When it comes to electricity, you can forget about globalization. Even in the European Union, where the same currency circulates, there are different electrical outlets. Therefore, when 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 proposed their own versions of the optimal sockets; all over the world were built different types of power generators. And the national companies involved in the installation of electrical grids supplied their devices suitable for these grids. Accordingly, various types of plug connectors and sockets were introduced and their networks were designed. The developments of other countries were completely ignored.
Influenced the design of outlets and the availability of materials. For example, during World War II, the UK came up with a three-pin plug with a short copper fuse. This design made it possible to save reserves of copper for military needs.
Now, according to one classification, there are 12 types of sockets, according to another - 15. Moreover, sockets of one type sometimes accept plugs of another. However, upon learning that the country you are going to has the same type of outlet as at home, do not rush to rejoice! This is a solution to only half of the problem. In different parts of the world, the voltage and frequency of the current may differ.

Classification of types of sockets and plugs in different countries of the world

The most common are two standards: European - 220-240 V at 50 Hz and American - 100-127 V at 60 Hz. It is not worth checking what will happen if an electrical appliance operating from 100-127 V is plugged into an outlet with 220-240 V.
In some countries, one should be on the alert at all. For example, in most parts of Brazil, 127 V is used, but in the north of the country there is 220 V. And in Japan the voltage is the same everywhere - 110 V, the frequency is different: in the east, 50 Hz is used, in the west - 60 Hz. The reason is simple: first, German-made generators with a frequency of 50 Hz were purchased for Tokyo, and soon after that, American ones with a frequency of 60 Hz were supplied in 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 is up to everyone to establish it or not. In addition, you first need to come to a single voltage standard. And this comes up against huge financial costs for re-equipment and re-equipment of transformer substations, replacement of sockets and plugs.
* Voltage 100-127 V @ 60 Hz is used by the USA, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, partly Brazil and other countries.
* 220–240 V @ 50 Hz is used in most other countries, but even with the same parameters, the type of outlets can vary greatly.

Here is a short description of some of them: Types A and B - American socket

Type B differs from A in that it has a third hole for the grounding prong. Such sockets, as you might guess from the name, were invented in the United States and are common 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 - it is in F. The European socket is used in most countries of the European Union, as well as in Russia and the CIS, Algeria, Egypt and many other countries.

Type G - British 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 copper deficit. Therefore, a plug with a short copper fuse and three plugs was developed. In addition to Great Britain, the same outlet is used in Cyprus, Malta, Singapore and other countries influenced by the British Empire.

Type I - Australian socket

This type of socket 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 only used in Israel and Palestine, and the prongs can be round or flat depending on when the unit was manufactured. The old technology had a flat rosette, but the new rosettes fit two options.

Type K - Danish socket

This outlet can safely claim the title of "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 outlets are common there at once.

Fortunately, all of these differences won't ruin your vacation or business trip - you just need to purchase a suitable adapter in advance.

Universal adapter

Map showing the distribution of the different types of outlets in use around the world.

The world map shows the distribution of different types of plugs in use around the world. Countries using Type A and B are highlighted in red, countries using Types C and E / F (which are 100% compatible with each other) are highlighted in dark blue, countries using Type D are highlighted in brown, aqua is British type G, pink is Israeli types C and H , countries using Australian type I are highlighted in yellow, countries using C and J, gray types C and K, orange types C and L, purple in South African countries type M, pale blue countries use type N, and dark green Thailand types C and O. Please note that this simplified overview only shows the most common plug type and sometimes several systems in the same country.

A complete overview of all countries in the world and their respective plugs / outlets 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), significantly outperforming countries operating at 100-127 volts. The list also shows that types A and C are the most commonly used electrical plugs around the world.
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 to travel to assess which adapter or transformer connector is needed for the trip. In this case, when the electricity situation in a country requires additional information, the country in question is highlighted in red.

This is really very inconvenient. Okay, before people did not travel much around the world, now it is practically not a luxury. Remember when household appliances assembled in Europe began to come to us in Russia, how many problems there were with our Soviet sockets. We bought adapters, they burned. Only not so long ago they finally got rid of this problem.

I've been to Cyprus in the spring - there are completely unusual British sockets. In a small town in Russia, adapters cannot be bought, I had to run there upon arrival, look for, overpay. Soon I'm going to the Dominican Republic - and there are again other sockets, American (like). Adapters will again have to be bought locally, but not in one copy.

And all why ...

In the era of electrification, inventors from different countries proposed their own versions of the optimal sockets; all over the world were built different types of power generators.

