Euro power plug. Types of electrical sockets and plugs in different countries
This article lists all types of electrical plugs and sockets accepted for use in countries around the world.
This is the so-called American type and plugs. The plug has two flat contacts parallel to each other. Used in most countries of North and Central America, particularly in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and Guatemala, and also in Japan. And also in countries where the network voltage is 110 Volts.
Type B
Similar to type A connector, but with an additional round pin. Used in everyday life in the same regions of the world as Type A plugs and sockets. 
Type C
This is our native European type of socket and plug. The plug has two round contacts parallel to each other. There is no third grounding contact in its design. This is the most popular type and sockets in European countries, except the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Used in everyday life where the mains voltage is 220 Volts. 
Type D
This is the old British type with three round pins mounted in a triangle shape. In this case, one of the contacts is thicker than the other two. This type of sockets and plugs is used to maximize current in electrical networks in countries such as India, Nepal, Namibia and the island of Sri Lanka. 
Type E
This type has an electrical plug with two round pins and a hole for a grounding contact, which is located in the socket of the socket. This type of socket plugs is currently used in Poland, France and Belgium. 
Type F
Models of this type are similar to models of Type E sockets and plugs. Only instead of a round ground pin, two metal clips are used here on both sides of the connector. This type of sockets and plugs is usually used in Germany, Austria, Holland, Norway and Sweden. 
Type G
This is a typical British socket and its friend the three-blade plug. Used in apartments and private houses in the UK, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Note - sockets of this type of design are often available with a built-in internal fuse. Therefore, if after connecting the device it does not work, then the first thing you need to do is check the condition of the fuse in the socket, perhaps this is the problem. 
Type H
This design of socket and plug connectors is used only in the State of Israel and the Gaza Strip. The socket and plug have three flat pins, or in the earlier version, round pins arranged in a B shape. Not compatible with any other plug. It is intended for networks with a voltage of 220 V and a current of up to 16 A. 
Type I
This is the so-called Australian outlet. It, like an electrical plug, has two flat contacts, as in an American type A connector, but they are located at an angle to each other - in the shape of the letter B. There are such sockets and plugs with a grounding contact. These models are used in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina. 
Type J
Swiss type electrical plugs and sockets. The plug is very similar to its Type C cousin, but has an additional ground pin in the middle and two round power pins. They are used not only in Switzerland, but also abroad - in Liechtenstein, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Maldives. 
Type K
Danish electrical sockets and plugs. The type is similar to the popular European Type C socket, but additionally has a ground pin located at the bottom of the connector. It is the basic standard in the countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as in Bangladesh, Senegal and the Maldives. 
Type L
Italian plug and socket. The model is similar to the popular European Type C, but has an additional round ground pin located in the center, the two round power pins are unusually arranged in a line. Such sockets and plugs are used in Italy, as well as Chile, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Cuba. 
Type M
This is an African socket and plug with three round pins arranged in a triangle shape, with the ground pin being clearly thicker than the other two. It is similar to the D-type connector, but has much thicker pins. The socket is designed to power electrical devices with a current of up to 15 A. Widely used in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. 
Types of sockets in hotels in tourist countries (UAE, Cyprus, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, others)
While abroad, tourists sometimes face the problem of a mismatch between the plug and the local electrical outlet. Most often this happens when recharging gadgets or when trying to use a hairdryer or electric razor.
In most hotels in the world there are no problems with renting the required adapter for a nominal sum. Often the necessary adapter can be purchased at your local store. But if you travel frequently, prefer to stay outside of hotels, or don't want to rely on chance, you will find the following information useful.
To connect household appliances to the electrical network, two types of electrical voltage and two mains frequencies are used in the world:
- European current of 220-240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz
- American-Japanese at 100-127 V with a frequency of 60 Hz.
At the same time, there are no longer 2 or 3 different types of electrical plugs for household appliances and socket standards, but as many as 15. They differ not only in shape, but in the size of the plugs, the absence or presence of grounding.
The diagram shows all 15 types of outlets, they are arranged in the numbering order adopted by the ITA - US Department of Commerce, in 1998. (Some models are similar in design, but they have differences in the size of the sockets and plugs).
