Sockets in the world. Types and types of sockets: from classic designs to modern multifunctional models. Technical characteristics of sockets: voltage and frequency
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 frequency values alternating current- 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, countries of Northern, Central and, in part, 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 be 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.
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 Northern and Central America(USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala), in Japan, and almost everywhere where the network 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 - old British standard with three round contacts installed in a triangle shape, with one of the contacts thicker than the other two, designed to carry maximum current. Used in India, Nepal, Namibia, Sri Lanka.
Type E is a plug with two round pins and a hole for the ground 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 a socket American type Ah, but they are located at an angle to each other - in the shape of the letter V. There is also a version with a grounding 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 is a Danish socket and plug, similar to the 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 kinds 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 (camping) household appliances: hair dryer, 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, televisions, 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.
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 contacts parallel to each other. 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. There is no third grounding contact in its design. 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 a 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 are similar to models of Type E sockets and plugs. 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 generally 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. 
Note to tourists, migrants and hunters of seasonal discounts in foreign shopping centers. Having harnessed the power of electricity a long time ago, contented humanity has not been able to really agree on uniform standards for its operation - in the 21st century it is reckless to travel without a set of adapters.
Regular electrical outlets in different countries have various designs. If you have ever traveled outside your country, then you have probably noticed this feature. This difference is due to many factors, some of which we will reveal below.
Why are the types of sockets different?
First of all, the process of development of electrical networks occurred unevenly around the world, which naturally affected the shape of the sockets produced. Also, one should not lose sight of the fact that in different corners people used on our planet to generate energy different kinds electric generators, and this also had an impact on the design of the connectors. In addition, the shape of the sockets also depended on the companies involved in the installation of electrical networks in a particular region, since these companies supplied equipment created by them and compatible specifically with their networks.
Some of the old connectors, in their corrected form, are still used in some countries, but over time they decided to abandon many because they did not meet safety standards. Moreover, common standards not even within power grids - the current frequency and voltage may be different in different regions.
For example, in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Jamaica, Cuba and a number of other countries, a voltage of 100–127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz is used, while the rest use a voltage of 220–240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. At the same time, the design of the connectors is different even if the parameters are the same.
Basically, there are 12 types of rosettes (another classification has 15). Let's consider their characteristic features:
American connectors: types A and B
From the name itself you can understand that these sockets were developed in the USA. Accordingly, they are common in Central, North and South (partially) America, as well as in Japan. Connector B differs from A by the presence of an additional hole for the ground pin.
European connector: types C and F
The most familiar socket options to us. As in the previous case, they differ in the presence of a separate hole for grounding. Distributed throughout the CIS, many EU countries, Algeria and Egypt.
British connector: G type
The peculiarity of the arrangement of sockets in Great Britain was due to the fact that during the Second World War the country experienced a copper shortage. For this reason, a plug had to be developed with three plugs and a small copper contact.
In addition to Great Britain, type G was also common in countries that were previously under the influence of the British Empire (Singapore, Cyprus, Malta, etc.).
Australian Connector: Type I
This socket design can be found in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati and the Cook Islands. The connector is also used in some regions of China.
Israeli connector: type H
This type of socket is common only in Israel and Palestine. The plugs may have different plugs - be round or flat - but both options are compatible with this connector.
Danish connector: K type
Used in Denmark, Maldives and Bangladesh. It features the most “friendly” design.
All presented variety of connectors can be overcome by appropriate adapters purchased in advance. This will protect the traveler from unnecessary hassle when visiting another country.
It’s no surprise that universal chargers are held in such high esteem by startup fans. Major manufacturers of consumer electronics have their own answer to the age-old question - Apple, for example, produces its own World Travel Adapter Kit. At the same time, you can find it on AliExpress.
Based on materials from yablyk
