Types of Plugs Required for International Travel

August 11, 2024

Types of Electric Plugs

Electric plugs come in various designs and specifications, tailored to different electrical standards and safety requirements across the globe. Here’s an overview of some of the most common types:

*Electric Plug Types Around The World | Image Source: Wikipedia*

Type A

Description: Ungrounded plug with two parallel flat prongs.
Voltage/Current Rating: 125V, 15A.
Usage: Commonly used in North America and compatible with Type B sockets.

Type B

Description: Grounded plug featuring two flat parallel prongs and a round grounding pin.
Voltage/Current Rating: 125V, 15A.
Usage: Widely used in North America, Mexico, and parts of Asia.

Type C

Description: Unpolarized, ungrounded plug with two spherical pins.
Usage: The most widely used plug type globally, often referred to as the Europlug.

Type D

Description: Grounded plug with three circular pins arranged in a triangular pattern.
Usage: Used primarily in India and some other countries.

Type E

Description: Plug with two round pins and a female contact for grounding.
Voltage/Current Rating: 16A.
Usage: Commonly found in France, Belgium, and several other European countries.

Type F (Schuko)

Description: Similar to Type E but with earthing clips instead of a female contact.
Usage: Used in Germany and other parts of Europe; compatible with Type E sockets.

Type G

Description: Grounded plug with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangular formation.
Voltage/Current Rating: 230V, 13A.
Usage: Standard in the UK and several other countries; known for its safety features including a built-in fuse.

Type I

Description: Plug with two flat pins angled at 30 degrees and a flat grounding pin.
Usage: Commonly used in Australia, New Zealand, and China.

Type L

Description: Three round pins arranged in a straight line; available in two current ratings (10A and 16A).
Usage: Used in Italy and some other regions.

Type N

Description: Consists of three round pins arranged triangularly; available in variants rated at 10A, 16A, and 20A.
Usage: Standardized for use in Brazil.

Summary Table of Electric Plugs

Plug Type	Description	Voltage/Current Rating	Common Usage
Type A	Two flat prongs	125V, 15A	North America
Type B	Two flat prongs + ground pin	125V, 15A	North America
Type C	Two spherical pins	–	Worldwide
Type D	Three circular pins	–	India
Type E	Two round pins + female contact	16A	France, Belgium
Type F	Two round pins + earthing clips	–	Germany
Type G	Three rectangular pins	230V, 13A	UK
Type I	Two angled flat pins + ground pin	–	Australia, China
Type L	Three round pins (10A/16A)	–	Italy
Type N	Three round pins (10A/16A/20A)	–	Brazil

Understanding these types is essential for ensuring compatibility when using electrical devices across different regions.

What Plugs Is Used In What Country

Here is a comprehensive list of plug types required for travel, organized by country:

Region	Country/Area	Plug Type	Voltage	Frequency
North America	United States, Canada, Mexico	Type A and B	120 V	60 Hz
Central America and Caribbean	Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago	Type A and B	110-120 V	60 Hz
South America	Argentina	Type C and I	220 V	50 Hz
	Brazil	Type C and N	127/220 V	60 Hz
	Chile	Type C and L	220 V	50 Hz
	Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru	Type A and B	110-120 V	60 Hz
	Uruguay	Type C, F, and L	220 V	50 Hz
Europe	United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus	Type G	230 V	50 Hz
	France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland	Type C and F	230 V	50 Hz
	Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Turkey	Type C and F	230 V	50 Hz
Africa	South Africa	Type C, D, M, and N	230 V	50 Hz
	Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria	Type C and E	220 V	50 Hz
	Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda	Type G	240 V	50 Hz
Asia	China	Type A, C, and I	220 V	50 Hz
	India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh	Type C, D, and M	230 V	50 Hz
	Japan	Type A and B	100 V	50/60 Hz
	Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore	Type A, B, C, and G	220 V	50 Hz
Oceania	Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea	Type I	230 V	50 Hz
Middle East	Israel	Type C and H	230 V	50 Hz
	Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait	Type G	230 V	50 Hz

Additional Notes

Type A: Used in North and Central America; Japan.
Type C: Commonly used in Europe; South America; parts of Asia.
Type G: Used in the UK; Ireland; Malta; Arabian Peninsula.
Type I: Used in Australia; New Zealand; China; Argentina.

This list covers the majority of countries and their respective plug types. When traveling, it’s important to check the specific plug type and voltage requirements for your destination. A universal adapter can be useful to accommodate multiple plug types, and voltage converters may be necessary for devices not compatible with the local voltage.

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