There is no need to be intimidated by so many different types of outlets. If you wish, you can buy an adapter in advance and travel with it. There are several types of adapters that will allow you to connect your device to a different type of outlet, and there are universal adapters.
Knowing what type of sockets are used in a particular country will help you choose the right adapter, or understand that you don't need one for this trip.
Cyprus
In all hotels in Cyprus, electrical plugs for household appliances and associated sockets are type G. This is the well-known British system with three rectangular pins - one vertical and two horizontal. You can see how they look in the photo. If you don’t want to spend money on an adapter, you can rent one at the hotel reception, leaving a small deposit. The money will be returned upon departure. Some Russian narrow plugs fit into such sockets, so it's worth a try first (without using physical force).
Outlets in Thailand
Thai sockets have either two holes, two pins, or two pins with a hole. Accordingly, these are type C (European socket), A and B (American sockets with and without grounding). Russian and Ukrainian electrical appliances can be plugged into type C sockets without any problems. There are also universal hole options (pictured). Flat-prong plug sockets usually include refrigerators, making them less loose in hotels. If you need to recharge your phone or laptop, then it is better to find an adapter and use such “refrigerator sockets” of type A, and when you need to turn on several devices at once, it is useful to have an extension cord with several sockets; they are inexpensive in Thailand. You can see the exact sockets in Thailand in the photo (universal version). However, if you have expensive equipment, it is better to have an adapter with grounding.
Features of sockets in Vietnam
The type of sockets in Vietnam depends on the region. In South Vietnam - type A (pictured), in Northern Vietnam type C (European). In expensive hotels you may find British G sockets. But everywhere – the usual mains current is 220 V, 50 Hz. There are adapters in hotels, but with a large influx of visitors, there may not be enough for everyone.
India
The generally accepted types of sockets in India are C, D and M. The current in the network is European. Russian plugs are quite suitable for Indian sockets. There are no problems with Euro plugs, but the thin pins of some may not fit tightly and will have to be fixed somehow; in this case, it is better to use adapters. In general, tourists do not have problems with sockets in hotels of any star rating. The photo shows a common example of the type of sockets in hotels in India.
Italy
Basically, sockets in Italian hotels are type F. There is a grounding bracket inside, which does not interfere with the insertion of most of our domestic plugs. European type C and three-point type L sockets are also common. If the plugs have thick legs or have grounding, like a computer, then you cannot do without an adapter. In the photo on the left is a type L socket, on the right is a type F socket in Italy. If necessary, adapters can be bought in any store for 1-2 euros and at the hotel reception they will be given free of charge.
Sockets in the Dominican Republic and Cuba in hotels. Features of the mains voltage
Sockets in the Dominican Republic in hotels are of types A and B - American, with or without grounding. Hotels have adapters at reception desks. But the country’s power supply standards are different: mains voltage 110 V, frequency 60 Hz. If you plug in a kettle, razor or iron at 220 V, they will work at a quarter of the power, and charging will take longer. Transformer adapters are sold, they cost about $16, although they do not have much power. Sockets in the Dominican Republic in more modern hotels are suitable for not only American-style plugs, but also European ones, both with or without grounding. The situation with power supply voltage and types of sockets is exactly the same in Cuba. Modern hotels in Cuba even have European sockets with a voltage of 220 V.
Sockets in Israel
Israel is “famous” for its unusual sockets, which are used only in this country; the voltage standard is European. Type H sockets are designed to accept a three-prong plug. Old buildings still have the old European Type C sockets. Modern hotels are equipped with sockets where the three-prong input allows you to connect a regular European plug. Chargers and other household appliances turn on without problems, even the old Soviet model.
Sockets in the UAE
Many who have visited this country will answer the question of what sockets are in the UAE and whether an adapter is required in different ways. The fact is that there are three standards side by side - the widespread type G of the British socket with three flat pins, where an adapter is needed, type C of the ordinary European one, which does not require an adapter, and type D, which came here from Old England. In Britain they no longer use it, but in India it is found. Many narrow European plugs fit into this type, and with old Soviet-style plugs you can connect through an adapter. The problem can be easily resolved on the spot - adapters are available in hotels. The voltage and frequency in the UAE network are the same as ours.
