Types of Electrical Plugs – Electrical plugs have a variety of types, and almost every country around the world uses a different type.
Each and every types of electrical plugs has unique characteristics and compatibility with different connectors. However, how many other types of electrical plugs do you know?
Through this article, dimulti will explore 15 types of electrical plugs that are used in different countries.
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Table of Contents
How Many Types of Electrical Plugs are There?
The electrical electrical plug is an important device in distributing electricity to a variety of electronic devices around the world.
Here’s a brief overview of the 15 types of electrical plugs used in different countries.
1. Type A (NEMA 1-15)
Type A electrical plugs are used by 23 countries around the world. Known for two adjacent pins, this type belongs to Class II with a standard two parallel branches.
The average voltage ranges between 100-127 Volts (V). Some of the countries that adapted it included Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, and the United States. (AS).
2. Type B (NEMA 5-15)
Type B electrical plugs have two adjacent pins plus U-shaped at the bottom. Compatible with Type A & B connectors, Type B can be found in 17 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Variant of its voltage can range between 100-200 V.
3. Type C (EU 2 Ungrounded)
Type C electrical plug, also known as Europlug, is a model commonly used in Indonesia. This type has two cylinder connector pins with a diameter of 4 millimeters (mm).
The center is 19 mm, with the pin spacing at the separate bottom 18.6 mm and at the ends 17.5 mm. In addition to Indonesia, type C is widely used in Argentina, Bangladesh, China, Chile, Morocco, Paraguay, and other European countries. (with the exception of Irlandia, Siprus, dan Malta).
4. Type D (British 5A/13A)
Type D electrical plugs are commonly used in India and Nepal. This model has three round-shaped pins that form a triangle with a strength of 5 ampere (A).
One voltage for type D plugs is 220 V and 240 V. Other countries that use this type of power socket include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Macau, Maldives, Monaco, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
5. Type E (EU CEE7/5)
The type E electrical plug pin model is similar to the type C, with two round pins. Its length is 14 mm and diameter is 4.8 mm. Its voltage units are 220 V and 230 V.
Type E plugs are widely used in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, Palestine, Monaco, and Morocco.
6. Type F (EU CEE7/4)
Type F electrical plugs, or often referred to as “schuko sticks,” have similarities to type C. They are round shaped and are equipped with two pins on the sides.
The voltage unit is 220-240 V. Type F plugs are widely used in Europe and Russia (except for the United Kingdom), Bhutan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Macau, Peru, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey, to Uruguay.
7. Type G Plugs (British 13A)
Type G is commonly used in Europe, Ireland, Malta, Malaysia, and Singapore. G-type pins have a length of 17.7 mm, while short pins are 6.35 mm. Common voltage used are 220, 230, and 240 V.
Also Read: Difference Between Electrical Socket and Switch“
8. Type H Plugs (Thai 16A/250V)
This type of electrical plug is used exclusively in Palestine and Thailand. Type H has three round forks that form a triangle.
This electrical plug is most commonly used in some Palestinian areas, with a length of 19 mm and a distance between one connection/pin and the other connection is 19 mm.
9. Type I Plugs (Australasian/China/Argentina)
Type I plugs have two reverse V-shaped connections with a 30-degree bend and have a pin in the middle as grounding.
Type I is commonly used in Argentina, Australia, China, Fiji, Myanmar, New Zealand, and Uruguay.
10. Type J Plugs (Swiss)
Type J plug have similarities to type C and both have three connections. This type of electrical plug can form a V with a 30-degree curve.
Both parallel pins serve as phase and neutral pins, while one pin in the middle serves as a grounding. Type J electrical plugs are only used in Maldives, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
11. Type K Plugs (Danish 13A/250V)
Type K electrical plugs are commonly used in Denmark and Greenland, it has 3 pins with 2 rounded pins on either side of the sockets and one that is shaped like an U on the bottom serves as a grounded pin.
The U-shaped earthing pin is 14 mm long, 4 mm thick and has a 6.5 mm diameter. The line and the neutral pins of type K are round and have a 4.8 mm diameter. They are 19 mm in length and their centers are spaced 19 mm apart.
12. Type L Plugs (Italian)
Three round forks-like pins are placed in one straight line on this type of electrical plug.
countries that use this electrical plug type include Chile, Cuba, Italy, Maldives, San Marino, and Uruguay. L-type sockets are also used in the Canary Islands, Libya, Syria, and several other countries.
There are two types of plug/socket rated at 10 and 16 amps in the Italian CEI 23-16/VII standard. The three 4 mm circular pins on the 10 amp version are 19 mm long. The distance between the neutral pin and line centers is 19 mm.
The center of the ground pin is 9.5 mm away from the centers of any of the two outside prongs. Type C plugs are also compatible with the 10 amp style socket.
On the other hand, the three 5 mm circular pins on the 16 amp version are 19 mm long. The neutral pin and line centers are separated by 26 mm.
The center of the ground pin is 13 mm away from the centers of any of the two outside prongs. Both plugs are unpolarized since they are symmetrical and may be put in any direction.
13. Type M
The type M plug is similar to the A-type plug with three triangular round connector forks. In contrast, the third pin is above the other two connectors.
For its power, the plug requires 15 A and has three forks or round connections. Countries that use this type of collar include Bhutan, India, Palestine, Macau, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
Type M electrical plugs used in Palestine and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are generally used for heavy equipment, while in the UK, type M is used for theater installations.
14. Type N
Type N plugs are commonly used exclusively in Brazil and South Africa.
There are three types of N plugs, 10 A type electrical plug variants with a circle diameter of 4 mm; 16 A with 4,5 mm; and 20 A with 4,8mm.
The prongs of all three versions have a length of 19 mm, with the centers of the line and neutral pins are spaced 19 mm apart.
15. Type O
The type O plugs are exclusively used in Thailand. This model has two pins and one round-shaped ground pin.
The distance between one pin and the other pin is separated by a distance of 19 mm with 10 mm long insulated sleeves. The type O plug provides special electricity requirements for Thailand.
So there you have it, the 15 types of electrical plugs that are commonly used in the world.
In Indonesia, it is mandatory for every electrical plug to be certified by the SNI certification to ensure its safety and quality.
The SNI certificate is a type of product approval given to almost every products and services sold and distributed in the Indonesian market.
You can check the list of the products that are mandatory to be certified by the SNI certification, HERE.
The product that about to be certified by the SNI certification must undergo a rigorous set of tests to ensure its safety and quality.
Not only this will give a peace of mind for the Indonesian customers knowing that the products they bought have guaranteed to be safe, the SNI certification is also beneficial for business owners alike.
The presence of the SNI logo on your products will boost the trust of the Indonesian market for your products, thus will increase your business revenue.
For more information, kindly check the information below!
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- Phone Number: (021) 27843242
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