We buy a lot of electrical household appliances of different capacities, made in the EU countries, in which the power cords end with European-type electric plugs. It is known that they differ not only in the diameter of the metal part from our domestic ones, but also in shape, greater potential power and the presence of one or two ground 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 the past, so we will begin a brief overview of European-type electrical plugs with them.

One of the most common plug designs in the USSR, designed for 220V, 6A

This type, called the Soviet C1 / B, is still produced in our homeland and, in terms of its qualities, it can be equated with the European type CEE 7 / 16 Europlug. Electric 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 ground terminals, but there is 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 not 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 widely used in European countries, except for England, Ireland and Malta, belongs to the CEE class 7/16 Europlug. It is used when operating household electrical appliances of low power, without ground contacts and is designed for current strength up to 2.5 A at a voltage of 1100 - 220 V. Compatible with class 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 already with a diameter of 4.8 mm and one ground contact. Widely used in France, Poland and Belgium. They are used for medium power devices 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, but with Soviet type C1 /B are not compatible and can only be used with an adapter.

For electrical appliances of medium and high power consumption, the European German type of Schuko CEE 7/4 plugs is used, which is widely used in Germany, Sweden, Norway and Holland.

CEE 7/4 Schuko plug and Schuko socket

Designed for current 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 Fits French type E CEE 7/5 plugs.

There is also a hybrid type of E/F electric plugs - CTT 7|7, which combines German and French quality. Very common in the European Union when using appliances of medium and high power consumption. They have a grounding contact, suitable for sockets type C, E and F with a metal pin diameter of 4.8 mm.

American sockets are very different from Russian (European), and our plugs cannot be plugged into them, no matter how hard we try. :-) The same problem is on the other side, many people want to buy equipment in America (because the choice is better here and the prices are lower) and take it home, but they are faced with a variety of plugs.

US grid voltage

The voltage in the power grid in Russia is 220 (220-240) volts, in the USA it is 110 (in Japan, by the way, too). Theoretically, this is a safer voltage level, and there is less risk of fire in case of a short circuit. Most modern technology works on both voltages, some chargers and power supplies have switches, some work automatically depending on the voltage in the outlet. So research the chargers and plugs on your equipment in advance.

Americans also have other plugs - with two flat pins (moreover, the left one is vertically wider than the right one), or in addition to two flat pins there is a rounded third one. In general, the holes on the outlet look like some kind of frightened smiley. ?

These are plugs (plugs) from an electronic watch and below from a laptop charger.

Also a big plus in modern chargers is USB. That is, players and phones can be charged from a computer, or you can purchase a socket / USB adapter (if one is not included with the device). This is how I charge my tablet:

And there are also such unusual plugs with buttons. They are made mainly on hair dryers, styling tongs, electric shavers and kitchen appliances (mixers, blenders). If water enters the outlet, the fuse is activated, and the hair dryer, for example, turns off, protecting you from a short circuit.

The same socket (with buttons) in our kitchen:

When we moved, knowing such a difference in sockets and plugs, we left many electrical appliances in Russia, and there was no point in dragging them. All sorts of hair dryers and razors can always be bought in the USA, good and not expensive. The only thing we had with the Russian plug was charging from the camera. But a cord with an American plug from a laptop bought in the first days of her stay in America very well approached her. :-)

Nevertheless, if you need an adapter, then you can order it in advance before leaving on some Chinese website or search in stores with electrical goods, there are also adapters that have several plug options built in at once (for all occasions for tough travelers). In the US, you can buy an adapter from an American plug on the Amazon website (they cost from 3 to 10 dollars, depending on the sophistication and are called “adapter”), you can also look in supermarkets with household goods, such as Target or Walmart, and they also write that an adapter can be purchased at the airport upon arrival, but of course, it will cost several times more. Yes, and as a last resort, if you are just going to the USA for a couple of weeks to relax, then the adapter can be rented from friends and acquaintances. ?

DA Info Pro - March 6th. When connecting any household appliance to the electrical network, we do not think about what types of electrical outlets can be. However, you can get into some confusion when repairing the electrical wiring in a house abroad or in an apartment in which foreigners lived before you. In addition, some problems can be encountered when traveling to another country when trying to plug an electrical plug into the network.

Electrical plugs vary by country. Therefore, the US Department of Commerce (ITA) in 1998 adopted a standard according to which various types of electrical sockets and plugs were assigned their own designation. We will write in detail for each type of electrical outlets.

Classification principle and main types

Total exists 15 types electrical sockets. The differences are in the shape, size, maximum current, availability of a ground connection. All types of sockets are legally fixed in countries within the framework of standards and norms. Although the sockets in the image above may look similar in shape, they differ in the size of the sockets and pins (plugs).

All types according to the American classification are designated as Type X (Type X).

In most countries, standards are driven by their history. So, for example, India, being a British colony until 1947, adopted its standard. Until now, in some hotels in the UK you can find the old standard Type D.

The image shows the types of electrical outlets in different countries of the world.

Although polarity is not important for a single-phase current connection, type A and B sockets are polarized. This is manifested in the fact that the plugs have different thickness - the position of the plug is important. In addition, in the USA, where they are actively distributed, an alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz and a voltage of 127 V is used.

Development of various 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 interchangeable cords for various types and countries for their devices.

Electrical sockets and plugs have evolved, among other things, under the tightening of 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 types of connectors are already obsolete. So the American Type I, Soviet Type I, old Spanish sockets, plugs with cut plugs have gone 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, IEC).

It turns out interesting with the connection of electric stoves - the maximum power can reach 10 kW. Various countries have introduced into the rules and regulations to use a separate type of electrical outlets for such powerful appliances. And in some places they generally oblige to connect without an outlet in a fixed way.