France
Sockets in France are the usual European type C and type E (pictured), the voltage and frequency are standard. Sometimes you need an adapter, as for previous Tefal kettles, but most often a tee and an extension cord are useful, since there will be only one outlet in the hotel room.
Spain
Sockets in Spain in hotels of types C and F, which meet the European standard. In the photo - type F. No adapter needed.
Greece
In Greece, sockets are European standard (type C). In Crete you may need an adapter - there are sockets with three inputs (D in the photo), so you won’t be able to use them just like that.
Maldives
G, J, K – types of sockets in the Maldives. Power supply 230 V, 50 Hz. An adapter is required, but it is better to decide on its type on site. Expensive hotels already have the necessary adapters.
G 
J 
K
Indonesia
The most common types of electrical sockets are C and F; they do not require adapters. Less often - British G, then you need an adapter. The current in the network is 220 V 50 Hz, in Bali it is 127 V, there may also be American type B sockets with grounding.
Mexico
Voltage 127 V, frequency 60 Hz. The socket types are North American A and B. Therefore, an adapter is required. Not all hotels in Mexico offer it for free, so you will have to spend a little. It can also be useful on the road - at the airport, on the ferry, in a cafe, so it’s better to buy your own.
Singapore
Types of electrical sockets A, C and G are used to connect video equipment, M – for air conditioners and stationary hair dryers; Hotels have different adapters. The current is European.
Sri Lanka
In four- to five-star hotels in Sri Lanka, the type of sockets is most often British G, although types D and M are also found. The current is 230 V, 50 Hz.
tell friends
Try to imagine homo modernus without mobile phones, cameras, laptops, navigation systems and other gadgets? The answer is simple: it is impossible. Well, all these benefits of civilization cannot exist without “food”; they need recharging.
Therefore, beaches, parks, museums fade into the background, and the first thing a traveler should think about is what kind of sockets and what kind of voltage there will be in the country where he is going.
In most cases, the issue is resolved with the help of an adapter. But it can become useless if the voltage in the network is very different from the native, domestic one. For example, in Europe the voltage varies from 220 to 240 V; in the USA and Japan - from 100 to 127 V. If you don’t guess, you’ll burn your device.
Let's try to understand the intricacies of electrical engineering.
Voltage and frequency
By and large, only two levels of electrical voltage are used in the household network in the world:
European - 220 - 240 V and American - 100 - 127 V, and two AC frequencies - 50 and 60 Hz.
Voltage 220 - 240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz is used by most countries of the world.
Voltage 100 -127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz - in the USA, countries of North, Central and, partially, South America, Japan, etc.
However, there are variations, for example, in the Philippines, 220 V and 60 Hz, and in Madagascar, on the contrary, 100 V and 50 Hz, even within the same country, depending on the region, there may be different standards, for example, in different parts of Brazil , Japan, Saudi Arabia, the Maldives.
Therefore, before you set off, collect as much information as possible about circuits and signals, the types of sockets used in the country and the voltage in the network.
Electrical sockets
There are a lot of sockets, plugs and options for connecting to the electrical network. But don’t be alarmed, there is no need to deal with everyone and look for an adapter for each one.
You need to remember (save, sketch, photograph) the 13 most used types of sockets, which are designated in Latin letters from A to M:
Type A - American electrical socket and plug: two flat parallel contacts. Used in most countries of North and Central America (USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala), in Japan, and almost everywhere where the mains voltage is 110 V.
Type B is a variation of Type A connector, with an additional round ground pin. Typically used in the same countries as the Type A connector.
Type C - European socket and plug. It has two round parallel contacts (without grounding). This is the most popular socket in Europe, excluding England, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Used where the voltage is 220V.
Type D is the old British standard with three round contacts arranged in a triangle shape, with one of the contacts thicker than the other two, rated for maximum current. Used in India, Nepal, Namibia, Sri Lanka.
Type E is a plug with two round pins and a hole for the ground pin, which is located in the socket of the socket. This type is now almost universally used in Poland, France and Belgium.
Type F - The standard is similar to Type E, but instead of a round ground pin there are two metal clamps on both sides of the connector. You will find such sockets in Germany, Austria, Holland, Norway, and Sweden.
