List of countries with mains power plugs, voltages and frequencies
Encyclopedia
This article includes a list of countries and territories, with the plugs, voltages and frequencies they use for providing electrical power to small appliance
s and some major appliance
s. Every country has differing rules regarding distribution of electricity for portable appliances and lighting. Voltage, frequency
, and wall socket type vary widely, but large regions may use common standards. This article lists wall socket, voltage and frequency commonly expected for many regions. In some areas, older standards may still exist, and physical compatibility of receptacles may not ensure compatibility of voltage and frequency. Foreign enclaves or buildings frequented by tourists may support sockets not otherwise used in a country, for the convenience of travelers.
between equipment and supply. Voltages in this article are the nominal single-phase supply voltages and equipment used on these systems will carry slightly lower nameplate voltages. Three-phase and industrial loads will have other voltages. All voltages are root mean square
voltage, the peak AC voltage is greater by a factor of √2, and the peak to peak voltage greater by a factor of 2√2.
Small appliance
Small appliance refers to a class of home appliances that are portable or semi-portable or which are used on tabletops, countertops, or other platforms in the United States of America...
s and some major appliance
Major appliance
A major appliance, or domestic appliance, is usually defined as a large machine which accomplishes some routine housekeeping task, which includes purposes such as cooking, or food preservation, whether in a household, institutional, commercial or industrial setting...
s. Every country has differing rules regarding distribution of electricity for portable appliances and lighting. Voltage, frequency
Utility frequency
The utility frequency, line frequency or mains frequency is the frequency at which alternating current is transmitted from a power plant to the end-user. In most parts of the world this is 50 Hz, although in the Americas it is typically 60 Hz...
, and wall socket type vary widely, but large regions may use common standards. This article lists wall socket, voltage and frequency commonly expected for many regions. In some areas, older standards may still exist, and physical compatibility of receptacles may not ensure compatibility of voltage and frequency. Foreign enclaves or buildings frequented by tourists may support sockets not otherwise used in a country, for the convenience of travelers.
Wall sockets
The lettering system used here is from a U.S. government document, which defines the letter names and gives a (not always correct) list of what plug types are used where. Although useful for quick reference, the document is ambiguous in some areas. A plug and socket that are classified here under the same letter will usually mate, but there is no guarantee of this. A more up-to-date and authoritative reference on plugs and sockets is IEC Technical Report 60083.Voltage ranges
A distinction should be made between the voltage at the point of supply (nominal system voltage) and the voltage rating of the equipment (utilization voltage). Typically the utilization voltage is 3 to 5% lower than the nominal system voltage; for example, a nominal 208 V supply system will be connected to motors with "200 V" on their nameplates. This allows for the voltage dropVoltage drop
Voltage drop is the reduction in voltage in the passive elements of an electrical circuit. Voltage drops across conductors, contacts, connectors and source internal resistances are undesired as they reduce the supplied voltage while voltage drops across loads and other electrical and electronic...
between equipment and supply. Voltages in this article are the nominal single-phase supply voltages and equipment used on these systems will carry slightly lower nameplate voltages. Three-phase and industrial loads will have other voltages. All voltages are root mean square
Root mean square
In mathematics, the root mean square , also known as the quadratic mean, is a statistical measure of the magnitude of a varying quantity. It is especially useful when variates are positive and negative, e.g., sinusoids...
voltage, the peak AC voltage is greater by a factor of √2, and the peak to peak voltage greater by a factor of 2√2.
Table of mains voltages and frequencies
Note: The table can be sorted using the icon.EWLINE
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See also
- AC powerAC powerPower in an electric circuit is the rate of flow of energy past a given point of the circuit. In alternating current circuits, energy storage elements such as inductance and capacitance may result in periodic reversals of the direction of energy flow...
- AC power plugs and sockets
- Alternating currentAlternating currentIn alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
- Delta-wye transformer
- Electrical wiringElectrical wiringElectrical wiring in general refers to insulated conductors used to carry electricity, and associated devices. This article describes general aspects of electrical wiring as used to provide power in buildings and structures, commonly referred to as building wiring. This article is intended to...
- ElectricityElectricityElectricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
- Industrial and multiphase power plugs and socketsIndustrial and multiphase power plugs and socketsIndustrial and multiphase plugs and sockets provide a connection to the electrical mains rated at higher voltages and currents than household plugs and sockets...
- List of current systems for electric rail traction
- Mains electricityMains electricityMains is the general-purpose alternating current electric power supply. In the US, electric power is referred to by several names including household power, household electricity, powerline, domestic power, wall power, line power, AC power, city power, street power, and grid power...
- NEMA connector
- Telephone plugTelephone plugA telephone plug is a type of male connector used to connect a telephone to the telephone wiring in a home or business, and in turn to a local telephone network. It is inserted into its female counterpart, a telephone "jack", commonly affixed to a wall or baseboard...
External links
- Information on the electrical systems in use in most countries of the world
- Electrical Installation Guide According to IEC 60364
- Discussion of the history of iEC standardization attempts
- http://www.leoni-electrical-appliances.com/Plugs.6775.0.html?&L=1&cHash=29a5cfda7a&mode=DETAILS&cpid=2082&uid=237