Around the World with IEC Plugs

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Around the World with IEC Plugs

• Wires and cables are a part of our life. There
  are a variety of cables and cords available in
  the market. They help keep our devices connected
  and connect us with the internet as well. There
  are standards set for all the devices that use or
  produce electricity or contain electronics. Like
  IEC international standards and NEMA. Based on
  these standards, there are different power cords
  like IEC C13 power cord, IEC C7 power cord, NEMA
  power cord, all made and used for different
  purposes. Not only that, in fact, different
  countries have different power standards. So,
  today we will be showcasing different types of
  standards of plugs that connect cords to your
  devices and power them up.
• Type A
• The Type A electrical plug is an ungrounded plug
  with two flat parallel pins. You can spot them
  mostly in America and Japan. The American and
  Japanese plugs look similar but the neutral pin
  on the American plug is wider than the live pin
  whereas in the Japanese plug both pins are of
  the same size.
• It means that you can use Japanese plugs in the
  US but not the other way around. Other countries
  that use this type of plug are Canada, Mexico,
  and Japan.
• Its voltage range is 100V to 127V.
• The pins of Type A plug have the hole near the
  tip that fits into the wipers of some sockets.
  This helps the pins to have a good grip of the
  socket preventing the plug from coming out of the
  socket.

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Type B The Type B electrical plug has two flat
parallel pins and a round grounding pin for
earthing. The earthing pin is longer than the
other two so the device stays grounded while it
connects with the power. Similar to Type A
plugs, the American and Japanese versions vary a
bit. They are mainly useful in the USA, Canada,
Mexico and Japan. Its voltage range is mostly
from 100V to 127V and they are rated at 15
amps. Type C The Type C electrical plug is also
known as Europlug. It is a two-wire plug and has
two round pins. It fits into any socket that has
4.0 to 4.8 mm round contact and 19 mm in the
center. Mainly used by people in Asia, South
America, Europe (excluding the UK, Ireland,
Cyprus, and Malta). Its voltage ranges between
220V to 240V and requires 2.5amps or less. Type
D The Type D electrical plug has large three
round pins in a triangular manner. In some
scenarios, Type M plugs are used besides Type D
plugs in large appliances. And as a result, there
are some sockets that work with both Type D and
Type M plugs. It is majorly used in India, Sri
Lanka, Nepal, etc. Voltage range 220V to 240V
and rated at 5 amps. Type E The Type E
electrical plug has two 4.8 mm round pins spaced
19 mm apart and a hole for the sockets male
earthing pin. The Type E plug has a round shape
and Type E socket has a round recess. The plugs
are rated at 16 amps and are used in France,
Belgium, Slovakia, Tunisia, etc. Type F There
are two 4.8 mm round pins in Type F electrical
plugs which are positioned 19 mm apart. They are
similar to Type E but have two earth clips
instead of female earth contact.
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The CEE 7/7 plug works with sockets E and F and
has grounding clips on both sides. Countries
where they are used Germany, Austria,
Netherlands, Spain, etc. Type F plugs are rated
16amps. Type G Type G electrical plug has three
rectangular blades in a triangular pattern and
has an integrated fuse. The earthing pin is 8mm
and 22.7 mm long. Whereas, line and neutral pins
are 4 by 6.35mm and 17.7mm long. Countries where
they are used UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta.
Malaysia, etc. Voltage range 220V to 240V Type
H This type of plug is unique in Israel and has
two flat pins in a V-shape and even has a
grounding pin. Currently, it is replaced with a
round pinned version. The holes in Type H sockets
are wide in the middle so they can adjust the
Type C plugs as well. Type Hs rating is 16 amps
and has a voltage range of 220V to 240V. Type
I The Type I has two flat pins in V-shape and
even has an earthing pin. The other version of
this plug has two flat pins that still exist.
The Australian plug can be useful with sockets in
China. Australias standard plug/socket rates
10amps. A standard 10 amp plug fits into a 15-amp
socket. But, you cannot use 15 amp in 10 amp. It
is used in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina,
China, etc. and has a voltage range of 220V to
240V. Type J This Type J plug has two round
pins and one grounding pin. Though the Type J
plug looks similar to the Brazilian Type N plug,
it is not compatible with Type N socket as the
earthing pin is away from the center line
compared to Type N. Additionally, Type C plugs
are compatible with Type J sockets. It rates 10
amps and can be used in Switzerland,
Liechtenstein, and Rwanda. Type K
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It has two round pins and a grounding pin. It is
similar to Type F. The only difference is that
Type F has grounding clips instead of grounding
pins. Countries they are used in are Denmark
and Greenland Type L It comes in two
variations 10 amps and 16 amps. The 10 amps
version has two round pins that are 4 mm thick
and spaced at 5.5 mm and has a grounding pin in
the middle. Whereas, the 16-amp version has two
round pins that are 5 mm thick, 8mm apart and
even have a grounding pin. It can be used in
Italy and its voltage range in 220V to 240V Type
M It has three round pins in a triangular
pattern and looks similar to Type D. But, its
pins are larger. They are useful for big
equipment in countries that use Type D plugs and
can be used in countries like Israel, South
Africa and have a voltage range of 220V to
240V. Type N There are two types in Type N
plug one is rated at 10 amps and the other one
is 20 amps. The 10-amp version has two round pins
that are 4 mm thick and it has a grounding pin.
Whereas, the 20-amp version is useful for heavier
appliances and has two round pins of 4.8 mm
diameter and a grounding pin. They are useful in
Brazil and have a voltage of 100V to 240V. Type
O This type is widely useful in Thailand and has
a voltage range of 220V to 240V. It is compatible
with socket type C and O. Final Words Having so
many different types and understanding these in
detail can be confusing. And when clubbed with
different types of power cords like IEC C13 power
cord or IEC C7 power cord and
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their usage, one can go crazy. But, this
information will definitely come to your rescue
when you are planning your next international
trip. SF Cable has all sorts of power cords,
USB cables, adapters, connectors, and more. So,
next time you are planning to travel from one
continent to another, you know where to look for
the right electronics and accessories. Source
https//www.sfcable.com/blog/around-world-iec-plug
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