Try to imagine homo modernus without mobile phones, cameras, laptops, navigation systems and other gadgets? The answer is simple: it is impossible. Well, all these benefits of civilization cannot exist without “food”; they need recharging.
Therefore, beaches, parks, museums fade into the background, and the first thing a traveler should think about is what sockets and what voltage will be in the country where he is heading.
In most cases, the issue is resolved with the help of an adapter. But it can become useless if the voltage in the network is very different from the native, domestic one. For example, in Europe the voltage varies from 220 to 240 V; in the USA and Japan - from 100 to 127 V. If you don’t guess, you’ll burn your device.
Let's try to understand the intricacies of electrical engineering.

Voltage and frequency

By and large, only two levels of electrical voltage are used in the household network in the world:
European - 220 - 240 V and American - 100 - 127 V, and two AC frequencies - 50 and 60 Hz.

Voltage 220 - 240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz is used by most countries of the world.
Voltage 100 -127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz - in the USA, North, Central and, partially, countries South America, Japan, etc.
However, there are variations, for example, in the Philippines, 220 V and 60 Hz, and in Madagascar, on the contrary, 100 V and 50 Hz, even within the same country, depending on the region, there may exist different standards, for example, in different parts Brazil, Japan, Saudi Arabia, in the Maldives.

Therefore, before you set off, collect as much information as possible about circuits and signals, the types of sockets used in the country and the voltage in the network.

Electrical sockets

Sockets, plugs and connection options electrical network very much. But don’t be alarmed, there is no need to deal with everyone and look for an adapter for each one.
You need to remember (save, sketch, photograph) the 13 most used types of sockets, which are designated in Latin letters from A to M:

Type A - American electrical socket and plug: two flat parallel contacts. Used in most countries of North and Central America (USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala), in Japan, and almost everywhere where the mains voltage is 110 V.
Type B is a variation of the Type A connector, with an additional round ground pin. Typically used in the same countries as the Type A connector.
Type C - European socket and plug. It has two round parallel contacts (without grounding). This is the most popular socket in Europe, excluding England, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Used where the voltage is 220V.
Type D is the old British standard with three round contacts arranged in a triangle shape, with one of the contacts thicker than the other two, rated for maximum current. Used in India, Nepal, Namibia, Sri Lanka.
Type E is a plug with two round pins and a hole for the grounding pin, which is located in the socket of the socket. This type is now almost universally used in Poland, France and Belgium.
Type F - The standard is similar to Type E, but instead of a round ground pin there are two metal clamps on both sides of the connector. You will find such sockets in Germany, Austria, Holland, Norway, and Sweden.
Type G - British socket with three flat contacts. Used in England, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Note. This type of outlet often comes with a built-in internal fuse. Therefore, if after connecting the device it does not work, then the first thing to do is check the condition of the fuse in the outlet.
Type H - has three flat contacts or, in an earlier version, round contacts arranged in a V shape. Used only in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Not compatible with any other plug, designed for voltage values ​​of 220 V and current up to 16 A.
Type I - Australian socket: two flat contacts, as in the American type A connector, but they are located at an angle to each other - in the shape of the letter V. Also available in a version with a ground contact. Used in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina.
Type J - Swiss plug and socket. It is similar to the Type C plug, but has an additional grounding pin in the middle and two round power pins. Used in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Maldives.
Type K - Danish socket and plug, similar to European Type C, but with a ground pin located at the bottom of the connector. Used in Denmark, Greenland, Bangladesh, Senegal and the Maldives.
Type L - Italian plug and socket, similar to the European Type C socket, but with a round ground pin that is in the center, the two round power pins are arranged unusually in a line. Used in Italy, Chile, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Cuba.
Type M is an African socket and plug with three round pins arranged in a triangle shape, with the ground pin being clearly thicker than the other two. It is similar to the D-type connector, but has much thicker pins. The socket is designed to power devices with a current of up to 15 A. Used in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.

A few words about various types of adapters.

The easiest way to be ready to put the plug into the socket is to purchase an adapter, converter or transformer in advance (it depends on what your needs are). In most hotels, if you contact them, they will pick up the device you need at the reception.

