108: Plug and socket types around the world

Plugs and sockets are used to connect electrical equipment to power supplies. There are different types of power plugs and sockets around the world. Usually plug is a male connector and socket is a female connection.

Different parameters of electrical plugs and sockets are as following:

• Voltage:  e.g. 220 – 240 V / 100 – 127 V / 100 – 240 V
• Current: e.g. 2.5A / 5A /10A / 13A / 15A / 16A / 20A
• Shape: There are different positions for hot (phase), neutral and ground pins and slots.
• Size
• Plug connector and socket connection type

Different connector and connection types according to IEC:

• 2 pins / 2 slots
• Not earthed
• USA, Canada, Mexico and Japan
• 125V
• 15A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• USA, Canada and Mexico
• 125V
• 15A/20A

• 2 pins / 2 slots
• Not earthed
• Europe plug, Asian countries, Russia and FSU (Former soviet union)
• 250V
• 2.5A/6A/10A/16A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• India and South Africa
• 250V
• 5A/6A

• 2 pins / 2 slots
• Earthed
• France, Belgium, Poland, Czech republic and Slovakia
• 250V
• 16A

• 2 pins / 2 slots
• Earthed
• European countries and Russia
• 250V
• 16A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Malta, Singapore and Arabian Peninsula
• 250V
• 13A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• Israel, Gaza Strip and West Bank
• 250V
• 16A

• 2 pins (no earthed) or 3 pins (earthed) / 3 slots
• Australia, New Zealand, China and Argentina
• 250V
• 10A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• 250V
• 10A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• Denmark and Greenland
• 250V
• 13A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• Italy and Chile
• 250V
• 10A/16A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• GB, India and South Africa
• 250 V
• 15A/16A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• Brazil and South Africa
• 250V
• 10A/20A

• 3 pins / 3 slots
• Earthed
• Thailand
• 250V
• 16A

Related standards:

• IEC
• NEMA