Types of electrical sockets and plugs in different countries. List of plug standards

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 from country to country. 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 thicknesses - the position of the plug is important. In addition, in the USA, where they are widely used, alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz and a voltage of 127 V is used.

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 for different 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. This is how the American Type I, the Soviet Type I, the old Spanish sockets, and plugs with cut plugs went out of everyday use. 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. Various countries have introduced rules and regulations to use a separate type of electrical sockets 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.

We purchase a lot of electrical household appliances of varying power, made in EU countries, whose power cords end with European-type electrical plugs. It is known that they differ not only in the diameter of the metal part from our domestic ones, but also in their shape, greater potential power and the presence of one or two grounding contacts. But we must not forget about the so-called “Soviet” type, which is still widely used in Russia and the CIS countries along with electrical appliances of past times; therefore, we will begin a brief review of European-type electrical plugs with them.

One of the most common plug designs in the USSR, designed for 220V, 6A

This type, called Soviet C1/B, is still produced in our homeland and in terms of its qualities it can be equated to the European type CEE 7/16 Europlug. Electrical plugs of this type are designed for a current of 6 A and 10 A at a voltage of 220 - 250 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. They do not have grounding terminals, but they have one advantage, which is that their design is collapsible, which means that if the cable is damaged, you can replace it, leaving the socket the same and without spending money on a new one. The diameter of the pins in the Soviet plug is 4 mm.

The next type of electrical plug, which also has pins with a diameter of 4 mm and which is widespread in European countries except England, Ireland and Malta, belongs to the CEE 7/16 Europlug class. It is used when operating low-power household electrical appliances, without grounding contacts and is designed for a current of up to 2.5 A at a voltage of 1100 - 220 V. Compatible with classes C, C1, E, F.

Type C6 (in Europe CEE 7/17) we have a “Euro plug”, with round pins (knives) with a diameter of 4.8 mm

But the French type of electrical plug has metal pins with a diameter of 4.8 mm and one grounding contact. Widely used in France, Poland and Belgium. Used for medium-power appliances such as vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, water heaters, etc. This type of plug can withstand current up to 16 A at a voltage of 220 - 250 V. Compatible with sockets of type C, E, F, but with Soviet type C1 /B are incompatible and can only be used with an adapter.

For electrical appliances of medium and high power consumption, the European German type of plugs “Schuko” CEE 7/4 is used, which is widespread in Germany, Sweden, Norway and Holland.

CEE 7/4 Schuko plug and Schuko socket

Designed for a current of up to 16 A, in some versions up to 25 A at a voltage of 220 - 250 V, has a pin diameter of 4.8 mm, one grounding pin and is compatible with sockets C and F. According to its characteristics, “Schuko” CEE 7/4 Suitable for French type E CEE 7/5 plugs.

There is also a hybrid type of E/F electrical plugs - CTT 7|7, combining German and French quality. Very common in European Union countries when using medium and high power consumption devices. They have a grounding contact and are suitable for type C, E and F sockets with a metal pin diameter of 4.8 mm.

Network adapters for plugs and sockets are divided into two main types:

• for equipment brought from abroad, the plugs of which do not fit into Russian standard sockets;
• for sockets that will be needed in another country to connect devices with Russian standard plugs.

Almost all adapters are manufactured by ANTEL. Available in any quantity!
We sell socket adapters to organizations and individuals - we work for cash and also by bank transfer.

Those who travel to different countries often encounter incompatible plugs on electrical appliances with sockets. Therefore, more experienced tourists foresee such a situation in advance and put one or two adapters into the socket in their traveling suitcase - a simple device into which our plug is inserted, and the device itself is inserted into a “foreign” socket. And often the opposite happens: equipment brought from abroad does not want to be plugged into our outlet. And the voltage is suitable, and everything else is fine, but the pins on the plug are not the same or are not positioned correctly. There are more than a dozen different standards for household sockets in the world, some of them fit together without anything, but mostly for such cases adapters are needed. ANTEL has carefully studied this issue and produces adapters for sockets for almost all occasions.

