Fifteen plug types cover the whole world. Find the plug your destination country uses, its mains voltage and frequency, and the step up / step down transformer — or voltage stabilizer — that keeps imported equipment running safely.
There are 15 world plug socket types, and every country runs on one of two mains voltages. This guide shows which plug type each country uses, its voltage and frequency, whether a plug adapter is enough or you need a voltage converter — and the step up / step down transformer that keeps imported equipment running safely.
plug types
mains voltages
Hz worldwide
transformer range
Select a type to jump to its full specification, the countries that use it and the conversion equipment it implies.
Every market runs on one of two voltage bands. The plug tells you the country; the voltage tells you whether you need to step up or step down.
North America, Japan, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Plugs A et B. Equipment built for this band needs a step up transformer where the local supply is 220–240 V.
Europe, the UK, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and China. Plugs C à N. Equipment built for this band needs a transformateur abaisseur on a 110–127 V supply.
Transformers are rated in VA, not watts, and motors and compressors draw three to four times their running current at start-up. Size on the worst case rather than the steady state, then add headroom.
| Type de charge | Typical power | Recommended transformer | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED / electronic device | 50–200 W | 150–300 VA | Start-up inrush is low |
| Laptop, TV, small appliance | 100–300 W | 300–500 VA | Add 30% headroom |
| Refrigerator / freezer | 150–400 W | 600–1200 VA | Motor start-up draws 3–4× running current |
| Air conditioner (1–1.5 HP) | 700–1200 W | 2000–3000 VA | Compressor surge dominates |
| Pump / compressor | 500–1500 W | 2000–4500 VA | Size on locked-rotor current |
| Power tools, welder | 1000–3000 W | 3000–6000 VA | Duty cycle matters |
| Restaurant / bakery equipment | 2000–5000 W | 5000–12000 VA | Continuous load — do not overload |
| CNC / machine panel | 2000–10000 W | 5000–20000 VA | Whole-panel supply with stable output |
Our DT/ST series covers 100 VA to 10 kVA with US, EU, UK and AU socket options; larger panel and industrial ratings are built in the TC/THG series. Send us the appliance nameplate and the destination country and we will size it for you.
Specifications, grounding, current rating, socket compatibility and the conversion equipment each type implies.
2 flat parallel pins, ungrounded
Where it is used: United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and most of Central America and the Caribbean
North American 110 V equipment moved to a 220–240 V country needs a 220 V to 110 V step down transformer.
2 flat pins + round earth pin
Where it is used: United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan (grounded appliances)
Grounded 110 V appliances need a step down transformer with earth continuity — specify a DT/ST series unit when ordering.
2 round pins (Europlug), ungrounded
Where it is used: Most of Europe, Russia, Turkey, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Chile, Peru
Type C is the universal 220 V plug. Most 220 V step up transformers and stabilizers ship with a C-compatible inlet — see voltage stabilizers.
3 round pins, old British BS 546
Where it is used: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and parts of West Africa
India and Nepal run 230 V. Imported 110 V appliances need a 230 V to 110 V step down transformer sized on the appliance nameplate.
2 round pins, earth pin in the socket
Where it is used: France, Belgium, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Tunisia, Morocco, Madagascar
French sockets accept C and F plugs. For 110 V appliances use a 220 V to 110 V step down transformer.
2 round pins, side earth clips (Schuko)
Where it is used: Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey
The European 220 V standard. US 110 V appliances need step down conversion — match the transformer socket to Type F for plug-and-play.
3 rectangular pins (BS 1363)
Where it is used: United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kenya, Bangladesh, Pakistan
UK and Gulf markets run 230 V. US 110 V equipment needs a transformateur abaisseur; specify a Type G outlet so no adapter is needed.
3 flat pins in a V arrangement (SI 32)
Where it is used: Israel, Palestine
Israel runs 230 V / 50 Hz with a unique flat-pin standard — we build to Type H on request. See ODM ET OEM.
2 or 3 flat pins, angled (AS/NZS 3112 / GB 2099)
Where it is used: Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
Australia, China and Argentina all run 220–240 V. Imported 110 V gear needs 220 V to 110 V conversion.
3 round pins in a triangle (SEV 1011)
Where it is used: Switzerland, Liechtenstein
Swiss sockets take Type C and Type J. US 110 V appliances need a step down transformer; Type J outlet available to order.
