Electricity Around the World

We thought this would be of interest to our readers as we have recently posted about standards in measurement. Currently there is no world standard for electrical use (voltage/frequency) or connectivity.

World Voltage and Frequencies
The information below summarizes electrical systems currently in use around most of the world.

Region

Type(s) of plug / socket

Voltage

Frequency

Comments

Afghanistan C, D, F

240 V

50 Hz

Voltage may vary from 160 to 280.
Albania C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Algeria C, F

230 V

50 Hz

American Samoa A, B, F, I

120 V

60 Hz

Andorra C, F

230 V

50 Hz

Angola C

220 V

50 Hz

Anguilla A, B

110 V

60 Hz

Antigua A, B

230 V

60 Hz

Airport power is reportedly 110 V.
Argentina C, I

220 V

50 Hz

Live and neutral are reversed for socket outlet type I in comparison to most other countries.
Armenia C, F

230 V

50 Hz

Aruba A, B, F

127 V

60 Hz

Lago Colony 115 V.
Australia I

230 V

50 Hz

As of 2000, the mains supply voltage specified in AS 60038 is 230 V with a tolerance of +10% -6%. This was done for voltage harmonization – however 240 V is within tolerance and is commonly found. Mains voltage is still popularly referred to as being “two-forty volts”. Bathrooms in hotels will often have a type I, C and A socket marked “for shavers only” as pictured on the right.
Austria C, F

230 V

50 Hz

Azerbaijan C

220 V

50 Hz

Azores C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Bahamas A, B

120 V

60 Hz

along with 50 Hz in some outlying areas
Bahrain G

230 V

50 Hz

Awali 110 V, 60 Hz.
Balearic Islands C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Bangladesh A, C, D, G, K

220 V

50 Hz

Barbados A, B

115 V

50 Hz

Belgium C, E

230 V

50 Hz

Belize A, B, G

110 V
and
220 V

60 Hz

Benin C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Bermuda A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Bhutan D, F, G, M

230 V

50 Hz

Bolivia A, C

220 V

50 Hz

La Paz & Viacha 115 V.
Bonaire

127 V

50 Hz

Receptacle is combination of B&C without ground connector.
Bosnia C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Botswana D, G, M

230 V

50 Hz

Brazil A, B, C, I – Older C, NBR14136:2002 / IEC 60906-1 – Newer devices

127 V
and
220 V

60 Hz

Type I is becoming common for 220 V outlets and appliances in 127 V areas. Dual-voltage wiring is rather common for high-powered appliances, such as clothes dryers and electric showers which tend to be 220 V even in 127 V areas. Depending on the area, the exact voltage might be 115 V, 127 V, or 220 V. The A, B and C types are sometimes together (flat with rounder ends and ground pin) so that an A, B or C types can be used. Also note that by Jan 1st 2010, Brazil converted to the IEC 60906-1 international plug which looks similar to type J but is not compatible. Since then, all devices shall comply with new standard.
Brunei G

240 V

50 Hz

Bulgaria C, F

230 V

50 Hz

Burkina Faso C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Burundi C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Cambodia A, C, G

230 V

50 Hz

Cameroon C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Canada A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Standardized at 120V. 240V single phase used for applications such as clothes driers, air conditioning, electric heating, water heater, cook-stoves and machinery. Buildings and houses with more than one branch circuit have both voltages. Three-phase 120/208 V or 347/600 V is available though primarily only to commercial or industrial buildings. Type A outlets are for repairs only (house from the 1950s or older), type B now required for new construction and renovation. A 20-Amp type B but with a T-slot is used in kitchens in new construction.
Canary Islands C, E, F, L

220 V

50 Hz

Cape Verde C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Cayman Islands A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Central African Republic C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Chad D, E, F

220 V

50 Hz

Channel Islands C, G

230 V

50 Hz

Chile C, L

220 V

50 Hz

China (mainland only) A, C, I

220 V

50 Hz

Most wall outlets simultaneously support Types A and I. Some outlets support Type C as well (the holes in the outlets are flat in the middle and round on the sides) so that either a Type A, a Type C or a Type I (Unearthed) plug can be used. A second outlet only type I (Earthed) is next to the unearthed multi Type A\C\I outlet. Type A outlets only fit plugs with pins of the same width-a polarized Type A plug requires an adapter. NOTE: no matter the type of plug the socket will accept, voltage in china is always 220 volts. See photo at right.
Colombia A, B

120 V

60 Hz

High-power air conditioners, restaurant equipment, stoves and ovens use 240 volt supplies. Wiring conventions, practices and standards follow the Colombian Electrical Code (Codigo Electrico Colombiano) which is essentially a translation of the USA National Electric Code.
Comoros C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Cook Islands I

