What Are Electric Plugs For Each Country? - Definition from SearchDataCenter.com (2024)

FAQs

What plug does each country use? ›

The reason plugs look different depending on where you are in the world is because electricians, engineers, and grid planners independently developed their own technologies and electrical grid systems from country to country, and no universal standard (regarding prong shape or voltage) was set early on.

Let's walk through some common terms. Plugs: Officially called attachment plugs, these are the plastic-capped, pronged ends of cords inserted into receptacles to deliver electricity to your equipment, lights and devices.

In total there's 15 different plug and socket types used around the world as you will see below. 2 outlets are most commonly used – plug type C is used most by European countries and plug type A is used by the USA, Canada and China.

The Europlug is a flat, non-rewirable two-pole, round-pin domestic AC power plug, rated for voltages up to 250 V and currents up to 2.5 A. It is a compromise design intended to connect low-power Class II appliances safely to the many different forms of round-pin domestic power socket used across Europe.

For China there are three associated plug types, types A, C and I. Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins, plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type I is the plug which has three flat pins in a triangular pattern. China operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

For Canada there are two associated plug types, types A and B. Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Canada operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.

For United Kingdom the associated plug type is G, which is the plug that three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. United Kingdom operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Type A and Type C are the most used plugs in the world. The U.S. uses Type A and Type B and the U.K. uses Type G.

For France there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket's male earthing pin. France operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

What plug is used in Australia? ›

For Australia the associated plug type is I, which is the plug that has three flat pins in a triangular pattern. Australia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

For Italy there are three associated plug types, types C, F and L. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side and plug type L is the plug type which has three round pins. Italy operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

For Japan there are two associated plug types, A and B. Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and plug type B is the plug which has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. Japan operates on a 100V supply voltage and 50/60Hz.

The voltage in Japan is 100 Volt, which is different from North America (120V), Central Europe (230V) and most other regions of the world. Japanese electrical plugs and outlets resemble North American ones. Plugs come in various versions, but most commonly they are non-polarized and ungrounded with two pins.

In terms of which countries use what type of plug and socket, the majority of European countries use Type C, Type E, or Type F plugs and sockets, while the US, Canada, and Mexico use Type A and Type B plugs and sockets. Some countries, such as the UK and Ireland, use their own unique plugs and sockets.

The U.S. uses Type A and Type B and the U.K. uses Type G.

You should never exceed the rated voltage of a cable. In your two scenarios: Using the 110 V rated cable to connect between a 220 V outlet and any device is a bad idea. Connecting a 220 V rated cable between a 220 V outlet and 110-220 V device is just fine.

For United Kingdom the associated plug type is G, which is the plug that three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.