3 round pins (DS 60884-2-D1)
Where it is used: Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands, and parts of West Africa
Denmark runs 230 V / 50 Hz. Grounded Type K plugs need a K-compatible socket — we can fit one on request.
3 round pins in a line (CEI 23-50)
Where it is used: Italy, San Marino, Vatican City, Chile, Uruguay, Libya, Syria, Ethiopia
Italian 10 A and 16 A sockets differ in pin spacing — confirm before ordering. 110 V appliances need a step down transformer.
3 large round pins (BS 546, 15 A)
Where it is used: South Africa (older installations), India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia
Heavy 15 A legacy standard. For 110 V imports use a step down transformer rated well above the appliance load.
3 large round pins, South African standard
Where it is used: South Africa (current standard)
South Africa runs 230 V / 50 Hz. A Type M2 outlet can be fitted on request so imported equipment plugs straight in.
3 round pins (IEC 60906-1 / NBR 14136)
Where it is used: Brazil, South Africa
Brazil uses 127 V or 220 V depending on the region — check the local supply before specifying a step up or step down transformer. Ask us to size it.
Tell us the appliance nameplate, the destination country and the quantity. We reply within 24 hours with the correct voltage converter rating and the matching socket.
The markets we ship to most often. If your country is not listed, send us the destination and we will confirm the plug standard and voltage.
| Country / region | Plug type | Tension | Fréquence | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz | 100–127 V appliances; needs step up for 220 V imports |
| Canada | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz | Same as US |
| Mexico | A, B | 127 V | 60 Hz | Grounded 3-pin common |
| Japan | A, B | 100 V | 50 / 60 Hz | Two grid frequencies — 100 V is the lowest mains in the world |
| Brazil | C, N | 127 / 220 V | 60 Hz | Voltage varies by city — verify before ordering |
| United Kingdom | G | 230 V | 50 Hz | BS 1363 fused plug |
| Germany / France / Spain / Netherlands | C, E, F | 230 V | 50 Hz | Schuko and French sockets both accept Type C |
| Italy | C, F, L | 230 V | 50 Hz | 10 A and 16 A Type L differ in pin spacing |
| Switzerland | C, J | 230 V | 50 Hz | Type J grounded |
| Denmark | C, K | 230 V | 50 Hz | Type K grounded |
| Russia / Ukraine / Kazakhstan | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz | Schuko standard |
| Turkey | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz | European standard |
| India | C, D, M | 230 V | 50 Hz | Wide frequency of voltage swings — stabilizer often required |
| Pakistan | C, D | 230 V | 50 Hz | Severe voltage fluctuation, 150–270 V common |
| Bangladesh | A, C, D, G, K | 220 V | 50 Hz | Mixed legacy standards in the same building |
| Sri Lanka / Nepal | D, M | 230 V | 50 Hz | Old British 3-pin standard |
| Nigeria | D, G | 230 V | 50 Hz | Frequent brownouts and surges |
| Kenya / Tanzania / Ghana | G | 240 V | 50 Hz | UK standard |
| Egypt / Morocco / Algeria | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz | European standard |
| South Africa | C, M, M2, N | 230 V | 50 Hz | Three standards coexist |
| Saudi Arabia / UAE / Qatar | G | 220–230 V | 60 Hz | UK standard, 60 Hz — check motor-driven loads |
| Israel | C, H | 230 V | 50 Hz | Type H flat-pin standard |
| Indonesia | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz | Voltage drop common in industrial estates |
| Thailand / Vietnam / Philippines | A, B, C / A, C, G | 220 V | 50 / 60 Hz | Philippines is 60 Hz — a frequency difference, not just voltage |
| Malaysia / Singapore / Hong Kong | G | 230 V | 50 Hz | UK standard |
| China | A, C, I | 220 V | 50 Hz | Type I is the modern standard |
| Australia / New Zealand | I | 230 V | 50 Hz | AS/NZS 3112 |
| Colombia | A, B | 110 V | 60 Hz | One of the few 110 V markets in South America |
| Chile / Argentina / Peru | C, L / I, C / A, C | 220 V | 50 / 60 Hz | Peru is 60 Hz |
Transformers are rated in VA, not watts. Motors and compressors draw several times their running current at start-up, so the VA rating must be sized on the worst case, not the steady state.
