Electrical items

It is an unfortunate fact that electrical items evolved in different ways in different countries.

There are fifteen different plug/socket designs. The safest way is to plug the correct plug into the correct socket - electricity is dangerous, especially if mixed with water.

A

• USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan

• 2 pins

• not grounded

• 15 A

• normally 100-127 V

• can plug into a B socket

B

• USA, Canada, Mexico

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 15 A

• 100-127 V
  

C

• Europe, South America, Asia

• 2 pins

• not grounded

• 2.5 A, 10 A, 16 A

• 220-240 V

D

• India

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 6 A

• 220-240 V

• commonly plugged into C, E and F sockets but that is unsafe

E

• France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia

• 2 pins

• grounded

• 16 A

• 220-240 V

• can plug into C & F sockets

F

• Europe and Russia except UK and Ireland

• 2 pins

• grounded

• 16 A

• 220-240 V

• can plug into C & E sockets

G

• UK, Ireland, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore, Arabian peninsular

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 13 A

• 220-250 V

H

• Israel

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 16 A

• 220-240 V

• can plug into C sockets, commonly plugged into E and F sockets but that is unsafe

I

• Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina

• 2 or 3 pins

• 2 pins not grounded, 3 pin grounded

• 10 A

• 220-240 V

J

• Switzerland, Liechtenstein

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 10 A

• 220-240 V

• can plug into C sockets

K

• Denmark

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 16 A

• 220-240 V

• can plug into C sockets, commonly plugged into E and F sockets but that is unsafe

L

• Italy, Chile

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 10 A and 16 A

• 220-240 V

• 10 A can be plugged into C sockets

M

• South Africa

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 16 A

• 220-240 V

N

• Brazil, South Africa

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 10 A, 16 A and 20 A

• 100-240 V

• can plug into C sockets

O

• Thailand

• 3 pins

• grounded

• 16 A

• 220-240 V

• can plug into C sockets, commonly plugged into E and F sockets but that is unsafe

As already stated, you should use the correct plug and socket combination as electricity is dangerous.

If you want to use your own items in a country that uses a different system you will need an adaptor. This could be a single country/region adaptor or you might use one of the multiple location adaptors (the ones that look like complicated executive puzzles).

It is important to remember that an adaptor is doing one job - it allows a plug to join a socket. You may also need some sort of converter/transformer.

We all use these regularly - for our phones and computers. Part of that converting process is why those plug units get so hot. But you may find converters are also required for other items.

The commonest one we have encountered is for people using high-wattage items from low-voltage countries in high-voltage countries, such as a USA-based hairdryer being used in the UK. A converter is needed although we have heard that even when such things are used items sometimes don't work or even break due to overheating. That's a good moment to remind you to not leave any items unattended and plugged in.

Most hotels do have hairdryers, which will have plugs attached for the local system. It's often easier to leave your favourite item at home. For other small powerful items (such as hair straighteners) it might even be better to buy a cheap version locally.

And a couple of other notes on electrical items.

In higher voltage countries you won't find regular sockets in bathrooms - 240 volts and water are not good friends. The only sockets in there should be for lower voltage items such as shavers. Please don't try to use a 240-volt item near water!

For phones, cameras, and similar, there is an increasing trend for USB sockets to be available.