When it comes to electricity, globalization can be forgotten. Even in the European Union, where one currency circulates, there are different electrical outlets. Therefore, going abroad, you have to replenish your luggage with an adapter or look for it upon arrival. The reason for this is the historical factor.
In the era of electrification, inventors from different countries offered their own options for optimal sockets; different types of electric generators were built around the world. And the national companies involved in the installation of electrical networks supplied their devices suitable for these networks. Accordingly, different types of plug connectors and sockets were introduced and their own networks were designed. The developments of other countries were completely ignored.
Influenced the development of sockets and the availability of materials. For example, during the Second World War in Great Britain they came up with a three-prong plug with a short copper fuse. This design made it possible to save copper reserves for military needs.
Now, according to one classification, 12 types of sockets are distinguished, according to another - 15. Moreover, sockets of one type sometimes accept plugs of another. However, having learned that in the country where you are going, the same type of outlet as at home - do not rush to rejoice! This solution is only half the problem. In different parts of the world, the voltage and frequency of the current may vary.
Fortunately, all these differences will not spoil your vacation or business trip - you just need to purchase a suitable adapter in advance. 
Full Review all countries in the world and their respective plugs/sockets and voltages/frequencies used for household appliances. The table shows that in most countries the electricity supply is between 220 and 240 volts (50 or 60 Hz), far exceeding countries operating on 100-127 volts. The list also shows that types A and C are the most commonly used electrical plugs worldwide.
Most countries have a well-defined plug and voltage standard. However, many Latin American, African and Asian countries use a motley collection of often incompatible plugs, and sometimes the voltage differs from region to region. This situation makes it difficult for travelers to assess which adapter or transformer plug is needed for a trip. In this case, when the electricity situation in the country requires additional information, the name of the country in question is highlighted in red.
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, when trying to use a hair dryer or electric razor.
In most hotels in the world there are no problems in order to take for a symbolic amount correct adapter for rent. Often the necessary adapter can be purchased at the nearest store. But if you travel frequently, prefer not to stay at a hotel, or don't want to leave it to chance, the following information will be useful to you.
To connect household appliances to the mains in the world, two types of electrical voltage and two mains frequencies are used:
At the same time, there are no longer 2 or 3, but as many as 15 different types of electrical plugs for household appliances and socket standards. 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 the drawing, but they differ in the size of sockets and plugs.)
afraid of so many different types sockets are not worth it. 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 outlets is used in a particular country will help you choose the right adapter, or understand that you do not need it on a given trip.
In all hotels in Cyprus, electrical plugs for household appliances and the corresponding sockets are type G. This is a well-known British system with three rectangular pins - one vertical and two horizontal. How they look can be seen in the photo. If you do not want to spend money on an adapter, you can rent it at the hotel reception, leaving a small deposit. The money will be returned upon departure. Some Russian narrow plugs are inserted into such outlets, so it's worth a try first (without the use of physical force).
Thai sockets have either two holes, or two pins, or two pins with a hole. Accordingly, this is type C (Euro socket), A and B (American sockets with and without grounding). Russian and Ukrainian electrical appliances are connected to type C sockets without any problems. There are also universal hole options (pictured). Refrigerators are usually plugged into flat-prong plug sockets, which is why they are less cluttered in hotels. If you need to charge your phone or laptop, then it is better to find an adapter and use such type A “refrigerator sockets”, 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. What kind of sockets in Thailand - you can see in the photo (universal option). However, if you have expensive equipment, it is better to have a ground adapter.
The type of sockets in Vietnam varies by region. In South Vietnam - type A (pictured), in North Vietnam - type C (European). In expensive hotels, British G sockets can be found. But everywhere - the usual mains current is 220 V, 50 Hz. There are adapters in hotels, but with a large influx of visitors, they may not be enough for everyone.
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 some thin pins may not fit tightly and will have to be fixed somehow, in which case it is better to use adapters. In general, tourists with sockets do not have problems in hotels of any star rating. In the photo - a common example of the type of outlets in hotels in India.
Most sockets in Italian hotels are type F. There is a grounding bracket inside, which does not interfere with inserting most of our domestic plugs. The European type of sockets C and the three-point type L are also common. If the plugs have thick legs or have grounding, like a computer, then you can not do without an adapter. In the photo on the left - type L socket, on the right - type F in Italy. If necessary, adapters are bought in any shop for 1-2 euros, and at the hotel reception they will be issued free of charge.
