Plug, Socket & Voltage By Country (Part 1)

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 an electrical current of 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.

Electrical: Power Plug & Outlet Type O

Type O is used exclusively in Thailand. 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.

Electrical: Power Plug & Outlet Type N

Type N is used almost exclusively in Brazil. 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).

Electrical: Power Plug & Outlet Type M

Type M is used almost exclusively in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. This plug resembles the Indian type D plug, 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 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.

Reference: WorldStandards

Electrical: Power Plug & Outlet Type L

Type L is used almost exclusively in Italy, Chile and is also randomly found throughout North Africa. 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.