First, the struggle of technology at the dawn of the development of electricity left its mark. We are talking about the confrontation between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the creation of direct and alternating current networks, respectively. While we know that AC power ultimately won out, DC infrastructure built in the United States up until the 1920s (and in Stockholm until the 1950s) has to be maintained and used up to the present day. ...

Secondly, many inventors have proposed their own versions of the 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 plug-in adapter. The adapter was screwed into the socket instead of a light bulb, and an electrical device was connected to it.

The German engineer Albert Buettner created the "euro socket" we know today in 1926. And the first grounded socket was created by Philippe Labre in 1927.

And the national companies involved in the installation of electrical grids supplied their devices suitable for these grids. Accordingly, various types of plug connectors and sockets were introduced and their networks were designed. The developments of other countries were completely ignored.

Influenced the design of outlets and the availability of materials. For example, during World War II, the UK came up with a three-pin plug with a short copper fuse. This design made it possible to save reserves of copper for military needs. Curiously, the use of a 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 lack of communication in the early days. power supply development.

Now, according to one classification, there are 12 types of sockets, according to another - 15. Moreover, sockets of one type sometimes accept plugs of another. However, upon learning that the country you are going to has the same type of outlet as at home, do not rush to rejoice! This is a solution to only half of the problem. In different parts of the world, the voltage and frequency of the current may differ.

Classification of types of sockets and plugs in different countries of the world

The most common are two standards: European - 220-240 V at 50 Hz and American - 100-127 V at 60 Hz. It is not worth checking what will happen if an electrical appliance operating from 100-127 V is plugged into an outlet with 220-240 V.

In some countries, one should be on the alert at all. For example, in most parts of Brazil, 127 V is used, but in the north of the country there is 220 V. And in Japan the voltage is the same everywhere - 110 V, the frequency is different: in the east, 50 Hz is used, in the west - 60 Hz. The reason is simple: first, German-made generators with a frequency of 50 Hz were purchased for Tokyo, and soon after that, American ones with a frequency of 60 Hz were supplied in 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 is up to everyone to establish it or not. In addition, you first need to come to a single voltage standard. And this comes up against huge financial costs for re-equipment and re-equipment of transformer substations, replacement of sockets and plugs.

* Voltage 100-127 V at 60 Hz is used by the USA, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, partly 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 outlets can vary greatly.

Here is a short description of some of them:

Types A and B - American socket

Type B differs from A in that it has a third hole for the grounding prong. Such sockets, as you might guess from the name, were invented in the United States and are common 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 - it is in F. The European socket is used in most countries of the European Union, as well as in Russia and the CIS, Algeria, Egypt and many other countries.

Type G - British 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 copper deficit. Therefore, a plug with a short copper fuse and three plugs was developed. In addition to Great Britain, the same outlet is used in Cyprus, Malta, Singapore and other countries influenced by the British Empire.

Type I - Australian socket

This type of socket 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 only used in Israel and Palestine, and the prongs can be round or flat depending on when the unit was manufactured. The old technology had a flat rosette, but the new rosettes fit two options.

Type K - Danish socket

This outlet can safely claim the title of "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 outlets are common there at once.

Fortunately, all of these differences won't ruin your vacation or business trip - you just need to purchase a suitable adapter in advance.

Map showing the distribution of the different types of outlets in use around the world.(link to interactive map)

The world map shows the distribution of different types of plugs in use around the world. Countries using Type A and B are highlighted in red, countries using Types C and E / F (which are 100% compatible with each other) are highlighted in dark blue, countries using Type D are highlighted in brown, aqua is British type G, pink is Israeli types C and H , countries using Australian type I are highlighted in yellow, countries using C and J, gray types C and K, orange types C and L, purple in South African countries type M, pale blue countries use type N, and dark green Thailand types C and O. Please note that this simplified overview only shows the most common plug type and sometimes several systems in the same country.

For a complete and thorough overview of electrical plugs used in each country, click here.

List of countries in the world with corresponding plug and socket types, voltages and frequencies. link worldstandards.eu/electrici ...

A complete overview of all countries in the world and their respective plugs / outlets 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), significantly outperforming countries operating at 100-127 volts. The list also shows that types A and C are the most commonly used electrical plugs around the world.

To keep abreast of upcoming posts on this blog there is a Telegram channel... Subscribe, there will be interesting information that is not published on the blog!

But how long ago, for a long time we discussed . And here's the specifics of American temperature:

Types of outlets in hotels of tourist countries (UAE, Cyprus, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, others)

While abroad, tourists sometimes face the problem of mismatching the plug and the local electrical outlet. Most often this happens when recharging gadgets, when trying to use a hairdryer or an electric shaver.