Sockets in the Dominican Republic in hotels have types A and B - American, with and without grounding. Adapters in hotels are at the reception. But the country's power supply standards are different: the mains voltage is 110 V, the frequency is 60 Hz. If you plug in a kettle, a razor or an iron for 220 V, they will work at a quarter of the force, 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 plugs not only of American models, but also of European ones, both with or without grounding. Similarly, the situation with the mains voltage and types of outlets is in Cuba. In modern hotels in Cuba, there are even Euro sockets with a voltage of 220 V.
Israel is "famous" for its unusual sockets, which are used only in this country, the voltage standard is European. Type H sockets are designed for a plug with three plugs. In old buildings, old European type C sockets are still preserved. Modern hotels are equipped with sockets where a three-plug input allows you to connect a regular European plug. Chargers and other household appliances turn on without problems, even the old Soviet model.
Many who have visited this country will give different answers to the question of what sockets are in the UAE and whether an adapter is required. The fact is that three standards coexist there - the widespread type G of the British socket with three flat pins, where an adapter is needed, type C of the usual European one, which does not need an adapter, and type D, which came here from Old England. It is no longer used in Britain, but it is found in India. Many narrow European plugs are stuck into this type, and with plugs of the old Soviet model, you can connect through an adapter. The problem is easily solved on the spot - adapters are available in hotels. The voltage and frequency in the UAE network are the same as ours.
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 the old Tefal kettles, but most often a tee and an extension cord are useful, since the socket in the hotel room will be in the singular.
Sockets in Spain in hotels of types C and F, which fit the European standard. In the photo - type F. Adapter is not needed.
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.
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 the spot. Expensive hotels already have the necessary adapters.
G 
J 
K
The most common types of electrical outlets are C and F; adapters are not needed for them. Less often - British G, then an adapter is needed. The current in the network is 220 V 50 Hz, in Bali - 127 V, there may also be sockets and American type B with grounding.
Voltage 127 V, frequency 60 Hz. Types of sockets - North American A and B. Therefore, an adapter is needed. Not everywhere in Mexico hotels offer it for free, so you have to spend a little. It can come in handy on the road - at the airport, on the ferry, cafes, so it's better to get your own.
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. European current.
In four-five-star hotels in Sri Lanka, the type of sockets is more often British G, although there are types D and M. Current 230 V, 50 Hz.
tell friends
It's really very inconvenient. Okay, before people didn’t travel much around the world, now it’s practically not a luxury. Remember, when household appliances assembled in Europe began to arrive in Russia, how many problems there were with our Soviet sockets. Bought adapters, they burned. Only not so long ago finally got rid of this problem.
I was in Cyprus in the spring - there are quite unusual British sockets. In a small town in Russia, you can’t buy adapters; upon arrival, you had to run around there, look for them, overpay. Soon I'm going to the Dominican Republic - and there again there are other sockets, American ones (sort of). Adapters will again have to be bought on the spot and not in 1 copy.
And all why...
In the era of electrification, inventors from different countries offered their own options for optimal sockets; different types of electric generators were built around the world.
First, the struggle of technologies at the dawn of the development of electricity left its mark. It's about about the opposition of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the creation of direct and alternating current networks, respectively. Although we know that AC power plants eventually won out, the DC infrastructure built in the US up to the 1920s (and in Stockholm up to the 1950s) has to be maintained and used right up to the present day. .
Secondly, many inventors offered their own options for optimal (in their opinion) sockets. For example, in 1904, the American inventor Harvey Hubbel received a patent for the first electrical outlet. By its design, it was a kind of adapter for an electric chuck-plug. The adapter was screwed into the cartridge instead of a light bulb, and some electrical appliance was connected to it.
The German engineer Albert Büttner created the "Euro socket" known to us today in 1926. And the first socket with grounding was created by Philippe Labre in 1927.
And the national companies involved in the installation of electrical networks supplied their devices suitable for these networks. Accordingly, different types of plug connectors and sockets were introduced and their own networks were designed. The developments of other countries were completely ignored.
Influenced the development of sockets and the availability of materials. For example, during the Second World War in Great Britain they came up with a three-prong plug with a short copper fuse. This design made it possible to save copper reserves for military needs. Curiously, the use of the 3-pin plug in the UK was in stark contrast to the rest of Europe and even North America, where 2-pin plugs were widely used and also differed in design, all due to the lack of communication in the early days. power supply development.
