American socket and plug. Adapter from American to European outlet. Types and types of sockets: from classic designs to modern multifunctional models

Sockets in the USA are so different from Russian sockets that without an adapter (adapter), you will not be able to use American sockets. When going, it is important to take into account the features of American outlets - you can ask the hotel in advance or ask what outlets they have. There is also a difference in voltage, so difficulties may arise when using household appliances and charging mobile devices. For example, some tourists note that due to electrical outlets in the US, their hair dryer does not work as powerfully or their phone charges more slowly.

What are the outlets in the USA?

The most important thing a tourist needs to know is that the outlets in the USA are different, not the same as in Russia. They are very different, and you won’t be able to insert a domestic plug into them. Many have seen in Hollywood films what electrical outlets look like in the USA, but let’s refresh our memory:

As you can see, the outlets in the USA are completely different, not the same as in Russia, Ukraine, or Europe. They differ in that it is impossible to insert a standard Russian plug into them. Instead of standard round slots, two rectangular holes are used. It’s already clear what sockets look like in the USA, but if the socket is different, then the plug is different? Yes, the plug in the US also looks different, look at the following photo:

Therefore, if you want to use the equipment that you took with you from Russia, then you will definitely need an adapter. Since the Russian socket plug will not fit American sockets.

How many volts are there in American outlets?

The standard voltage in the USA is 100 Volts, while in Russia, all equipment is designed for 220-240 V. This explains why Russian or Ukrainian equipment behaves so strangely in the USA. Volts, or voltage, in the American power grid are different from those in Russia. But the grounding principle is no different. There are sockets with grounding, and the ground looks the same as in European sockets. Pay attention to the 3rd hole in the socket, it is the ground:

Before using your hair dryer, laptop, charger, etc., it makes sense to study the technical characteristics of the device in detail - perhaps the existing devices will work. But there is also equipment that is highly dependent on voltage and can fail.

Is it possible to use equipment from Russia?

If you are traveling as a tourist, then yes, in 99% of cases you can use equipment from Russia in the USA. The main thing is to buy an adapter. If you plan to move to the USA for a long period of time, then it is better to buy all household appliances immediately upon arrival. The total may be expensive, but you can always find budget models. Another plus is that you don’t have to drag a heavy load from your home country.

Those who want to use equipment from Russia/Ukraine/Europe in the USA need to prepare. For example, if you are interested in charging a laptop in the USA, then simply study the characteristics of your adapter:

This way you will know all the requirements for the electrical network and will be able to understand whether the equipment will burn out or deteriorate. It is important to understand that in 99% of cases domestic equipment will not burn out if there is insufficient voltage, but it will not function normally. But American technology in Russia, on the contrary, it will probably burn out, since American equipment, not designed for the international market, is designed for low voltage.

For example, you can use a hairdryer from Russia only at full speed, and the device will blow as if it was turned on in full. weak mode. The same applies to ironing and other equipment. Imagine if your equipment was supplied with 2 times less energy than necessary.

As for mobile phones, there will be no serious problems with recharging. But the process will take a lot of time, because charging the device will take several times longer than in Russia. In the case of a mobile phone, we recommend buying a new one charger. The charging speed depends on it, and not on your smartphone.

Adapter and adapter for American outlet

Using a special adapter, you can easily connect any devices. But you need to take care of purchasing it in advance - you are unlikely to want to walk the streets of an unfamiliar city looking for a suitable adapter for an outlet. Adapter for American outlet looks something like this and you can do it:

Many hotels provide guests with similar devices, but this option is not available in all hotels. And most importantly, there is often a need to simultaneously charge your phone, dry your hair and connect a video camera to the network - in this case, one adapter will not be enough. For those who travel frequently, we recommend for 3-5 dollars, for example this:

Suitable for Russia, Europe, USA, England, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico. When assembled, it takes up minimal space.

Here are all supported connectors:

Costs 3-5 dollars, delivered to Russia for free, arrived to me in 19 days after payment. You can buy it at.

In addition, if you want to charge your phone, it is better to buy not an adapter for a socket, but USB adapter, which you will use to charge your phone. For example, you can buy something like this:

You can buy an adapter at home by ordering it online. On AliExpress or Gearbest you can find adapters and adapters for just a couple of dollars. You can also buy an adapter at duty free right before your trip. Adapters can also be purchased at an in-flight store when you fly.

If you put this question off until you travel to New York or another US city, you will be unpleasantly surprised. Such adapters and adapters cost $20-40, which is quite expensive. In this video you will learn more about American socket adapters:

DA Info Pro - March 6. Connecting any household appliance to electrical network we don't think about what types of electrical outlets there might 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 in different countries. Therefore, the US Department of Commerce (ITA) adopted a standard in 1998 according to which various types electrical sockets 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 when single-phase connection current polarity is not important, type A and 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 with connecting electric stoves - maximum power can reach 10 kW. Various countries have introduced rules and regulations to use a separate type of electrical outlet 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.

When preparing to travel abroad, we take with us a lot electronic gadgets, such as electric razors, phones, tablets, laptops, e-books, cameras, MP3 players, etc. But not everyone knows that each country has a different electrical system, in which different standards electrical plugs and sockets, different frequencies, voltages and currents.

Therefore, before traveling abroad, it is a good idea to find out in advance about the electrical system in the country you will be visiting. Otherwise, it may turn out that in your host country you will not be able to charge your electronic device or even turn it on for mains operation.