Type G - British socket with three flat contacts. Used in England, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Note. This type of outlet often comes with a built-in internal fuse. Therefore, if after connecting the device it does not work, then the first thing to do is check the condition of the fuse in the outlet.
Type H - has three flat contacts or, in an earlier version, round contacts arranged in a V shape. Used only in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Not compatible with any other plug, designed for voltage values of 220 V and current up to 16 A.
Type I - Australian socket: two flat contacts, as in the American type A connector, but they are located at an angle to each other - in the shape of the letter V. Also available in a version with a ground contact. Used in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina.
Type J - Swiss plug and socket. It is similar to the Type C plug, but has an additional grounding pin in the middle and two round power pins. Used in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Maldives.
Type K is a Danish socket and plug, similar to the European Type C, but with a ground pin located at the bottom of the connector. Used in Denmark, Greenland, Bangladesh, Senegal and the Maldives.
Type L - Italian plug and socket, similar to the European Type C socket, but with a round ground pin that is in the center, the two round power pins are arranged unusually in a line. Used in Italy, Chile, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Cuba.
Type M is an African socket and plug with three round pins arranged in a triangle shape, with the ground pin being clearly thicker than the other two. It is similar to the D-type connector, but has much thicker pins. The socket is designed to power devices with a current of up to 15 A. Used in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.
A few words about various types of adapters.
The easiest way to be ready to put the plug into the socket is to purchase an adapter, converter or transformer in advance (it depends on what your needs are). In most hotels, if you contact them, they will pick up the device you need at the reception.
Adapters - combine your plug with someone else's socket without affecting the voltage, the most versatile device.
Converters - provide conversion of local power grid parameters, but for a short time, up to 2 hours. Suitable for small (camping) household appliances: hair dryer, razor, kettle, iron. Convenient on the road due to its small size and weight.
Transformers are more powerful, larger and more expensive voltage converters designed for continuous operation. Used for complex electrical appliances: computers, TVs, etc.
And at the end, an easy life hack on how to use an English socket without an adapter
Happy travels!
Sources: wikimedia.org, travel.ru, enovator.ru, personal experience.
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.
UK grid voltage 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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If there are several mains voltage standards in the world, then accordingly there is also a wide variety of socket and plug standards for them.
As we already know from the previous article, two main standards for voltage and frequency have become widespread around the globe. One of the standards, the so-called American with a voltage of 110 - 127 V and a frequency of 60 Hz, is distributed together with the standards for plugs and sockets of type A and B. The second standard, the so-called European with a voltage of 220 - 240 V and a frequency of 50 Hz, is widespread with sockets and plugs C – M.
Some countries strictly adhere to one standard, but there are a number of countries where plugs and sockets of different standards are used.
There are only 14 standardized types of plugs and sockets on Earth. There are also various specialized designs used in specific industries. This was done specifically so that it would not be possible to connect specialized devices to a household network whose parameters they are not designed for.
Type A
Type A sockets and plugs have become widespread in North and Central America, as well as in Japan. But the American and Japanese standard are slightly different. In the Japanese version, two parallel flat pins of the plug are exactly the same size, but in the American version, one pin is slightly wider than the second. This was done so that the polarity was clearly observed when turned on. The first networks on the American continent were direct current. This type is also called Class II. Japanese plugs fit into Canadian and American sockets without problems, but you won’t be able to use an American plug with a Japanese socket. Well, maybe file down the wide pin a little.
Type B
This type, like the previous one, is used in Canada and the USA, as well as in Japan. It is these sockets and plugs that are used to connect powerful household appliances with a current consumption of up to 15 A. This type, in addition to the designation B, in some catalogs is also designated Class I or according to the international code NEMA 5-15. We can say that in Canada and the USA, type B has replaced type A. In old houses, of course, the old type A is still common, without a “grounding” contact in the middle, and in new buildings you are unlikely to see anything other than type B. The industry has long produced electrical appliances only with a modern type B plug, so it is not uncommon to see a modern electrical appliance in an old house, but with the third terminal cut off so that it can be connected to an old electrical outlet.