240 V

50 Hz

Corfu C

220 V

50 Hz

Costa Rica A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Croatia C, F

230 V

50 Hz

3-phase 400 V AC used for heavy duty applications.
Cyprus G

240 V

50 Hz

Czech Republic C, E

230 V

50 Hz

Type C Plugs are common, especially for low-power devices. Type C wall sockets are very uncommon, and exist only in very old installations.
Denmark C, E, K

230 V

50 Hz

Type E is added from July 2008.
Djibouti C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Dominica D, G

230 V

50 Hz

Dominican Republic A, B

110 V

60 Hz

East Timor C, E, F, I

220 V

50 Hz

Ecuador A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Egypt C

220 V

50 Hz

El Salvador A, B

115 V

60 Hz

Equatorial Guinea C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Eritrea C

230 V

50 Hz

Estonia C, F

230 V

50 Hz

Ethiopia C, E, F, L

220 V

50 Hz

Faroe Islands C, K

220 V

50 Hz

Falkland Islands G

240 V

50 Hz

Fiji I

240 V

50 Hz

Finland C, F

230 V

50 Hz

France C, E

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Type C wall sockets have been prohibited in new installations for more than 10 years.
French Guiana C, D, E

220 V

50 Hz

Gaza Strip C, H

230 V

50 Hz

(see Israel in this list)
Gabon C

220 V

50 Hz

Gambia G

230 V

50 Hz

Georgia C

220 V

50 Hz

Germany C, F

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Type F (“Schuko”, short for “Schutzkontakt”) is standard. Type C Plugs are common, especially for low-power devices. Type C wall sockets are very uncommon, and exist only in very old installations.
Ghana D, G

230 V

50 Hz

Gibraltar G, K

240 V

50 Hz

Type K was used in the Europort development by the Danish builders. Otherwise the United Kingdom fittings are used.
Greece C, F, (older)”Tripoliko” similar to type J and post-1989 type H

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Type F (“Schuko”, Greek: Σούκο) is the de-facto standard for new installations’ sockets. Type C sockets exist only in old installations. Light appliances use type C plug while more electricity-consuming ones use type E&F or F plugs.
Greenland C, K

220 V

50 Hz

Grenada G

230 V

50 Hz

Guadeloupe C, D, E

230 V

50 Hz

Guam A, B

110 V

60 Hz

Guatemala A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Guinea C, F, K

220 V

50 Hz

Guinea-Bissau C

220 V

50 Hz

Guyana A, B, D, G

240 V

60 Hz

Mixture of 50 Hz and 60 Hz distribution according to Guyana Power and Light Conversion of 50 Hz distribution to 60 Hz is ongoing
Haiti A, B

110 V

60 Hz

Honduras A, B

110 V

60 Hz

Hong Kong G is used in almost all products, while M is (rarely) used when required current rating is between 13~15A. D is now obsolete in Hong Kong.

220 V

50 Hz

Largely based on UK system. Occasionally, a ‘shaver’ socket (similar to Type C) is found in some bathrooms that provides low current to some other plug types. These almost always have a 110 V socket and a 220 V socket in the same unit, or a switch to select voltage, which are sometimes labeled as 110 V and 220 V. This duo installation is not as common in HK as in the UK. There was a smaller 2A version of type D, now obsolete.
Hungary C, F

230 V (formerly 220V)

50 Hz

Iceland C, F

230 V

50 Hz

India C, D, M

230 V

50 Hz

The standardized voltage used in India is 220V/50 Hz with a tolerance varying from 216V to 253V. Some hotels provide dual receptacles for foreign appliances giving both 120V and 230V.
Indonesia C, F, G

127 V
and
230 V

50 Hz

Type G socket/plug is not common.
Ireland G (obsolete or specialist installations may be D and M (as in the UK) or F)

230 V (formerly 220 V)

50 Hz

G Sockets and plugs standard as defined by NSAI I.S. 401 (Plug) I.S. 411 (Socket outlet). Type F (“Side Earth”) plugs occasionally seen in old installations probably because much of the early Irish electrical network was heavily influenced by Siemens. ‘ A ‘shaver’ socket (similar to Type C) is sometimes found in bathrooms that will provide low current to some other plug types. These almost always have a 110 V socket and a 230 V socket in the same unit, or a switch to select voltage, which are sometimes labeled as 115 V and 230 V. The G type socket often has a on-off switch on the socket. 110 V center point earthed transformers are often used for industrial portable tools.
Isle of Man C, G

240 V

50 Hz

Israel C, H, M

230 V

50 Hz

The standard for H plugs and sockets was recently modified to use round pins, so most modern sockets accept both type C and type H plugs. Type M sockets are used for air conditioners. Identical plugs and sockets also used in the Palestinian National Authority areas.
Italy C, F, L