In most hotels in the world, there are no problems with renting the adapter you need for a nominal sum. Often the required adapter can be purchased at your nearest store. But if you travel frequently, prefer not to stay at a hotel, or do not want to rely on chance, the following information will be useful to you.

To connect household appliances to the mains, two types of electrical voltage and two mains frequencies are used in the world:

• European current at 220-240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz
• American-Japanese at 100-127 V at 60 Hz.

At the same time, various types of electrical plugs for household appliances and standard sockets are no longer 2 or 3, 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 numerical order adopted by the ITA - US Department of Commerce in 1998. (Some models are similar in the illustration, but they differ in the size of the jacks and plugs).

You shouldn't 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 plugs are used in a particular country will help you choose the right adapter, or understand that you do not need one for your trip.

Cyprus

In all hotels in Cyprus, electrical plugs for household appliances and corresponding outlets are type G. This is the famous 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 fit into such sockets, so it's worth a try first (without using physical force).

Sockets in Thailand

Thai sockets have either two holes or two pins or two pins with a hole. Accordingly, these are 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). Flat-prong sockets usually include refrigerators, so they are less loose in hotels. If you need to recharge your phone or laptop, then it is better to find an adapter and use such "sockets for the refrigerator" 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. 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 grounded adapter.

Features of sockets in Vietnam

The type of outlet in Vietnam varies by region. In South Vietnam, type A (pictured), in North Vietnam, type C (European). In expensive hotels one can find British G sockets. But everywhere - the usual current of the 220 V, 50 Hz network. There are adapters in hotels, but with a large influx of visitors, they 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 sit tightly and they will have to be fixed somehow, in which case it is better to use adapters. In general, tourists with power outlets do not have problems in hotels of any star rating. The photo shows a common example of the type of outlets in hotels in India.

Italy

Basically, sockets in Italian hotels are of type F. There is a grounding bracket inside, which does not interfere with inserting most of our domestic plugs. European type C and three-point type L sockets are also widespread. 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 - a type L socket, on the right - a type F socket in Italy. If necessary, adapters can be bought in any store for 1-2 euros and at the hotel receptions they will be given free of charge.

Sockets in the Dominican Republic and Cuba in hotels. Features of the voltage of the mains

The sockets in the Dominican Republic in hotels are of types A and B - American, with and without grounding. Hotel adapters are available at the reception. But the country's power supply standards are different: the voltage in the network is 110 V, the frequency is 60 Hz. If you turn on a kettle, razor or iron for 220 V, they will work at a quarter of the strength, and charging will take longer. Transformer adapters are on sale, 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 samples, but also of European ones, both with and without grounding. Likewise, the situation with the voltage of the mains and the types of outlets is the case in Cuba. In modern hotels in Cuba, there are even Euro 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 for a 3-pin plug. Old buildings still have old European type C sockets. Modern hotels are equipped with sockets, where a three-pin 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 differently when asked what sockets are in the UAE and whether an adapter is required. The fact is that there are three standards side by side - the widespread type G British socket with three flat pins, where an adapter is needed, the type C of the usual European, which does not need an adapter, and type D, which came here from Old England. In Britain it is no longer used, but in India it is found. 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 can be easily solved 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 ordinary European type C and type E (pictured), voltage and frequency are standard. Sometimes an adapter is needed, as for the previous Tefal teapots, but most often a tee and an extension cord are useful, since the socket in the hotel room will be singular.

Spain

Sockets in Spain in type C and F hotels, which are suitable for the European standard. Pictured is type F. No adapter required.

Greece

In Greece, the 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 outlets 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

Indonesia

The most common types of electrical outlets are C and F, and adapters are not required for them. Less commonly - 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.

Mexico

Voltage 127 V, frequency 60 Hz. The outlet types are North American A and B. Therefore an adapter is required. Not everywhere in hotels in Mexico it is offered for free, so you have to spend a little. It can also come in handy on the way - at the airport, on the ferry, in a cafe, so it's better to get your own.

Singapore

Types of electrical outlets A, C and G are used for connecting video equipment, M - for air conditioners and fixed hair dryers; hotels have different adapters. The current is European.

Sri Lanka

In four to five-star hotels in Sri Lanka, the type of outlet is often British G, although there are types D and M. Current 230 V, 50 Hz.

tell friends

There are a great many ways to connect to the electrical network, different types of plugs and sockets, and for a tourist (coupled with different voltages and frequencies), such a variety turns into a serious problem.