Now, according to one classification, 12 types of sockets are distinguished, according to another - 15. Moreover, sockets of one type sometimes accept plugs of another. However, having learned that in the country where you are going, the same type of outlet as at home, do not rush to rejoice! This solution is only half the problem. In different parts of the world, the voltage and frequency of the current may vary.
Classification of types of sockets and plugs in different countries peace
The most common are two standards: European - 220-240 V at a frequency of 50 Hz and American - 100-127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz. You should not check what will happen if an electrical appliance operating from 100-127 V is plugged into a socket with 220-240 V.
In some countries, you have to keep your eyes open at all. For example, in most parts of Brazil 127 V is used, but in the north of the country 220 V is found. And in Japan, the voltage is the same everywhere - 110 V, the frequency is different: 50 Hz is used in the east, 60 Hz in the west. The reason is simple: first, German-made generators with a frequency of 50 Hz were purchased for Tokyo, and shortly after that, American generators with a frequency of 60 Hz were supplied to Osaka.
Perhaps someday a single standard will be adopted. A universal socket for all types of plugs has already been developed. But for now it's up to everyone whether to install it or not. In addition, you first need to come to a single voltage standard. And this rests on the huge financial costs of re-equipment and re-equipment of transformer substations, replacement of sockets and plugs.
* Voltage 100-127V @ 60Hz is used by USA, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, part of Brazil and other countries.* Voltage 220-240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz is used in most other countries, but even with the same parameters, the type of sockets can vary greatly.
Here short description some of them:
Types A and B - American socket
Type B differs from A by having a third hole, which is for the ground pin. Such sockets, as you might guess from the name, were invented in the USA and distributed in North, Central and partly South America, as well as Japan and some other countries.
Types C and F - European socket
Just like A and B, types C and F differ only in the presence of grounding - F has it. The European socket is used in most EU countries, as well as in Russia and the CIS, Algeria, Egypt and many other countries.
Type G - UK socket
In the UK, the socket has three flat holes, and this design appeared for a reason. The fact is that during the Second World War the country experienced a shortage of copper. Therefore, a plug with a short copper fuse and three plugs was developed. In addition to Great Britain, the same socket is used in Cyprus, Malta, Singapore and other countries that have experienced the influence of the British Empire.
Type I - Australian socket
This type of outlet can be found not only in Australia, but also in New Zealand, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Guinea, Samoa and sometimes in China, where types A and C are also common.
Type H - Israeli socket
Type H is used only in Israel and Palestine, and the pins of the plug can be either round or flat, depending on when the device was manufactured. The flat shape of the outlet was in the old technique, but the new outlets fit two options.
Type K - Danish socket
This outlet can easily claim to be the "friendliest" in the world - its design resembles a smiling face. In addition to Denmark and Greenland, which is part of it, type K is used in Bangladesh and the Maldives - however, several types of sockets are common there at once.
Fortunately, all these differences will not spoil your vacation or business trip - you just need to purchase a suitable adapter in advance.
A map showing the distribution of different types of sockets in use around the world.(link to interactive map)
The world map shows the distribution of different types of sockets in use around the world. Countries in red are using Type A and B, dark blue are using types C and E/F (which are 100% compatible with each other), brown are countries using Type D, aqua is British type G, pink is Israeli types C and H , countries in yellow are using Australian type I, black are countries using type C and J, gray are types C and K, orange are types C and L, purple is in South Africa using type M, pale blue is countries using type N, and dark green is Thailand types C and O. Please note that this simplified overview only shows the most common plug type, and sometimes multiple systems in the same country.
For a complete and thorough overview of the electrical plugs used in each country, click .
List of countries in the world with their respective plug and socket types, voltages and frequencies. link worldstandards.eu/electrici...
A complete overview of all countries in the world and their respective plugs/sockets and voltages/frequencies used for home appliances. The table shows that in most countries the electricity supply is between 220 and 240 volts (50 or 60 Hz), far exceeding countries operating on 100-127 volts. The list also shows that types A and C are the most commonly used electrical plugs worldwide.
To keep up to date with upcoming posts on this blog there is a Telegram channel. Subscribe, there will be interesting information that is not published on the blog!