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Jamaica A, B

110 V and 220V

50 Hz

Japan A, B

100 V

50 Hz
and
60 Hz

Eastern Japan 50 Hz (Tokyo, Kawasaki, Sapporo, Yokohama, and Sendai); Western Japan 60 Hz (Okinawa, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, Hiroshima). Older buildings have non-polarized sockets, in which case American polarized plugs (one prong wider than the other) would not fit. Many buildings do not have the ground pin. Sockets and switches fit in American-sized standard boxes.
Jordan B, C, D, F, G, J

230 V

50 Hz

Kazakhstan C, E, F

220 V

50 Hz

No official standard. Voltage tolerance is 220 V ±10%. Actual voltage may vary (usually 150-200 V) because of unstable electrical system.
Kenya G

240 V

50 Hz

Kiribati I

240 V

50 Hz

Kuwait C, G

240 V

50 Hz

Kyrgyzstan C

220 V

50 Hz

Laos A, B, C, E, F

230 V

50 Hz

Latvia C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Lesotho M

220 V

50 Hz

Libya D, L

127 V

50 Hz

Barca, Benghazi, Darnah, Sabha & Tobruk 230 V.
Lithuania C, F

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Liechtenstein C, J

230 V

50 Hz

Swiss Norm, C only in the form CEE 7/16.
Luxembourg C, F

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Macau S.A.R. of China D, M, G, a small number of F

220 V

50 Hz

No official standards there. However, in the Macao-HK Ferry Pier built by Portuguese Government before handover the standard was E & F. After handover, Macau adopted G in both government and private buildings. Before 1980s, 110V was found in Macau but now obsolete.
Macedonia C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Madagascar C, D, E, J, K

127 V
and
220 V

50 Hz

Madeira C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Malawi G

230 V

50 Hz

Malaysia G (but M for air conditioners and clothes dryers)

240 V

50 Hz

The official mains power voltage is AC 230 V with the tolerance of +10%,-6%.However, the supplied voltage remains at 240 V (except Penang at 230 V), as the supplied voltage is within the allowed tolerance. Type C plugs are very common with audio/video equipment. Plugged into Type G outlets using widely-available adapters or forced in by pushing down the shutter. The latter is widely practiced, although hazardous.
Maldives A, D, G, J, K, L

230 V

50 Hz

Mali C, E

220 V

50 Hz

Malta G

230 V

50 Hz

Martinique C, D, E

220 V

50 Hz

Mauritania C

220 V

50 Hz

Mauritius C, G

230 V

50 Hz

Mexico A, B

127 V

60 Hz

Type B is becoming more common. Voltage can legally vary by +/- 10% (giving a range of 114 to 140 volts). Split phase is commonly available and local electricians are apt to wire both to a type A/B socket to give 240 V for air conditioning or washing machine/dryers.
Micronesia A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Moldova C, F

220-230 V

50 Hz

Compatible with European and former Soviet Union (GOST) standards.
Monaco C, D, E, F

127 V
and
220 V

50 Hz

Mongolia C, E

230 V

50 Hz

Montenegro C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Montserrat (Leeward Is.) A, B

230 V

60 Hz

Morocco C, E

127 V
and
220 V

50 Hz

Conversion to 220 V only underway.
Mozambique C, F, M

220 V

50 Hz

Type M found especially near the border with South Africa, including in the capital, Maputo.
Myanmar/Burma C, D, F, G

230 V

50 Hz

Type G found primarily in better hotels. Also, many major hotels chains are said to have outlets that will take Type I plugs and perhaps other types.
Namibia D, M

220 V

50 Hz

Nauru I

240 V

50 Hz

Nepal C, D, M

230 V

50 Hz

Netherlands C, F

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Netherlands Antilles A, B, F

127 V
and
220 V

50 Hz

St. Martin 120 V, 60 Hz; Saba & St. Eustatius 110 V, 60 Hz, A, maybe B
New Caledonia E

220 V

50 Hz

New Zealand I

230 V

50 Hz

Electricity Regulations 1997 states supply voltage is 230 V ±6%
Nicaragua A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Niger A, B, C, D, E, F

220 V

50 Hz

Nigeria D, G

240 V

50 Hz

Norway C, F

230 V

50 Hz

IT earthing system (most widespread)
TN earthing system (new installations)
TT earthing system (used in some installations in Bergen)
Okinawa A, B

100 V

60 Hz

Military facilities 120 V.
Oman C, G

240 V

50 Hz

Voltage variations common.
Pakistan C, D, M, G

230 V

50 Hz

Official standard is 230 V / 50 Hz. Voltage tolerance is 230 V ±5% (218 V to 242 V). Frequency tolerance 50 Hz ±2% (49 Hz to 51 Hz) But Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) is 240 V / 50 Hz.
Type C and D Plug / Socket are common for low-power devices. Type M Plug / Socket is common for air conditioners and high-power devices. Type G Plug / Socket is less common.
Panama A, B

