Frequency and voltage supplied to most premises by country.
Mains electricity by country includes a list of countries and territories, with the plugs, voltages and frequencies they commonly use for providing electrical power to low voltage appliances, equipment, and lighting typically found in homes and offices. (For industrial machinery, see industrial and multiphase power plugs and sockets.) Some countries have more than one voltage available. For example, in North America, a unique split-phase system is used to supply to most premises that works by center tapping a 240 volts transformer. This system is able to concurrently provide 240 volts and 120 volts. Consequently, this allows homeowners to wire up both 240 V and 120 V circuits as they wish (as regulated by local building codes). Most sockets are connected to 120 V for the use of small appliances and electronic devices, while larger appliances such as dryers, electric ovens, ranges and EV chargers use dedicated 240 V sockets. Different sockets are mandated for different voltage or maximum current levels.
Voltage, frequency, and plug type vary, but large regions may use common standards. Physical compatibility of receptacles may not ensure compatibility of voltage, frequency, or connection to earth (ground), including plugs and cords. In some areas, older standards may still exist. Foreign enclaves, extraterritorial government installations, or buildings frequented by tourists may support plugs not otherwise used in a country, for the convenience of travellers.
Main reference source – IEC World Plugs
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) publishes a web microsite World Plugs[1] which provides the main source for this page, except where other sources are indicated. World Plugs includes some history, a description of plug types, and a list of countries giving the type(s) used and the mains voltage and frequency.
Although useful for quick reference, especially for travellers, IEC World Plugs may not be regarded as totally accurate, as illustrated by the examples in the plugs section below, and errors may exist.
Voltages
Voltages in this article are the nominal single-phase supply voltages, or split-phase supply voltages. Three-phase and industrial loads may have other voltages.
All voltages are root mean square voltage; the peak AC voltage is greater by a factor of , and the peak-to-peak voltage greater by a factor of
Types of power plugs and sockets used by country for portable appliances. A • B, A • C • D, M • E, C • F, C • G • H, C • I • J, C • K, C • L, C • N, C
The system of plug types using a single letter (from A to N) used here is from World Plugs, which defines the plug type letters in terms of a general description, without making reference to specific standards. Where a plug does not have a specific letter code assigned to it, then it may be defined by the style sheet number listed in IEC TR 60083.[2] Not all plugs are included in the letter system; for example, there is no designation for the plugs defined by the Thai National Standard TIS 116-2549, though some web sites refer to the three-pin plug described in that standard as "Type O".
Identification guide
Type A (NEMA 1–15 U.S. 2 pin) max 125 V AC, max rating 15 A, (GB1002 Chinese 2 pin) max 250 V AC, max rating 6 A or 10 A
Type B (NEMA 5–15 U.S. 3 pin) max 125 V AC, max rating 15 A and IEC standard 60906-2
Sockets for 220-240 V European type C plugs are typically available at hotels; some buildings modify voltage, so travellers are advised to check before plugging in. Type F are also available at some hotels.
Type C was removed from GB/T 1002-2021, but A/C hybrid sockets still appear in old installations. Line/neutral reversed compared to Argentinian Type I.
NEMA 5-20R outlets, which are similar to type B but have a T-shaped neutral slot, are sometimes used for higher current 120 V commercial equipments (up to 20 A). On the other hand, NEMA 10-50P outlets are sometimes used for 208 V and 240 V industrial equipments (up to 50 A).
(1) It is worth noting that the combination of a Type C, E or F plug with a Type D socket may often be workable; but it is unsafe to use.[36][37]Type C, E & F plugs/sockets are not accepted in the IS 1293 standard. The standard uses Type D sockets for 6 A current and Type M sockets for 16 A current.[38][39][40][41]
(2) From August 2015, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) began clamping down on the sale in the country of imported products with the Type C/E/F plug by pushing manufacturers and importers to comply with the IS 1293 standard.[42] In June 2022, BIS began enforcing the standard through mandatory certification of both imported and domestic products.[43]
(1) Nominal grid voltage according to regulation is 230/400 V,[44] but in practice, equipment with 220/380 V is more commonly used.
(2) Types C and F plugs are officially recognized by SNI 04-3892.1.1-2003.
