzerland

Three round contacts.
Exclusive Swiss standard. Very similar to type C, only there is a third, grounding contact, which is located slightly to the side.
European plugs fit without adapters.
A similar connection is found in parts of Brazil.

Type K: Denmark and Greenland

Three round contacts.
The Danish standard is very similar to the French Type E, except that the protruding ground pin is in the plug rather than the socket.
From July 1, 2008, type E sockets will be installed in Denmark, but for now the most common European standard C plugs can be connected to existing sockets without any problems.

Type L: Italy and Chile

Three round contacts in a row.
European standard C plugs (ours) fit Italian sockets without any problems.
If you really want, you can plug E/F type plugs (France-Germany), which we have in chargers for MacBooks, into Italian sockets. In 50% of cases, Italian sockets break during the process of pulling out such a plug: the plug is removed from the wall along with the Italian socket strung on it.

Type X: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia

A hybrid of type A and C sockets. Both American and European plugs are suitable for sockets of this type.