Type C
Type C, or according to the international designation type CEE 7/16, plugs and sockets have become widespread throughout almost all of Europe, with minor exceptions, which we will consider further. Such electrical sockets and plugs were standard, including throughout the USSR. Many of our compatriots still call them “Soviet”. Type C has been replaced in European countries by new designs of sockets and plugs that meet modern requirements for grounding electrical appliances. These are types such as E, F, J, K and L. When moving to the new standard, the possibility of using type C plugs was taken into account for inclusion in new versions of sockets, but, to the great regret of the majority of residents of old houses, not vice versa.
Type D
D-type plugs are still common in the former British colonies of India, Nepal, Namibia and Sri Lanka, although they are actually an outdated British-made design used in Great Britain until the middle of the last century. This type is also designated BS 546.
Type E
In France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Tunisia and Morocco, plugs and sockets of type E or CEE 7/7 according to the international standard have become widespread. Connecting an outdated type C plug to such an outlet, as already mentioned, is not difficult.
Type F
F-type plugs and plugs (CEE 7/4 or GOST 7396 in the USSR) have become widespread mainly in Austria, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Finland and Eastern European countries. Recently, this type has become increasingly widespread in all countries of the former USSR. You can freely plug in a “Soviet” C-type plug into an F-type socket. But since the diameter of the pins of a type C plug is 0.8 mm smaller than that of a type F, this compatibility must be used with extreme caution. Since the contact may not be sufficient, and as a result, heating at the point of contact and ignition is possible.
Type G
This type is used in the UK, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Cyprus and Malta. The international designation for type G plugs and sockets is BS 1363. By the appearance of plugs of this type, it is immediately clear that these are power connectors, because they are capable of passing current up to 32 A. If, when traveling to Cyprus, you come across exactly this type of plug in a hotel, then You will be offered an adapter so you can connect your phone charger or laptop.
Type H
You will find plugs and sockets of type H (SI 32) only in Israel. But the developers of this standard took care of tourists in advance and provided for the possibility of including “Soviet” plugs, type C, in this type of sockets.
Type I
In Australia, Argentina, China, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, I-type plugs and sockets are common, which are also designated according to the international standard AS 3112. Visually quite similar, types I and H are in fact completely incompatible.
Type J
Switzerland and Liechtenstein have their own special standard - this is type J or SEC 1011 according to the international standard. If you find yourself in one of these countries, you can freely plug your Type C mobile phone into local sockets.
Type K
In Denmark and Greenland, type K plugs and sockets (international designation 107-2-D1) have become widespread. In this socket you can plug in type E and F plugs, as well as type C without much difficulty.
Type L
Type L is found exclusively in Italy. But it should be noted that the likelihood of meeting them in some North African countries is also very high. Type C plugs are compatible with type L or CEI 23-16/BII sockets, as designated by international standards.
Type M
The penultimate type in our review is M. These plugs with sockets are widespread in Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa. The similarity between type M and type D is clearly visible. Type D plugs can be freely plugged into an M-type socket.
Type N
And finally, the last of the types under consideration is N. Used in Brazil and South Africa. Type N plugs actually come in two versions with 4mm pins rated up to 10A and 4.8mm pins rated up to 20A. The middle pin is designed for grounding electrical appliances. Type N sockets completely freely accept type C plugs. But with type J, despite the visual similarity, they are completely incompatible, since the middle contact is located closer to the central axis.
It so happened historically that different countries mainly use their own specific sockets and plugs that meet their own standards, although some types are still compatible with each other.
Will unification be achieved throughout the world and one common standard be adopted? Most likely, yes, but not as soon as many would like. Initially, it is necessary to come to one voltage standard, and this means enormous costs for the refurbishment and re-equipment of transformer substations, not to mention the adaptation of household electrical appliances.
In the 60s of the last century, in the territory of the Soviet Union they switched from the 127 V standard to 220 V. All new household appliances were specially equipped with switches that made it possible to select the operating voltage of the electrical appliance, which essentially turned off part of the primary winding of the power supply transformer when the switch was moved to position 127 Q. And how many electric shavers were burned when, for example, a person came on a business trip to another city, where the sockets already had 220 V, and forgot to switch the razor switch from 127 V to 220 V. But that, as they say, is a completely different story...