A little information on the types of socket adapters:
- 2 flat parallel pins, used in North America, Canada, Japan, Cuba, etc.,
- 2 flat parallel pins and a third round pin in the middle,
— 2 round pins (Russian standard),
adapter type “D” - “old British” - three round pins,
adapter type “E” - there are two round pins on the plug and a hole for grounding,
adapter type “F” - a usual socket for us with grounding spring contacts,
- three thick flat pins, used in England, Singapore, Cyprus, etc.,
adapter type “H” - three flat pins diverging from the center at an angle of 120 degrees,
- two flat pins rotated 60 degrees, or three pins (Australian standard);
- three round thin pins, the central pin is slightly offset, used in Switzerland, etc.,
adapter type “K” - there are two round pins on the plug and a thick grounding socket,
- three round thin pins in one line, used in Italy, etc.,
— two thick pins and a third central one even thicker, used in India, South Africa, etc.,
adapter type “N” - two flat pins at an angle of 120 degrees.

Socket adapters can be simple, designed to connect one type of connector to another. And there are also combined universal adapters (for example, the so-called) designed for compatibility of several combinations of sockets and plugs at once. When choosing an adapter for a socket, you need to pay attention to the quality of the contact group: the plug should fit into the connector with force, sit tightly in the socket and be pulled out with force. You also need to pay attention to the permissible current load. If you have any doubts about whether the plug adapter will withstand your load, contact our specialists for advice; all contact information can be found on our page “”.

When we talked about this, we briefly discussed the types of devices. There is a wide range of types and types of electrical outlets, however, in domestic conditions, plug-in models are most often used. Next, we will tell you what types of products there are in Russia and other countries of the world.

Type of connectors

The most basic difference between the types of products is how the connectors for connecting the electrical plug are arranged. The fact is that each state has its own connector standards. You can clearly see the types of outlets in all countries of the world in the photo below:

Description of each type:

• A - American. In addition to the USA, this version is used in Japan. There is no ground contact.
• B – American model, with grounding.
• C – European standard. The Euro socket is used not only in European countries, but also in the CIS, including Russia. The only drawback of this variety is the lack of grounding. However, it should be noted that there is no grounding contact on Soviet C5 models, but it is present in the Euro version of C6.
• D - this type of electrical sockets can be found in Britain.
• E – French standard.
• F – Euro socket with grounding. A modern type of execution, which is most often used in European countries, as well as the CIS.
• G – English version.
• H – Israeli.
• I – Australian.
• J – Swiss.
• K – Danish.
• I - the original type of execution, which is used in Italy.
• M – South Africa.

So you found out what kind of sockets there are in different countries of the world. Next, we will dwell in more detail on the types of electrical plug products type C and F.

Specifications

As you already know, the operating voltage in the network can be 220-240 or 380 Volts; in America and Japan it is customary to use a voltage of 100-127 Volts. 220 V Euro sockets are used to connect electrical appliances with a power of no more than 3.5 kW. This is due to the fact that power sockets can withstand a current not exceeding 16A. It is permissible to connect a TV, refrigerator and other not very powerful household appliances to these types of electrical accessories.

Industrial three-phase sockets are designed for a current of 32 A and therefore are used in everyday life to connect powerful equipment.

Electrical sockets are also designed for an alternating current frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. In Russia and the CIS countries, the first type of execution is used.

Installation type

The next type of electrical sockets is the housing version. There are overhead products that are used for and recessed ones - for installing wiring in a hidden way.

The latter type, in turn, can be mounted not only on the wall, but even on the floor or countertop in the kitchen. Floor-standing household devices for connecting equipment look like this:

A separate type of electrical outlets is portable. A very convenient option, however, it has not yet gained much popularity in Russia.

Additional features

Also, electrical outlets can be divided into types depending on the additional functions they have. For example:

1. Waterproof. Euro sockets from 44 and higher have a cover that will protect the connectors from water ingress. This type of socket is most often used in bathrooms.
   
2. Model C - cuts off power when a dangerous electrical leak is detected.
3. Model with timer. Using this type of electrical accessories, you can simply set the time after which the power will turn off. Very convenient for connecting heaters that do not have their own shutdown timer.
   
4. Power socket with wattmeter. An original solution that allows you to see how much electricity a connected device consumes. The display changes depending on the power consumption: blue is the minimum power consumption, red is the maximum.
   
5. With fork ejector. If you often do this, we recommend choosing a special model with an ejector that will help you carefully pull the electrical plug out of the sockets.
   
6. Euro socket with backlight. This type of product is very convenient because in the dark you can easily find where to connect your phone charger or other device.
7. Model with USB output. An excellent solution for recharging mobile devices.
   
8. GSM and