Most power supplies for electronic devices such as laptops, chargers, mobile devices, video cameras and cameras have universal nutrition, so they are capable of operating at a supply voltage of 100 to 240 Volts, and a frequency of 50 or 60 Hz.

Map diagram of the use of voltage and current frequency in different countries of the world

As you can see, most electronic devices and gadgets are adapted to work in a wide range of electrical systems in different countries, but there are very important point, related to the variety of electrical plugs and sockets in these electrical systems. In different countries, the standards for sockets and plugs are different, so you simply cannot connect the charger to this outlet, since it simply will not fit there.

To protect ourselves from such disappointments, we should take care of this in advance by purchasing the appropriate adapter or adapter for charging of this device. Today you can buy a universal set of adapters that are suitable for most countries of the world.

Map diagram of the use of electrical plugs and sockets by type in different countries of the world

But still, before traveling to another country, it would be a good idea to find out about the standard of the electrical system in it, find out the standard for plugs and sockets.

Below you will see a table that describes the standards of electrical systems in all countries of the world. Moreover, grouped by continents, clicking on the link with the name of the continent will immediately redirect you to the desired area of ​​text with a description of the countries of this continent.

Pay attention! There are countries that have different electrical system standards depending on the region or area, such as Brazil or the Maldives. In this case, you should check more precisely which standard applies in this particular area of ​​the country. If a country has multiple standards, this will be indicated in the table provided, otherwise there will be one entry per country.

So, first, let's look at all the standards of electrical plugs and sockets available in the world with the accompanying photo and more. detailed description. Here you can find out what, for example, an American, European, Japanese, Australian, etc. socket looks like.

Types of electrical sockets and plugs from around the world

Type A- this is American electrical outlet and a fork. It has two flat parallel contacts. Used in most countries in North and Central America, particularly the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and Guatemala, as well as Japan. And also wherever the voltage is 110 V.

Type B- This is the same type A connector, but with an additional round ground pin. Typically used in the same countries as the Type A connector.

Type C- This is a European socket and plug. It has two round contacts parallel to each other. It does not have a third ground pin. It is the most popular outlet in Europe, excluding the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Used where the voltage is 220 V.

Type D- This is the old British standard with three round contacts mounted in a triangle shape with one of the contacts thicker than the other two. This socket standard is used for maximum current and is used in India, Nepal, Namibia and Sri Lanka.

Type E- This is a plug with two round contacts and a hole for a grounding contact, which is located in the socket of the socket. This type of socket is currently used in Poland, France and Belgium.

TypeF– This standard is similar to Type E, but instead of a round ground pin, it uses two metal clamps on both sides of the connector. This type of socket is used, for example, in Germany, Austria, Holland, Norway and Sweden.

Tun G- This is a British socket with three flat contacts. Currently used in the UK, Ireland, Malta, 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 socket, perhaps this is the problem.

Type H– This socket connector is used only in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Has three flat contacts, or more early version Round contacts are arranged in a B shape. Not compatible with any other plug. It is intended for voltage values ​​of 220 V and current up to 16 A.

Type I- This is an Australian socket, it has two flat contacts, like in the American type A connector, but they are located at an angle to each other - in the shape of the letter B. There is also a version with a ground contact. This type of socket is used in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina.

Type J- This is a 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 and beyond in Liechtenstein, Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Maldives.

Type K- this is a Danish socket and plug, it is similar to the popular European socket Type C, but additionally has a ground pin located at the bottom of the connector. It is the basic standard mainly in Denmark and Greenland, but also in Bangladesh, Senegal and the Maldives.

Type L- This is an Italian plug and socket, it is similar to the popular European Type C socket, but has an additional round ground pin located in the center, the two round power pins are unusually arranged in a line. This socket is used in Italy, as well as Chile, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Cuba.

Type M- This is an African socket and plug with three round contacts arranged in the shape of a triangle, while the ground contact is 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.

EUROPE

ASIA

AFRICA

NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA

AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA

Information and illustrations provided by the online guide

One of the most unexpected situations is when you come on vacation and want to charge your mobile or camera, but the plug does not fit into the outlet.

This problem can be solved quite quickly; adapters are sometimes sold directly in hotels or in souvenir shops. But it’s better to prepare for such a turn of events in advance.

Today we will talk about sockets that are found in different countries of the world.

Types of sockets that do not require an adapter

First, let's look at the standard we are used to, which is accepted in Russia and Europe - this is type C And F. These types of sockets are also common in all CIS countries, Asia and South America. Support voltage 220 – 240 V.

Type G

Those who have traveled around the UK already know that the sockets there are very different from those we are used to. This is type G.

It is also found in Ireland, Malta, Malaysia and Singapore.

Type I

You will definitely need an adapter if you decide to travel to Australia, New Zealand, China and Argentina.

In these countries, Type I sockets are used. They can have either two or three (grounding) plugs.

In Australia, sockets are often equipped with a switch.

Type M

South Africa also has its own unique sockets; type M is used there.

At least the holes in this type sockets and round ones, it’s still not possible to plug in the usual plug. The distance between the holes is different.

In addition, because This type of socket is found in only a few African countries; universal adapters are often not suitable for it.

It is not necessary to have many adapters for different sockets. At airports you can find shops that sell various small items for travel, including a universal adapter.

In some countries, universal sockets are common and can accept European and North American plugs. Such sockets can often be found in Thailand.