Content:
- Why the sockets are different
- Worldwide socket standards
- It is important to know and understand
Why the sockets are different
After discovering and finding ways to use electric current on the planet, each monopoly company tried "Knock out" the market for yourself, by standardizing the frequencies of current, voltage and even kind that differ from competitors electric current. And although AC transmission by wire won the race, there were still 2 main standards legalized: 230 Volts / 50 Hertz and 110 Volts / 60 Hertz. Yet the first standard is used in most of the world (165 out of 214 countries), this can be clearly seen on the map:
But as for sockets and plugs, in different countries, due to the appearance of new electrical appliances on the market, the task was to make their connection to the network fast and safe. So each country, and in particular the manufacturing companies, began to offer their own connectors on the market, which subsequently led to their standardization in specific regions.
There have been attempts to make one connector standard all over the world, but the well-known world wars nullified every such attempt. In addition, due to the difference in voltages in different countries, if the type of outlets were the same, then you could burn the device by connecting it to a network with a different voltage from its nominal value. As a result, the development and further use of adapters and transformers, which made it possible not only to use imported equipment, but also to use our own outside the country.
So, let's figure out what types of sockets are in different countries of the world.
Worldwide socket standards
There are the following types of sockets and plugs in the world (we list them with their names): A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O. Total 14, but there are also other classifications, we have listed the most popular and well-known types. Let's consider where which ones are used and how they look.
Immediately we present to your attention the so-called rosette map of the world:
Type of A and B (North and Central America, Canada, Japan). They differ only in the presence of an additional grounding contact - the third connector in the socket and the third pin in the plug (for type B). Therefore, plug A can be connected to socket B, but vice versa will not work, although there is information on the network that some craftsmen simply bite off the third contact (ground) and then you can connect plug B to the outlet A. But you don't need to do that. Another point, in the Japanese "version" of sockets and switches, the pins and connectors are the same, but in the American one, one pin is larger than the other. Therefore, Japanese plugs can be plugged into American sockets, but vice versa will not work.
The most famous countries in the world where A / B sockets and plugs are used: Mexico, Bahamas, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Korea, Cuba, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Philippines, Japan. Please note that other standards are popular in some of these countries.
Important! Only sockets of type A and B are powered from a voltage of 100-127 Volts, all other types, with the exception of N, are powered from a voltage of 220-240 Volts. Class N operates on a voltage of 100-240 Volts.
Sockets type C previously used in almost all European countries, as well as in the countries of the former USSR, including Russia. The only exceptions are Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. This is an outdated option, which is practically not popular today (except that cheap Chinese devices can be supplied with such plugs).
Type of D used in the former British colonies: India (including GOA), Nepal, Namibia and Sri Lanka. It is important to note that the D type is an obsolete example of the British G plug that is now used in modern electrical appliances. Therefore, you can find type D sockets and plugs only in outdated housing stock.
The next type, E Are French sockets and plugs. They are more familiar to us, with the exception of the pin in the socket located above the two standard connectors. This is a grounding socket, respectively, a special groove for a grounding contact is located in the plug. You can meet such a performance of electrical outlets in France, Slovakia, Belgium and Tunisia. In addition, type E sockets are found in such well-known countries of the world as Cameroon, the Canary Islands, Madagascar, Morocco, Poland, Syria and the Czech Republic.
Sockets type F widely used in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and European countries. This is the German standard that has gained the most popularity among the domestic audience. The reason is the ability to withstand currents up to 16A and convenient design. The German standard can be found in tourist countries such as Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, of course Germany, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Indonesia, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro and etc. So if you are in Bali, do not worry about the mismatch of plugs and sockets.
Type of G - British sockets and plugs. In addition to Great Britain, they are widely used in Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and also in Cyprus. It is important to note that this standard is almost the only one that is used in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Class G electrical plugs have not only a specific appearance, but also a fuse is provided for by the design, which is very unusual. So if you are, for example, in England, consider the latter feature.
Type of H quite rare and used only in Israel, the photo shows how it looks:
Sockets and Plugs Type I a bit like the previous ones (H), but the connectors and pins are at a different angle. They can be found in China, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.
Next, alphabetically, are class sockets J, which are found in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and that is quite rare. It is important to note that type C plugs can be connected to J sockets, however, on the contrary, connection is not possible due to the presence of a third contact.
Many have seen "smiling rosettes" resembling a smiley, and some even look like a cry. Such cute devices are used in Madagascar, Greenland, and Denmark, they are assigned the letter K. Soviet-style plugs (Type C) can be plugged into these joyful sockets.
Sockets with connectors in a row are of the type L. They can be found in Italy, North Africa, as well as in Uruguay and Chile. Type C plugs will fit into these receptacles.
Very similar to the D standard are sockets and plugs of the type M. They are often found in countries such as Swaziland and Lesotho, as well as in South Africa.
Also, type J sockets, which we have already talked about, look almost the same, and N. There is a slight difference in the distance from the central connector to the other two, however, the devices are not compatible with each other. Brazil grade N applied, grade C plug compatible.
Well, the last type of sockets that will be discussed within this article is O. You can find them in Thailand, the connectors are compatible with C plugs.
It is important to know and understand
As we have already indicated above, in America, Canada, Japan and some countries nearby, the voltage and frequency of alternating current differs from the usual 230 Volts 50 Hertz. And if you can solve the problem with the mismatch between the plug and the socket by using an adapter, then connecting equipment that is incompatible with the parameters of the "foreign" network, you will disable it. It is good if there are no injuries and accidents.
That is why pay attention to the characteristics of the electrical appliances that you are going to connect at the hotel, and compare them with the characteristics of the electrical network of the country where you decided go. There are electrical appliances that can operate at a voltage of 100-240 Volts without additional transformers. If this is not your case, purchase a special step-down / step-up transformer in advance and connect the equipment through it.
So we examined what types and types of electrical outlets are in different countries of the world. We hope that the provided photos and brief information helped you study this issue and find the right answer. If we missed some country, write in the comments, we will be happy to respond promptly!
Related materials:
- Nikola Tesla's greatest discoveries
- How to lower the voltage in the network
- How to increase the voltage in the network
- What is the difference between alternating current and direct current