But for a long, long time we discussed . And here is the specifics of the American temperature:
Mains voltage, sockets, plugs, adapters and adapters - this is what every tourist who goes to an unfamiliar country should think about. This is especially true in the modern world, when the vast majority of people travel with their personal electronic devices that require constant recharging - from cameras and mobile phones to laptops and navigation systems. In many countries, the issue is solved simply - with the help of an adapter. However, plugs and sockets are only half the trouble. The mains voltage can also be different from the usual one at home - and you should know and remember this, otherwise you can ruin the device or charger. For example, in Europe and most Asian countries, the voltage varies from 220 to 240 volts. In America and Japan, it is half as much - from 100 to 127 volts. If a device designed for American or Japanese voltage is inserted into a European socket, it will burn out.
There are at least 13 different plugs and sockets in the world.
Type A
This type is designated as Class II. The plug consists of two parallel pins. In the Japanese version, the contacts are the same size. In the American one, one end is slightly wider than the other. Devices with a Japanese plug can be used in American sockets, but vice versa will not work.
Type B
for North and Central America and Japan
This type is referred to as Class I. The international designation for American type B is NEMA 5-15, Canadian type B is CS22.2, n°42 (CS = Canadian Standard). The maximum current is 15 A. In America, type B is very popular, in Japan it is much less common. Often, residents of old houses with type A sockets, acquiring new modern electrical appliances with type B plugs, simply “bite off” the third grounding contact.
Type C
used in all European countries except UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta
International designation - CEE 7/16. The plug consists of two contacts with a diameter of 4.0-4.8 mm at a distance of 19 mm from the center. The maximum current is 3.5 A. Type C is an obsolete version of the newer types E, F, J, K and L now used in Europe. All Type C plugs are ideal for new sockets.
Type D
used in India, Nepal, Namibia and Sri Lanka
International designation - BS 546 (BS = British Standard). It is an obsolete British style plug that was used in the metropolitan area until 1962. The maximum current is 5 A. Some type D sockets are compatible with type D and M plugs. Type D sockets can still be found in old houses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Type E
used mainly in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Tunisia and Morocco
International designation - CEE 7/7. Maximum current - 16 A. Type E is slightly different from CEE 7/4 (type F), which is common in Germany and other countries of central Europe. All Type C plugs fit perfectly into Type E sockets.
Type F
used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Spain and Eastern European countries.
International designation CEE 7/4. This type is also known as "Schuko". The maximum current is 16 A. All type C plugs are ideal for type F sockets. The same type is used in Russia (in the USSR it was designated as GOST 7396), the only difference is that the diameter of the contacts adopted in Russia is 4 mm, in while in Europe, 4.8mm contacts are most commonly used. Thus, Russian plugs easily fit into wider European sockets. But the plugs of electronic devices made for Europe do not fit into Russian sockets.
Type G
used in UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cyprus and Malta.
International designation - BS 1363 (BS = British Standard). The maximum current is 32 A. Tourists from Europe visiting the UK use ordinary adapters.
Type H
used in Israel
This connector is marked with the symbols SI 32. The type C plug is easily compatible with the type H socket.
Type I
used in Australia, China, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina.
International designation - AS 3112. Maximum current - 10 A. Sockets and plugs of types H and I do not match. The sockets and plugs used by the people of Australia and China are well matched.
Type J
only used in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
The international designation is SEC 1011. The maximum current is 10 A. Regarding type C, the type J plug has one more contact, and the socket has one more hole. However, Type C plugs will fit Type J sockets.
Type K
only used in Denmark and Greenland.
The international designation is 107-2-D1. The Danish socket accepts CEE 7/4 and CEE 7/7 plugs as well as Type C sockets.
Type L
used only in Italy and very rarely in North African countries.
International designation - CEI 23-16 / BII. The maximum current is 10 A or 16 A. All type C plugs fit L type sockets.
Type M
used in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.
Type M is very similar to type D. Most type M sockets are compatible with type D plugs.
In order for the plug from your device to be inserted into an outlet in a particular country in the world, an adapter or adapter is often needed. Universal adapters are on sale. In addition, in good hotels, you can usually ask for an adapter at the hotel reception.
Most modern technology, including laptops and chargers, is suitable for use in both networks - both 110 and 220 V - without the use of a transformer. Only the appropriate adapters for plugs and sockets are needed.