To connect plugs of one type to an outlet of another, adapter adapters are usually sold. They are found both from one type of electrical outlet to another, and universal - from any to a specific one.

There are 12 types of electrical plugs and sockets in the world.
The alphabetical classification is from A to X.
Before traveling abroad, especially to rarely visited countries, I check the data below.

Type A: North America, Japan

Countries: Canada, USA, Mexico, part of South America, Japan

Two flat parallel contacts without grounding.
In addition to the United States, this standard has been adopted in 38 other countries. Most common in North America and on the east coast of South America. In 1962, the use of type A sockets was prohibited by law. Instead, the Type B standard was developed. However, many old houses still have similar sockets because they are compatible with the new Type B plugs.
The Japanese standard is identical to American sockets, but has more stringent requirements for the dimensions of plug and socket housings.

Type B: same as type A except Japan

Countries: Canada, USA, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, part of Brazil, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia

Two flat parallel contacts and one round for grounding.
The additional contact is longer, so when connected, the device is grounded before it is connected to the network.
In the socket, the neutral contact is on the left side, the phase is on the right side, and the earth is on the bottom. On this type of plug, the neutral contact is made wider to prevent reverse polarity in non-standard connections.

Type C: Europe

Countries: all of Europe, Russia and the CIS, the Middle East, part of South America, Indonesia, South Korea

Two round contacts.
This is our usual Euro socket. Grounding is not provided, and the plug can be connected to any outlet that accepts 4 mm diameter contacts with a distance of 19 mm between them.
Type C is used throughout continental Europe, the Middle East, many African countries, as well as in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Indonesia. Well, of course, in all the republics of the former Soviet Union.
German and French plugs (type E) are very similar to this standard, but the pin diameter is increased to 4.8 mm, and the body is designed in such a way as to prevent connection to euro sockets. The same plugs are used in South Korea for all non-earthed devices and are found in Italy.
In the UK and Ireland, showers and bathrooms sometimes have special sockets that are compatible with Type C plugs. These are designed to connect electric shavers. Therefore, the voltage in them is often lowered to 115 V.

Type D: India, Africa, Middle East

Three large round contacts arranged in a triangle.
This old English standard is supported mainly in India. It is also found in Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria), the Middle East (Kuwait, Qatar) and in those parts of Asia and the Far East where the British were engaged in electrification.
Compatible sockets are used in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Namibia. In Israel, Singapore and Malaysia, this type of outlet is used to connect air conditioners and electric clothes dryers.

Type E: France

Two round pins and a ground pin protruding from the top of the socket.
This type of connection is used in France, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Denmark.
The diameter of the contacts is 4.8 mm, they are located at a distance of 19 mm from each other. The right contact is neutral, the left is live.
As well as the German standard described below, sockets of this type allow the connection of plugs of type C and some others. Sometimes the connection requires the use of force so that you can damage the outlet.

Type F: Germany

Two round pins and two grounding clips at the top and bottom of the socket.
Often this type is called Schuko, from the German schutzkontakt, which means "protected or grounded" contact. Sockets and plugs of this standard are symmetrical, the position of the contacts when connecting does not matter.
Despite the fact that the standard provides for the use of contacts with a diameter of 4.8 mm, domestic plugs easily fit German sockets.
Many countries in Eastern Europe are gradually moving from the old Soviet standard to Type F.
Often there are hybrid plugs that combine type F side clips and a type E grounding contact. Such plugs connect equally well to both “French” sockets and German Schuko.

Type G: Great Britain and former colonies

Countries: UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Cyprus, Malta

Three large flat contacts arranged in a triangle.
The massiveness of forks of this type is surprising. The reason lies not only in the large contacts, but also in the fact that there is a fuse inside the plug. It is necessary because British standards allow high current in a household electrical circuit. Pay attention to this! The adapter for the euro plug must also be equipped with a fuse.
Plugs and sockets of this type, in addition to Great Britain, are also common in a number of former British colonies.

Type H: Israel

Three contacts arranged in a Y-shape.
This type of connection is unique, found only in Israel and is not compatible with all other sockets and plugs.
Until 1989, the contacts were flat, then it was decided to replace them with round ones, 4 mm in diameter, located in the same way. All modern sockets support the connection of plugs with both old flat and new round pins.

Type I: Australia

Countries: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji

Two flat contacts arranged in a “house” and the third one is a ground contact.
Almost all outlets in Australia have a switch for added security.
Similar connections are found in China, only in comparison with the Australian ones they are turned upside down.
Argentina and Uruguay use receptacles that are compatible with Type I in shape, but with reversed polarity.

Type J: Switzerland

Three round contacts.
Exclusive Swiss standard. Very similar to type C, only there is a third, grounding contact, which is set a little to the side.
European standard plugs fit without adapters.
A similar connection is found in parts of Brazil.

Type K: Denmark and Greenland

Three round contacts.
The Danish standard is very similar to the French Type E, only the protruding earth pin is in the plug, not the socket.
As of July 1, 2008, type E sockets will be installed in Denmark, but for now, the most common Euro C plugs can be easily connected to existing sockets.

Type L: Italy and Chile

Three round contacts in a row.
European standard C plugs (ours) fit Italian sockets without any problems.
If you really want to, then E / F (France-Germany) plugs, which we have in chargers for MacBooks, can be put into Italian sockets. In 50% of cases, Italian sockets break in the process of pulling out such a plug: the plug is removed from the wall along with the Italian socket strung on it.

Type X: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia

A hybrid of type A with C sockets. This type of socket accepts both American and European plugs.