Of the many connections, the 13 most commonly used types of sockets are distinguished, denoted by Latin letters from A to M.

Type A

This type is designated as Class II. The plug has two parallel contacts. In the Japanese version, the contacts are the same size. In the American style, one end is slightly wider than the other. Devices with a Japanese plug can be used in American outlets, but the other way around will not work.

Type B

Used in North and Central America and Japan.

This type is designated as Class I. International designation of American type B - NEMA 5-15, Canadian type B - 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 widespread. Often, residents of old houses with type A sockets, purchasing new modern electrical appliances with type B plugs, simply “bite off” the third grounding contact.

Type C

Used in all European countries with the exception of Great Britain, 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, which are now used in Europe. All Type C plugs fit perfectly with new outlets.

Type D

Used in India, Nepal, Namibia and Sri Lanka.

International designation - BS 546 (BS = British Standard). This is an obsolete British-style plug that was used in the metropolis until 1962. The maximum current is 5 A. Some D-type sockets are compatible with D and M plugs. D-type sockets can still be found in old houses in Great Britain and Ireland.

Type E

Mainly used in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Tunisia and Morocco.
International designation - CEE 7/7. The maximum current is 16 A. Type E is slightly different from CEE 7/4 (type F), which is common in Germany and other Central European countries. All Type C plugs fit perfectly with Type E receptacles.

Type F

Mainly used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Spain and Eastern Europe.

International designation CEE 7/4. This type is also known as "Schuko". The maximum current is 16 A. All type C plugs are ideally suited to 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, contacts with a diameter of 4.8 mm are most often used. Thus, Russian plugs fit easily into wider European sockets. But the plugs of electronic devices made for Europe do not fit into Russian sockets.

Type G

Used in the 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 conventional adapters.

Type H

Used in Israel.

This connector is identified by SI 32. The C-type plug is easily compatible with the H-type receptacle.

Type I

Used in Australia, China, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina.

International designation - AS 3112. Maximum current - 10 A. Sockets and plugs types H and I do not match. The outlets and plugs used by people in Australia and China fit well together.

Type J

Used only in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

International designation - SEC 1011. Maximum current - 10 A. Relative to type C, the type J plug has one more contact, and the socket has another hole. However, Type C plugs will fit Type J receptacles.

Type K

Used only in Denmark and Greenland.

International designation - 107-2-D1. The Danish outlet 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 outlets.

Type M

Used in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.

Type M is very similar to Type D. Most Type M outlets are compatible with Type D plugs.

In Europe, the voltage in the electrical network varies from 220 to 240 V, in the USA and Japan - from 100 to 120 V - why? Is it really just to create problems for tourists who are forced to carry adapters with them or look for it already upon arrival, so as not to let the phone "die"?
When it comes to electricity, you can forget about globalization. Even in the European Union, where the same currency circulates, there are different electrical outlets. The reason for this is the historical factor.

In the era of electrification, inventors from different countries proposed their own versions of the optimal sockets; all over the world were built different types of power generators. And the national companies involved in the installation of electrical grids supplied their devices suitable for these grids. Accordingly, various types of plug connectors and sockets were introduced and their networks were designed. The developments of other countries were completely ignored.

Influenced the design of outlets and the availability of materials. For example, during World War II, the UK came up with a three-pin plug with a short copper fuse. This design made it possible to save reserves of copper for military needs.

Now, according to one classification, there are 12 types of sockets, according to another - 15. Moreover, sockets of one type sometimes accept plugs of another. However, upon learning that the country you are going to has the same type of outlet as at home, do not rush to rejoice! This is a solution to only half of the problem. In different parts of the world, the voltage and frequency of the current may differ.

Classification of types of sockets and plugs in different countries of the world

The most common are two standards: European - 220-240 V at 50 Hz and American - 100-127 V at 60 Hz. It is not worth checking what will happen if an electrical appliance operating from 100-127 V is plugged into an outlet with 220-240 V.

In some countries, one should be on the alert at all. For example, in most parts of Brazil, 127 V is used, but in the north of the country there is 220 V. And in Japan the voltage is the same everywhere - 110 V, the frequency is different: in the east, 50 Hz is used, in the west - 60 Hz. The reason is simple: first, German-made generators with a frequency of 50 Hz were purchased for Tokyo, and soon after that, American ones with a frequency of 60 Hz were supplied in 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 is up to everyone to establish it or not. In addition, you first need to come to a single voltage standard. And this comes up against huge financial costs for re-equipment and re-equipment of transformer substations, replacement of sockets and plugs.

Something about sockets and their use from my own experience