English electric plug. List of plug standards
There are more than a hundred ways to connect electrical appliances to the network in the world. There are a huge number of plugs and sockets. It is also necessary to take into account that each country has a specific voltage, frequency and current strength. This can turn into a serious problem for tourists. But this question is relevant today not only for those who love to travel. Some people, when renovating an apartment or house, deliberately install sockets of the standard of other countries. One of these is the American outlet. It has its own characteristics, disadvantages and advantages. Today there are only 13 standards for sockets and plugs that are used in different countries peace. Let's look at some of them.
Two frequency and voltage standards
It would seem, why do we need so many standards and types of electrical elements? But it should be taken into account that there are different standards network voltage. Many people do not know that in everyday life electrical network North American countries do not use traditional 220 V, as in Russia and the CIS, but 120 V. But this was not always the case. Until the 60s, throughout the Soviet Union, household voltage was 127 volts. Many will ask why this is so. As is known, the amount consumed electrical energy growing constantly. Previously, apart from light bulbs in apartments and houses, there were simply no other consumers.
Everything that each of us plugs into a power outlet every day - computers, televisions, microwaves, boilers - did not exist then and appeared much later. When the power increases, the voltage must be increased. Higher current entails overheating of the wires, and with them certain losses due to this heating. This is serious. In order to avoid this unnecessary loss of precious energy, it was necessary to increase the cross-section of the wire. But it is very difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, it was decided to increase the voltage in the networks.
The times of Edison and Tesla
Edison was a supporter DC. He believed that this particular current was convenient for work. Tesla believed in the advantages of variable frequency. Eventually the two scientists began to practically fight each other. By the way, this war ended only in 2007, when the United States switched to alternating current in household networks. But let's return to Edison. He created the production of incandescent light bulbs with carbon-based filaments. Voltage for optimal performance these lamps were 100 V. He added another 10 V for losses in conductors and at his power plants accepted 110 V as the operating voltage. That is why the American socket for a long time was designed for 110 V. Further in the States, and then in other countries that worked closely with the USA, they adopted 120 V as the standard voltage. The current frequency was 60 Hz. But electrical networks were created in such a way that two phases and a “neutral” were connected to houses. This made it possible to obtain 120 V when using phase voltages or 240 in the case of
Why two phases?
It's all about the generators that created electricity for all of America.
Until the end of the 20th century, they were two-phase. Weak consumers were connected to them, and more powerful ones were transferred to linear voltages.
60 Hz
This is entirely due to Tesla. This happened back in 1888. He worked closely with J. Westinghouse, including on the development of generators. They argued a lot and for a long time about the optimal frequency - the opponent insisted on choosing one of the frequencies in the range from 25 to 133 Hz, but Tesla stood firm on his idea and the figure of 60 Hz fit into the system as much as possible.
Advantages
Among the advantages of this frequency are lower costs in the manufacturing process electromagnetic system for transformers and generators. Therefore, equipment for this frequency is significantly smaller in size and weight. By the way, the lamps practically do not flicker. An American outlet in the States is much better suited for powering computers and other equipment that requires good power.
Sockets and standards
There are two main standards in frequency and voltage in the world.
One of them is American. This network voltage is 110-127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz. And standard A and B are used as plugs and sockets. The second type is European. Here the voltage is 220-240 V, frequency is 50 Hz. The European socket is predominantly S-M.
Type A
These species are widespread only in Northern and Central America. They can also be found in Japan. However, there are some differences between them. The Japanese have two pins parallel to each other and flat with the same dimensions. The American outlet is a little different. And the fork for it, accordingly, too. Here one pin is wider than the second. This is done to ensure that the correct polarity is always maintained when connecting electrical appliances. After all, previously the current in American networks was constant. These sockets were also called Class II. Tourists say that plugs from Japanese technology work without problems with American and Canadian sockets. But connecting these elements in reverse (if the plug is American) will not work. A suitable adapter for the socket is required. But usually people just file down the wide pin.
Type B
These types of devices are only used in Canada, the USA and Japan. And if type “A” devices were intended for low-power equipment, then mainly powerful ones are plugged into such sockets household appliances with consumption currents up to 15 amperes.
In some catalogs, such an American plug or socket may be designated as Class I or NEMA 5-15 (this is already an international designation). Now they have almost completely replaced type “A”. In the USA, only "B" is used. But in old buildings you can still find the old American outlet. It does not have a contact responsible for connecting the ground. In addition, the US industry has long been producing appliances with modern plugs. But this does not prevent the use of new electrical appliances in old houses. In this case, resourceful Americans simply cut off or destroy the grounding contact so that it does not interfere and can be connected to an old-style outlet.
About appearance and differences
Anyone who purchased an iPhone from the USA knows very well what an American outlet looks like. It has its own characteristics. The socket consists of two flat holes or slits. New type devices have an additional grounding contact at the bottom.