| Type de charge | Typical power | Recommended transformer | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED / electronic device | 50–200 W | 150–300 VA | Start-up inrush is low |
| Laptop, TV, small appliance | 100–300 W | 300–500 VA | Add 30% headroom |
| Refrigerator / freezer | 150–400 W | 600–1200 VA | Motor start-up draws 3–4× running current |
| Air conditioner (1–1.5 HP) | 700–1200 W | 2000–3000 VA | Compressor surge dominates |
| Pump / compressor | 500–1500 W | 2000–4500 VA | Size on locked-rotor current |
| Power tools, welder | 1000–3000 W | 3000–6000 VA | Duty cycle matters |
| Restaurant / bakery equipment | 2000–5000 W | 5000–12000 VA | Continuous load — do not overload |
| CNC / machine panel | 2000–10000 W | 5000–20000 VA | Whole-panel supply with stable output |
Our DT/ST series covers 100 VA to 10 kVA with US, EU, UK and AU socket options. Larger panel and industrial ratings are built in the TC/THG series.
In several of our largest markets the problem is not the wrong voltage — it is voltage that will not stay still.
Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, parts of India, Iraq, Yemen, Myanmar and Indonesia’s industrial estates routinely swing from 150 V to 270 V on a 230 V nominal supply.
In that situation a step down transformer simply passes the swing through to the appliance. The correct architecture is stabilizer first, transformer second — or a wide-input stabilizer that outputs a stable 220 V directly.
Appliance importers who need 220 V to 110 V conversion for North American stock sold into 230 V markets, with the right socket already fitted.
CNC machines, pumps and production lines imported from a 380–480 V country into a 220 V market, or the reverse — whole-panel supply with stable output.
Restaurants, bakeries, hotels and salons running US or European equipment on local mains, where downtime is expensive.
Transformers and stabilizers built to your brand, your socket standard and your packaging — see ODM ET OEM.
Mixed ranges shipped in one consignment with one set of documents. See our solutions page.
No. A plug adapter only changes the physical pin shape — it does not change voltage or frequency. A 110 V appliance plugged into a 230 V socket through an adapter will be destroyed. Adapters are only safe when the appliance is dual-voltage (100–240 V) and the frequency matches.
Read the appliance nameplate first. Step down = 220–240 V mains, 110–120 V appliance. Step up = 110–120 V mains, 220–240 V appliance. The nameplate voltage, not the plug shape, decides.
Yes. Tell us the destination country and we will fit the matching socket — Type B (US), Type F (EU), Type G (UK), Type I (AU/CN), Type D or M (India/South Africa) — so imported equipment plugs in directly without a separate adapter.
In markets such as Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and parts of India, a transformer alone is not enough — the input itself swings from 150 V to 270 V. Combine the transformer with an automatic voltage stabilizer (servo motor type for ±1% accuracy, relay type for cost-sensitive loads) or use a wide-input stabilizer as the first stage.
For resistive loads such as heaters, lamps and most switch-mode electronics, no. For motor-driven loads — pumps, compressors, turntables, clocks — 50/60 Hz mismatch changes the speed and can overheat the motor. Transformers cannot convert frequency; that requires a frequency converter, which is a different product. Tell us the load type and we will advise.
A minimum of 30% for resistive loads, 2–3× for appliances with motors or compressors because of start-up inrush. When in doubt, send us the appliance nameplate and we will size it for you at no cost.
Yes. We build step up / step down transformers from 100 VA to 10 kVA in the DT/ST series and up to much larger ratings in the TC/THG series, variable transformers (variac) from 0.5 kVA to 5 kVA, and stabilizers from 0.5 kVA to 2000 kVA. Mixed-carton shipments and OEM branding are both available.
No. Type C (Europlug) has two round pins and no earth connection, so it is only used on double-insulated appliances up to 2.5 A. Type F (Schuko) has the same two round pins but adds side earth clips and is rated to 16 A. A Type C plug fits a Type F socket, but a Type F plug will not fit a Type C socket.
No. A plug adapter only changes the pin shape. US mains is 120 V, so a 220–240 V appliance needs a step up transformer rated at least 1.3× its nameplate wattage — or 2–3× for anything with a motor or compressor. Using an adapter alone will under-power the appliance and can damage the motor.
Type G (BS 1363, three rectangular pins with a fuse) is used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kenya, Pakistan and Bangladesh — all on 230 V, with the Gulf states on 60 Hz.
Send us the appliance nameplate, the destination country and the quantity. We will confirm the plug type, the mains voltage, the transformer rating and the socket we will fit — within 24 hours.
