Power grids around the world

[Article address: users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htmTransfer: 🔗]

In our time, imported equipment is no longer something out of the ordinary. In most cases, we just buy some kind of device that is already adapted to our power grids. But it happens that the equipment has to be bought abroad, or vice versa - to take it there. How will she work there? Will this not cause any difficulties? Power plugs, mains voltage where the equipment was purchased and where it will be used is a very serious issue.

Article address: users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm
Transfer: 🔗

Power grids around the world

Mains voltage, sockets, plugs, adapters and adapters - this is what every tourist who travels to an unfamiliar country should think about. This is especially true in today's world, when the vast majority of people travel with their personal electronic devices that require constant recharging - from cameras and mobile phones to laptops and navigation systems.

In many countries, the issue is solved simply - using an adapter. However, plugs and sockets are only "half the trouble". The voltage in the network can also be different from what is usual at home - and this is worth knowing and remembering, otherwise you can ruin the device or charger. For example, in Europe and most Asian countries, the voltage ranges from 220 to 240 volts. In America and Japan, it is half as much - from 100 to 127 volts. If an appliance rated for US or Japanese voltage is plugged into an outlet in Europe, it will burn out.

Voltage and frequency

Of 214 countries around the world, 165 countries use 220-240 V (50 or 60 Hz), and 39 countries use 100-127 V.

Europe 230 V, 50 Hz
Russia, Ukraine 230 V, 50 Hz
USA, Canada 120 V, 60 Hz
China 220 V, 50 Hz
Japan 100 V, 50/60 Hz

Voltage:

* There is no standard voltage in Brazil. In most parts of the country, 127 V is used, but in the northern regions there is a voltage of 220. There are also known cases of different voltage in the network within one region.

** The voltage in Japan is the same everywhere, but the frequency is different in different places. In the eastern part of Japan - 50 Hz, in the western part - 60 Hz.

*** Almost everywhere in Saudi Arabia, the voltage reaches 110 V. Voltage of 220 V can often be found in hotels.

Plugs and Plugs Types:

* Modern Argentina uses Type I plugs and sockets. However, Type C outlets can still be found in many older homes.

** Type G sockets are common in both North Cyprus and South Cyprus. In turn, type F sockets are found only in the houses of Northern Cyprus.

*** Type M plugs are installed in new homes in South Africa. However, Type C plugs are still common in southern Africa.

Sockets and Plugs

There are at least 13 different plugs and sockets around the world.
Type A

Used in North and Central America and Japan.
This type is designated as Class II. The plug has two parallel contacts. In the Japanese version, the contacts are the same size. In the American style, one end is slightly wider than the other. Devices with a Japanese plug can be used in American outlets, but the other way around will not work.

Type B

Used in North and Central America and Japan.
This type is designated as Class I. International designation of American type B - NEMA 5-15, Canadian type B - CS22.2, n ° 42 (CS = Canadian Standard). The maximum current is 15 A. In America, type B is very popular, in Japan it is much less widespread. Often, residents of old houses with type A sockets, purchasing new modern electrical appliances with type B plugs, simply "bite off" the third grounding contact.

Type C

Used in all European countries with the exception of Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta.
International designation - CEE 7/16. The plug consists of two contacts with a diameter of 4.0-4.8 mm at a distance of 19 mm from the center. The maximum current is 3.5 A. Type C is an obsolete version of the newer types E, F, J, K and L which are now used in Europe. All Type C plugs fit perfectly with new outlets.

Type D

Used in India, Nepal, Namibia and Sri Lanka.
International designation - BS 546 (BS = British Standard). It is an obsolete British-style plug that was used in the metropolis until 1962. The maximum current is 5 A. Some D-type sockets are compatible with D and M plugs. D-type sockets can still be found in old houses in Great Britain and Ireland.

Type E

Mainly used in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Tunisia and Morocco.
International designation - CEE 7/7. The maximum current is 16 A. Type E is slightly different from CEE 7/4 (type F), which is common in Germany and other central European countries. All Type C plugs fit perfectly with Type E outlets.

[Type F]

Type F

Mainly used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Spain and Eastern Europe.
International designation CEE 7/4. This type is also known as "Schuko". The maximum current is 16 A. All type C plugs are ideally suited to type F sockets. The same type is used in Russia (in the USSR it was designated as GOST 7396), the only difference is that the diameter of the contacts adopted in Russia is 4 mm, in while in Europe contacts with a diameter of 4.8 mm are most often used. Thus, Russian plugs fit easily into wider European sockets. But the plugs of electronic devices made for Europe do not fit into Russian sockets.

Type G

Used in the UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cyprus and Malta.
International designation - BS 1363 (BS = British Standard). The maximum current is 32 A. Tourists from Europe, visiting the UK, use conventional adapters.

Type H

Used in Israel.
This connector is identified by SI 32. The Type C plug is easily compatible with Type H receptacle.

Type I

Used in Australia, China, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina.
International designation - AS 3112. Maximum current - 10 A. Sockets and plugs of types H and I do not fit together. The outlets and plugs used by people in Australia and China fit well together.

Type J

Used only in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
International designation - SEC 1011. Maximum current - 10 A. Relative to type C, the type J plug has one more contact, and the socket has another hole. However, Type C plugs will fit Type J receptacles.

Type K

Used only in Denmark and Greenland.
International designation - 107-2-D1. The Danish outlet accepts CEE 7/4 and CEE 7/7 plugs as well as type C sockets.

Type L

Used only in Italy and very rarely in North African countries.
International designation - CEI 23-16 / BII. The maximum current is 10 A or 16 A. All type C plugs fit L type sockets.

Type M

Used in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.
Type M is very similar to Type D. Most Type M outlets are compatible with Type D plugs.

Adapters, converters and transformers

In order for the plug from your device to be inserted into an outlet in a particular country in the world, an adapter or adapter is often needed. There are universal adapters on sale. In addition, in good hotels, an adapter can usually be requested at the hotel at the reception.

Adapters do not affect the voltage and flow of electricity. They only help to align one type of plug with another. Universal adapters are most often sold in duty free shops. Also, in hotels, you can often ask the maids for an adapter for temporary use.

Converters able to provide a short-term transformation of local parameters of the power grid. For example, they are convenient on the road, where they allow you to use a hair dryer, iron, electric shaver, kettle or small fan just as long as you need it. At the same time, they are small in size, and due to the weak hardware base, it is not recommended to use them for more than one and a half to two hours in a row, since overheating of the converter can lead to breakdown of the electrical appliance using it.

Transformers - more powerful, larger and more expensive voltage converters capable of maintaining a long-term operating mode. Transformers can be used without restrictions for such "serious" electrical devices as radios, audio players, chargers, computers, televisions, etc.

Most of modern technology, including laptops and chargers, is adapted for use in both networks - 110 and 220 V - without using a transformer. You only need the appropriate plug and socket adapters.