Adapters - combine your plug with someone else's socket without affecting the voltage, the most versatile device.
Converters - provide conversion of local power grid parameters, but for a short time, up to 2 hours. Suitable for small (hiking) household appliances: hairdryer, razor, kettle, iron. Convenient on the road due to its small size and weight.
Transformers are more powerful, larger and more expensive voltage converters designed for continuous operation. Used for complex electrical appliances: computers, TVs, etc.

And at the end there is an easy life hack on how to use it English socket without adapter

Happy travels!

Sources: wikimedia.org, travel.ru, enovator.ru, personal experience.

An electrical plug is a special plug invention that is required to quickly and easily connect/disconnect goods from the power supply. It is worth clarifying that each device is connected directly to the network through an outlet, and this occurs through the use of a cord with a plug located at its end. As a rule, a special marking is applied to the body of each plug without exception; technical characteristics are indicated on it.

It is important to pay attention to the fact that the plugs are designed quite simply, and if the cord is connected correctly and strict rules are followed, they will perform their function efficiently and in the manner required.

If there is a need to urgently replace the plug on the wire, then you need to decide, first of all, on the specific type of device. It is important to understand the accuracy of the power consumption of an electrical appliance, as well as the need for grounding. In order for everything to go well and no problem situations arise, you need to take care of the serviceability and quality of the product.

Selecting quality electrical plugs

In the online store you can choose a socket of any color, an electrical plug, or a switch. Characteristics of modern products:

• reliability;
• quality;
• ease of use.

You can look at the straight version of the electric plug, as well as the angular model of the product. It is important to note that power plugs, sockets are the main part of the connection, which guarantees reliable connection of electrical appliances directly to the outlet. The choice of a specific type of product depends on the preferences of each interested customer. Technical parameters of the product: grounding; mains voltage; maximum load; rated current. All this suggests that these devices are distinguished not only by their quality, but also by their long service life. Rest assured that tested products are safe to use.

A large selection of modern and proven products attracts the attention of customers. Take a look at the company catalog, we have everything you need. Take advantage advantageous offers you can do it now. You can buy products wholesale and retail, at your request. If you have any questions, please contact the experienced specialists of our company.

DA Info Pro - March 6. When connecting any household appliance to the electrical network, we do not think about what types of electrical outlets there may be. However, you can get into some confusion when repairing electrical wiring in a house abroad or in an apartment in which foreigners lived before you. In addition, you may encounter some problems when traveling to another country when trying to insert an electrical plug into the network.

Electrical plugs vary in different countries. Therefore, the US Department of Commerce (ITA) adopted a standard in 1998 according to which different types of electrical outlets and plugs were assigned their own designation. We will write in detail about each type of electrical outlets.

Classification principle and main types

Total exists 15 types electrical outlets. The differences are in shape, size, maximum current, and the presence of a ground connection. All types of sockets are legally established in countries within the framework of standards and norms. Although the sockets in the image above may be similar in shape, they differ in the size of the sockets and prongs (plugs).

All types according to the American classification are designated as Type X.

In most countries, standards are determined by their history. For example, India, being a British colony until 1947, adopted its standard. The old standard can still be found in some hotels in the UK. Type D.

The image shows the types of electrical outlets in different countries around the world

Although polarity is not important for single-phase current connections, Type A and Type B sockets are polarized. This manifests itself in the fact that the plugs have different thickness- the position of the fork is important. In addition, in the USA, where they are actively distributed, they are used AC with a frequency of 60 Hz and a voltage of 127 V.

Development of different types of sockets and plugs

The widespread use of electricity in everyday life required the introduction of standards in the field of connecting electrical appliances. This would make electricity safer, devices more reliable and more versatile.

And many manufacturers of electrical equipment and devices in practice provide replacement cords for their devices. various types and countries.

Electrical sockets and plugs have evolved, including due to stricter safety requirements. So from Type D Type G appeared - the maximum current increased, additional protective insulating coatings appeared at the base of the plugs.