Of the 214 countries in the world, 165 countries use 220-240 V (50 or 60 Hz), and 39 countries use 100-127 V.
When going on vacation, make sure that you will not be left without your smartphone if it runs out of power. Sockets are not the same everywhere, as are the mains voltages. If the supply voltages in this country are suitable, it remains to acquire such an adapter or find out in advance where to buy it on the spot or order charging with such a plug. In this article, we will talk about the types of sockets and how many volts are in the socket in different parts of the world.
Voltage and frequency
All countries in the world use alternating current in their electrical networks. The difference lies. There are two common frequencies:
The voltages are also different - 100, 110, 115, 120, 127, 220, 230 or 240 volts. At the same time, the voltage and frequency may be different in different regions of the same country, such as, for example, in the eastern part of Japan, a network with a frequency of 50 Hz, and in the western part - 60 Hz. This may be due to the fact that electrification took place at different times or part of the country was part of another country. On the map below you can see how many volts are in which country in the world.
Sockets and plugs
Everyone knows that sockets are used to connect electrical appliances to electricity. Their connectors can be of different shapes and differ in location.
Types of sockets are marked with Latin letters from A to M - a total of 13 varieties, consider them in more detail.
Plug with two flat vertical pins - used in America (Northern and Central) and in Japan. At the same time, in Japanese plugs, the contacts are the same, and in American one of the pins is wider than the other.
Similar to "A", differs in that there are three pins - one of them is grounding. A type A plug is suitable for such an outlet. Its design allows the passage of current up to 15A. In Japan, it is less common than "A". Please note that in the socket and plug, one of the pins may be wider at the end than the second.
Type C- more familiar than the previous ones, there are two round pins with a diameter of 4.8 mm, earlier - 4 mm. Used in almost all European countries and in Russia. The difference in diameters has become the reason that modern, so-called "Euro plugs" often do not fit into Soviet sockets.
Type F differs from type C in the presence of grounding contacts.
Sockets and plugs of varieties D and E are similar to C and F, they also have grounding contacts, but for type D it is located on the plug in the form of a third pin, and in E it sticks out of the socket, respectively, there is a hole in the plug.
They are used in India, Nepal, Namibia, Sri Lanka, and the maximum current of these products is 5A. The middle pin is thicker and longer than the other two.
Type E- in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Morocco, Tunisia. They pass current up to 16 A. They are perfectly inserted plugs "C" (diamond-shaped as in the picture above, round ones will not fit), and some universal plugs of the type F (E) - with a hole as shown above.
Type D is also very similar to type M and plugs with sockets of these types are often compatible. They can be found in South Africa.
Used in the UK and Ireland, as well as Malaysia and Singapore, Hong Kong, Cyprus and Malta. Maximum current - 32 A.
In Israel they use H type sockets they are three-pin, the pins can be flat (old) or round (new). At the same time, new sockets are used with plugs with round and square pins. In addition, “C” plugs are suitable for such sockets. (And the voltage with the frequency in Israeli networks is almost the same as ours - 230V, 50 Hz).
Also with three pins is used in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in China, Argentina, Papua and New Guinea. Withstand current up to 10 A.
Sockets J with three pins on the plug is used in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. These sockets are compatible with Type C plugs.
Denmark and Greenland use Type K sockets and plugs.
Used in Italy, and found in North Africa. These are three-pin plugs and sockets whose pins are located in one row.
To summarize: in the table below you see a summary of what sockets, voltages and mains frequencies are used in the countries of the world.
What should I do if I'm traveling to another country with my equipment?
Most modern electronics are powered. And for them, the mains voltage often does not matter. To make sure of this, you need to study its characteristics - they are indicated on the sticker on the cases, or cast on it.
So and universal multi-purpose.
For example, most plugs in the world can be inserted into this one, and it will fit into sockets of the form C (not all), D, F, E and others.
To power equipment like a blender or other devices with electric motors, it is often the rated voltage that is needed, and if it decreases, either the power will decrease or the engine speed will decrease. In this case, they will work in countries with the same voltage as at home, regardless of the type of socket.
It is better to buy electric shavers with batteries, because they are also powered by an electric motor, and in the case of using rechargeable devices, you do not have to change the charger.
Write about your experience of traveling abroad, what sockets you saw and how you powered your appliances in the comments!