Also, to avoid errors, one pin of the plug is made wider than the other. The Americans decided not to change this approach, and left everything the same in the new outlets. The contacts on the plug are not pins like a European socket. These are more like plates. There may be holes at their ends.
How to operate American equipment in the CIS countries
It happens that people bring equipment from the States and want to use it in Europe or Russia. And they encounter a problem - the socket does not fit the plug. So what should we do? You can replace the cord with a standard European one, but this is not an option for everyone. For those who are not technically savvy and have never held a soldering iron in their hands, it is recommended to purchase an adapter for a socket. There are quite a lot of them - they are all different in quality and price. If you are planning a trip to the USA, then you should stock up on adapters in advance. There they can cost five or more dollars. If you order from an online store, you can save up to half the cost. It should also be taken into account that even in US hotels, all sockets meet the American standard - and it doesn’t matter that most of the people who stay are foreign tourists.
In this case, an adapter from an American outlet to a European one could help him. The same applies to equipment purchased in the USA. If you don’t want to solder, you can buy an inexpensive Chinese-made adapter and fully use electrical appliances, charge your phone or tablet on a non-standard socket. There are no other options here.
Resume
They say that you can’t understand Russia with your mind, but in the USA everything is not so simple either. You can't just show up and use the outlets. American type with European or any other plugs. Therefore, you should take adapters on the road, and you need to order them in advance. This saves a lot of time and money.
We buy a lot of electrical household appliances different power made in EU countries where power cords ends 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, so we’ll start with them brief overview European-type electrical plugs from 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 devices medium power 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 type C, E, F, however, with the Soviet type C1/B they are incompatible and may Use only if an adapter is available.
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, which combines German and French quality. Very common in European Union countries when using medium and high power consumption. They have a grounding contact and are suitable for sockets of type C, E and F with a metal pin diameter of 4.8 mm.
Types of sockets in hotels in tourist countries (UAE, Cyprus, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, others)
While abroad, tourists sometimes face the problem of a mismatch between the plug and the local electrical outlet. Most often this happens when recharging gadgets or when trying to use a hairdryer or electric razor.
In most hotels in the world there are no problems with charging for a symbolic amount required adapter for rent. Often the necessary adapter can be purchased at your local store. But if you travel often, prefer to stay outside of hotels, or don't want to rely on chance, you will find the following information useful.
To connect household appliances to the power grid, two types are used in the world electrical voltage and two mains frequencies:
- European current of 220-240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz
- American-Japanese at 100-127 V with a frequency of 60 Hz.
At the same time various types Electrical plugs for household appliances and socket standards are no longer 2 or 3, but as many as 15. They differ not only in shape, but in the size of the plugs, the absence or presence of grounding.
The diagram shows all 15 types of outlets, they are arranged in the numbering order adopted by the ITA - US Department of Commerce, in 1998. (Some models are similar in design, but they have differences in the size of the sockets and plugs).
Frightened by so many different types There are no sockets. If you wish, you can buy an adapter in advance and travel with it. There are several types of adapters that will allow you to connect your device to a different type of outlet, and there are universal adapters.
Knowledge of what type of sockets are used in specific country will help you choose the right adapter, or understand that you don’t need it on this trip.
Cyprus
In all hotels in Cyprus electrical plugs Domestic appliances and corresponding sockets are type G. This is the well-known British system with three rectangular pins - one vertical and two horizontal. You can see how they look in the photo. If you don’t want to spend money on an adapter, you can rent one at the hotel reception, leaving a small deposit. The money will be returned upon departure. Some Russian narrow plugs fit into such sockets, so it's worth a try first (without using physical force).
Outlets in Thailand
Thai sockets have either two holes, two pins, or two pins with a hole. Accordingly, this is type C (Euro socket), A and B ( american sockets with and without grounding). Russian and Ukrainian electrical appliances can be plugged into type C sockets without any problems. There are also universal hole options (pictured). Flat-pin plug sockets usually include refrigerators, making them less loose in hotels. If you need to recharge your phone or laptop, then it is better to find an adapter and use such “refrigerator sockets” of type A, and when you need to turn on several devices at once, it is useful to have an extension cord with several sockets; they are inexpensive in Thailand. You can see the exact sockets in Thailand in the photo (universal version). However, if you have expensive equipment, it is better to have an adapter with grounding.
Features of sockets in Vietnam
The type of sockets in Vietnam depends on the region. In South Vietnam - type A (pictured), in Northern Vietnam type C (European). In expensive hotels you may find British G sockets. But everywhere – the usual mains current is 220 V, 50 Hz. There are adapters in hotels, but with a large influx of visitors, there may not be enough for everyone.