(3) British Type G sockets are common in Riau Islands due to their close proximity to Singapore. British Type G sockets are often used as dedicated sockets for air conditioners as well.[citation needed]
Type G is the only general purpose outlet type in use in Ireland. Bathrooms may have shaver sockets. These accept 2.5 amp Europlug CEE 7/16 and UK type BS4573 plugs, which used on shavers and toothbrushes. They do not accept larger Type C plugs and general purpose outlets are generally banned in bathrooms / wet areas. Some hotels may also provide a Type F (Schuko) socket as a convenience for European visitors.
Type L uses two gauges of plug and socket. The 10 Amp version has pin spacing that is compatible with Europlug. The 16 Amp version uses wider pin spacing and larger pins. Hybrid outlets that accept both types are common and some also accept type F. NB: 16 Amp Type C plugs, such as CEE 7/17 commonly found on hairdryers, will not fit Type L outlets and need an adapter, or should be used with a Type F or hybrid Type L/F outlet.
Type E is extremely rare, but it may appear in some buildings, such as the University Carlos III of Madrid. Almost every Spanish plug would work on Type E sockets.
D mostly historical, nowadays used only for remotely switched lighting and similar. M historically used in domestic installations, now only for stage lighting (and there increasingly replaced with Ceeform). Bathrooms may have shaver supply units.
Majority of households use unearthed hybrid sockets that accept type A and C plugs. Hybrid sockets that accept type A, B and C plugs are sometimes used in commercial installations. Type F plugs are frequently plugged into hybrid sockets, even though no earth contact is made.
^"C" may indicate that buildings have three-pin sockets compatible with Europlugs, which also work with other plug types or that buildings have some or all two-pin European style sockets, similar to CEE 7/1, or that use of an adaptor is common practice. Not all two-pin European plugs are compatible with all two-pin European sockets; see AC power plugs and sockets § Compatibility.
^ abIEC/TR 60083 ed7.0: Plugs and socket-outlets for domestic and similar general use standardized in member countries of IEC. International Electrotechnical Commission, October 2015. This 421-page technical report describes many national standards for domestic plugs and sockets. The first edition was published in January 1957. The 7th edition was approved in December 2012 and was published on 29 October 2015.
^"Sri Lanka Sets National Standard for Plugs and Socket Outlets". Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019. Standardized on Type G; sale of non-compliant sockets is banned as of August 2018, and buildings must re-wire by August 2038.
^ abc"IEC World Plugs". IEC World Plugs. International Electrotechnical Commission. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
^Reglamentado por AEA 90364, IRAM 2001 & IEC 60083
^ ab"Standard Voltages". docs.cntd.ru. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2014. Document gost-29322-92 via Google Translate: "The nominal voltages of the existing 220/380 and 240/415 V networks should be gradually changed to the recommended value of 230/400 V. Until 2003, as a first stage, power supply companies in countries with a 220/380 V network should lead the voltage to The value of 230/400 V (GOST 29322-92 (IEC 38-83) Standard voltage%). Electricity supply companies in regions with 240/415 V network should also bring this voltage to the value 230/400 V (GOST 29322-92 (IEC 38-83) Standard voltage%). After 2003, the range of 230/400 V ± 10% should be reached. Then, the issue of reducing the limits will be considered."
^CSA Standard C22.2 No. 42-10: General use receptacles, attachment plugs, and similar wiring devices. Mississauga, Ontario: Canadian Standards Association. 2010. p. 1.
^CAN3-C235-83: Preferred Voltage Levels for AC Systems, 0 to 50 000 V. Rexdale (Toronto), Ontario: Canadian Standards Association. 1983. p. 9.
^C22.1-18: Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Standards Association. 2018. p. 243.
^I.S. 401, "Safety requirements for rewirable and non-rewirable 13A fused plugs for normal and rough use having insulating sleeves on line and neutral pins", NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland), (1997), Dublin
^Voltan NominalArchived 12 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Malaysian Energy Commission Notice (Nominal Voltage - 2008-01-01). Retrieved on 2019-02-11
^"International Mains Voltages"(PDF). International Mains Voltages - Pooley Inc. SEW Eurodrive. Archived(PDF) from the original on 6 May 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.