Some connector types are already obsolete. So they left everyday use American Type I, Soviet Type I, old Spanish sockets, plugs with cut plugs. In fact, many countries standardize sizes among themselves. And standardization committees are trying to make interstate standards official. The main such organization is the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

It turns out interesting when connecting electric stoves - the maximum power can reach 10 kW. In various countries, norms and regulations have been introduced to use separate species electrical outlets for such powerful devices. And in some places they are generally required to connect without an outlet in a fixed way.

To connect plugs of one type to a socket of another, adapters are usually sold. They are found both from one type of electrical outlet to another, and universal - from any to a specific one.

To connect all kinds of household appliances, lighting equipment and other devices that use electricity in its various forms, there is a plug connection. One of the components was an electrical outlet, the second was a plug. Rapid market development household appliances and electronics caused increased stress on home power networks. Various devices are available to protect against electric shock. Including grounding plug.

Types of plugs

The division is simple: collapsible or monolithic. Regardless of the form, the content and purpose are the same. Each plug connector is designed to connect the consumer to the supplier electric current- socket.

Non-separable devices are more popular due to their convenience and reliability. Elasticity allows you not to worry about breaking the wire in case of a jerk. The solidity of the structure protects against moisture getting inside, and therefore from short circuits and oxidation. A common fault is kinking at the base of the connector. Unlike collapsible forks, such products cannot be repaired.

Basic parameters

Each device has characteristics personality traits. But there are features that distinguish one fork from another. There are several such details:

• The number of contacts is two or three. For example, equipment intended for use in Europe has two pins, and American equipment has three.
• They have a wide variety of shapes: from flat to polygonal.
• Connection standard.

Grounded plug and its design

The safety factor is decisive in the production of electrical equipment. All developments and improvements are aimed at this. One such introduction was the grounding plug. IN Soviet years residential buildings did not have grounding loops, so ordinary person I had no idea about this voltage protection system. It was enough to disassemble the socket or plug and connect two wires.

Now all new technology equipped with connectors of the new standard with a third, grounding connector. New buildings are delivered in accordance with the requirements, with the arrangement of separately connected land. The main part of any plug is the contacts. They come in steel or copper, as well as electroplated made of zinc, tin or nickel.

There are three of them in an electrical plug with grounding:

Main standards

Since there is no single standard for powering electrical appliances on the planet, there are also many types of plug connections . All states use two different types power supply:

• A voltage of 110-127 V and a frequency of 60 hertz are used in American countries.
• 220-240 V, 50 hertz - European model.

In most countries, one type of voltage is accepted, but there are exceptions when both are used. There are 14 in total standard types connections plus special plugs for some equipment to prevent household voltage from entering it, for example, a wired radio connector.

Type A connector

Similar compounds are used in North and Central American countries and in Japan. The opposing pins in the Japanese plug are identical, in the American one - one is thicker to maintain polarity. The second name of the US standard Class II. It is interesting that an Asian plug will fit into an American socket without any problems, but doing the opposite without a special groove will not work.

Class B standard

Powerful home devices that consume current up to 15 amperes in the same countries have this type of connection. It is sometimes called Class I, and the international classifier gives the label NEMA 5-15. This is the same as the previous view, only with a ground pin. In the American wilderness, type A connectors are still found, but in most cases the entire territory switches to standard B.

Find a device for sale with a plug plugged into a socket according to outdated way it won't work. In old buildings, new devices with a sawed-off grounding contact are not uncommon.

Connector class C

Most of Europe used connectors of this standard. International name CEE 7 / 16. In the republics Soviet Union They used plugs that are still called Soviet today. In accordance with the latest requirements in the field of electrical safety, Europeans have mastered new standards. For ease of use of the old household appliances, its plugs fit into new sockets, but modern plugs do not fit into old ones.

Plugs of other standards

The following connection systems are divided into smaller groups. They are subject to their own regional methodology, but many of them are partially compatible. Depending on nationality, there is the following breakdown:

In order to avoid confusion in combinations, it is necessary to develop a unified standard and requirements for voltage and frequency of electric current. This is a matter of huge financial costs, because the energy systems of most countries will have to be redrawn.