India
The generally accepted types of sockets in India are C, D and M. The current in the network is European. Russian plugs are quite suitable for Indian sockets. There are no problems with Euro plugs, but the thin pins of some may not fit tightly and will have to be fixed somehow; in this case, it is better to use adapters. In general, tourists do not have problems with sockets in hotels of any star rating. The photo shows a common example of the type of sockets in hotels in India.
Italy
Basically, sockets in Italian hotels are type F. There is a grounding bracket inside, which does not interfere with the insertion of most of our domestic plugs. European type C and three-point type L sockets are also common. If the plugs have thick legs or have grounding, like a computer, then you cannot do without an adapter. In the photo on the left is a type L socket, on the right is a type F socket in Italy. If necessary, adapters can be bought in any store for 1-2 euros and at the hotel reception they will be given free of charge.
Sockets in the Dominican Republic and Cuba in hotels. Features of the mains voltage
Sockets in the Dominican Republic in hotels are of types A and B - American, with or without grounding. Hotel adapters are available at reception desks. But the country’s power supply standards are different: mains voltage 110 V, frequency 60 Hz. If you plug in a kettle, razor or iron at 220 V, they will work at a quarter of the power, and charging will take longer. Transformer adapters are sold, they cost about $16, although high power do not possess. Sockets in the Dominican Republic in more modern hotels are suitable for not only American-style plugs, but also European ones, both with or without grounding. The situation with power supply voltage and types of sockets is exactly the same in Cuba. Modern hotels in Cuba even have European sockets with a voltage of 220 V.
Sockets in Israel
Israel is “famous” for its unusual sockets, which are used only in this country; the voltage standard is European. Type H sockets are designed to accept a three-prong plug. Old buildings still have the old European Type C sockets. Modern hotels are equipped with sockets where the three-prong input allows you to connect a regular European plug. Chargers and other household appliances turn on without problems, even the old Soviet model.
Sockets in the UAE
Many who have visited this country will answer the question of what sockets are in the UAE and whether an adapter is required in different ways. The fact is that there are three standards side by side - the widespread type G of the British socket with three flat pins, where an adapter is needed, type C of the ordinary European one, which does not require an adapter, and type D, which came here from Old England. In Britain they no longer use it, but in India it is found. Many narrow ones stick into this type european plugs, and with old Soviet-style plugs you can connect through an adapter. The problem can be easily resolved on the spot - adapters are available in hotels. The voltage and frequency in the UAE network are the same as ours.
France
Sockets in France are ordinary European type C and type E (pictured), voltage and frequency are standard. Sometimes you need an adapter, as for previous Tefal kettles, but most often a tee and an extension cord are useful, since there will be only one outlet in the hotel room.
Spain
Sockets in Spain in hotels of types C and F, which are suitable for European standard. In the photo - type F. No adapter needed.
Greece
In Greece, sockets are European standard (type C). In Crete you may need an adapter - there are sockets with three inputs (D in the photo), so you won’t be able to use them just like that.
Maldives
G, J, K – types of sockets in the Maldives. Power supply 230 V, 50 Hz. An adapter is required, but it is better to decide on its type on site. Expensive hotels already have the necessary adapters.
G 
J 
K
Indonesia
The most common types of electrical sockets are C and F; they do not require adapters. Less often - British G, then you need an adapter. The current in the network is 220 V 50 Hz, in Bali it is 127 V, there may also be American type B sockets with grounding.
Mexico
Voltage 127 V, frequency 60 Hz. The socket types are North American A and B. Therefore, an adapter is required. Not all hotels in Mexico offer it for free, so you will have to spend a little. It can also be useful on the road - at the airport, on a ferry, in a cafe, so it’s better to buy your own.
Singapore
Types of electrical sockets A, C and G are used to connect video equipment, M - for air conditioners and stationary hair dryers; Hotels have various adapters. The current is European.
Sri Lanka
In four- to five-star hotels in Sri Lanka, the type of sockets is most often British G, although types D and M are also found. The current is 230 V, 50 Hz.
Tell friends
Adapter for English socket – the most necessary thing in England! Money, reservations, documents - it's all clear. This is necessary on any trip. As for the UK, you will definitely need English socket adapter. Their sockets are absolutely incompatible with ours and with the so-called “euro” ones too.
Of course you can buy this adapter in England. But, firstly, it still needs to be found there, and secondly, it costs a lot of money there. For example, at Manchester airport I saw adapter for 14 pounds. In Russia, in any radio store you can find a whole set adapters, neatly packed in a beautiful, convenient box at a price of 150 rubles. If suddenly you don’t have them in your store - adapter for English socket easy to find in Chinese online stores.
Without this adapter, you won't be able to charge your phone, camera, or shave.
UK grid voltage compatible with our electrical appliances and complies with 230 Volts at 50 Hertz.
Adapter for English socket in a convenient box
This is what the adapter itself looks like
The whole set
This is how it works
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