Domestic devices

All devices manufactured in our country and officially imported must be equipped with standard C plugs in accordance with GOST 7396. 1-89. All data is applied to its body. This limit values current, frequency and voltage. At the moment, such plugs are divided into two groups:

• Fork by international classification CEE 7 / 16, or C 5. Contact diameter 4 millimeters. They are isolated from the housing and are designed for currents up to 6 amperes ( total load 1.3 kilowatts). No grounding is provided.
• Corresponding to category CEE 7/17, the plug belongs to class C 6. Its pins are thicker (4.8 millimeters) and the current it can withstand is higher - 10 amperes, which corresponds to 2.2 kilowatts of load. There is a ground contact.

You can take into account the devices in use with old, standard C1 - b, plugs. They are not equipped with ground and are equipped with pins 6 mm thick.

Such important element An electrical circuit cannot be connected without taking into account the characteristics of the device being connected and the capabilities of the plug itself. In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, choose better product with the ability to connect grounding, as more and more objects with a ready-made circuit and a three-pole socket are appearing in our country.

This article lists all types electrical plugs and sockets accepted for use in countries around the world.

This is the so-called American type and plugs. The plug has two flat parallel contacts. Used in most countries of North and Central America, particularly in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and Guatemala, and also in Japan. And also in countries where the mains voltage is 110 Volts.

Type B

Similar to type A connector, but with an additional round pin. Used in everyday life in the same regions of the world as Type A plugs and sockets.

Type C

This is our native European type of socket and plug. The plug has two round contacts parallel to each other. Its design does not have a third grounding contact. This is the most popular in European countries type and sockets except UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Used in everyday life where the mains voltage is 220 Volts.

Type D

This is the old British type with three round pins mounted in a triangle shape. In this case, one of the contacts is thicker than the other two. This type of sockets and plugs is used to maximize current in electrical networks in countries such as India, Nepal, Namibia and the island of Sri Lanka.

Type E

This type has an electrical plug with two round pins and a hole for the grounding contact, which is located in the socket of the socket. This type of socket plugs is currently used in Poland, France and Belgium.

Type F

Models of this type similar to Type E socket and plug models. Only instead of a round ground pin, two metal clips are used here on both sides of the connector. This type of sockets and plugs is usually used in Germany, Austria, Holland, Norway and Sweden.

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Type G

This is a typical British socket and its friend the three-blade plug. Used in apartments and private houses in the UK, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Note - sockets of this type of design are often available with a built-in internal fuse. Therefore, if after connecting the device it does not work, then the first thing you need to do is check the condition of the fuse in the socket, perhaps this is the problem.

Type H

This design of socket and plug connectors is used only in the State of Israel and the Gaza Strip. The socket and plug have three flat pins, or in the earlier version, round pins arranged in a B shape. Not compatible with any other plug. It is intended for networks with a voltage of 220 V and a current of up to 16 A.

Type I

This is the so-called Australian outlet. It, like an electrical plug, has two flat contacts, as in an American type A connector, but they are located at an angle to each other - in the shape of the letter B. There are such sockets and plugs with a grounding contact. These models are used in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina.

Type J

Swiss type electrical plugs and sockets. The plug is very similar to its Type C cousin, but has an additional ground pin in the middle and two round power pins. They are used not only in Switzerland, but also abroad - in Liechtenstein, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Maldives.

Type K

Danish electrical sockets and plugs. The type is similar to the popular European Type C socket, but additionally has a ground pin located at the bottom of the connector. It is the basic standard in the countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as in Bangladesh, Senegal and the Maldives.

Type L

Italian plug and socket. The model is similar to the popular European Type C, but has an additional round ground pin located in the center, the two round power pins are unusually arranged in a line. Such sockets and plugs are used in Italy, as well as Chile, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Cuba.

Type M

This is an African socket and plug with three round pins arranged in a triangle shape, with the ground pin being clearly thicker than the other two. It is similar to the D-type connector, but has much thicker pins. The socket is designed to power electrical devices with a current of up to 15 A. Widely used in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.