110 V

60 Hz

Panama City 120 V.
Papua New Guinea I

240 V

50 Hz

Paraguay C

220 V

50 Hz

Peru A, B, C

220 V

60 Hz

Talara 110/220 V; Arequipa 50 Hz
Philippines A, B, C

220 V

60 Hz

Most plugs and outlets are Type A, but some are C. Type B are commonly found in high powered appliances and computers. Sockets and switches are built to USA dimensions and fit USA sized wall boxes. Some areas have 110V as in Baguio.
Poland C, E

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Type C Plugs are common, especially for low-power devices. Type C Soviet sockets could be seen in old houses and in countryside. Industrial appliances use 3-phase 400V AC (formerly 380V AC) supply.
Portugal C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Puerto Rico A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Qatar D, G

240 V

50 Hz

Réunion E

220 V

50 Hz

Romania C, F

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Virtually identical to German standards. Most household sockets still compatible with East European standards (4.0 mm pins). Industrial appliances (washing machines, welding equipment) use 3-phase 400V AC supply.
Russian Federation C, F

220 V

50 Hz

USSR (along with much of Eastern Europe) used type GOST sockets with 4.0 mm pins similar to West European C type plugs instead of the 4.8mm standard used by West European type E/F Plugs. The former Soviet sockets could be seen mainly in old houses and in countryside. Obsolete standard 127 V/50 Hz AC is used in some remote villages. Elsewhere it was replaced in 1970s by the 220V standard. Industrial appliances use 3-phase 380V AC supply.
Rwanda C, J

230 V

50 Hz

St. Kitts and Nevis A, B, D, G

110 V
and
230 V

60 Hz

Region plug is same as United States (2 pin) 110-120 V
St. Lucia (Winward Is.) G

240 V

50 Hz

St. Vincent (Winward Is.) A, C, E, G, I, K

230 V

50 Hz

Sao Tome and Príncipe C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Saudi Arabia A, B, F, G

127 V
and
220 V

60 Hz

Senegal C, D, E, K

230 V

50 Hz

Serbia C, F

220 V

50 Hz

Seychelles G

240 V

50 Hz

Sierra Leone D, G

230 V

50 Hz

Singapore G (but M for air conditioners and clothes dryers)

230 V

50 Hz

Type C is used for audio/video equipment and plug adapters are widely available.
Slovakia C, E

230 V

50 Hz

Slovenia C, F

230 V

50 Hz

3-phase 400 V AC used for heavy duty applications.
South Africa M

220 V

50 Hz

Grahamstown & Port Elizabeth 250 V; also found in King Williams Town
South Korea A, B, C, F (Types A & B are used for 110-volt installations and/or found in very old buildings. Types C & F are used for 220 Volts.)

220 V

60 Hz

Type F is normally found in offices, airports, hotels and homes. Type C (type CEE 7/17) sockets are obsolete as of 2008 but still found in a lot of places. In cases where a Type C socket was replaced with a Type F, the ground contact is often not connected to anything. 220 volt power is distributed by using both “live” poles of a 110 volt system (neutral is not used). 110 V/60 Hz power with plugs A & B were previously used but has already been phased out. Some residents install their own step-down transformers and dedicated circuits, so that they can use 110 V appliances imported from Japan or North America. Most hotels only have 220 V outlets, but some hotels offer both 110 V (Type A or B) and 220 V (Type C or F) outlets. Switches and outlets fit American-sized boxes.
Spain C, F

230 V (formerly 220v)

50 Hz

Sri Lanka D, M, G

230 V

50 Hz

Increased use of type G in new houses/establishments. Mainly in Colombo and high end hotels.
Suriname C, F

127 V

60 Hz

Swaziland M

230 V

50 Hz

Sweden C, F

230 V

50 Hz

Sockets lacking earth are prohibited in new installations.
Switzerland C, J

230 V

50 Hz

C only in the form CEE 7/16.
Tahiti A, B, E

110 V
and
220 V

60 Hz/50 Hz

Marquesas Islands 50 Hz
Taiwan, Republic of China A, B

110 V

60 Hz

Most outlets are Type A. When an outlet is Type B, the ground (earth) holes are usually not connected to anything in older houses. However, in modern houses you’ll find them to be properly grounded. Most appliances have Type A plugs, but some appliances have Type B plugs. The ground prong on the Type B plus is often cut off to make it fit in Type A sockets in older buildings. Sockets and switches are built to USA dimensions and fit USA sized wall boxes. Dedicated sockets provide 220V for air conditioning units.
Tajikistan C, I

220 V

50 Hz

Tanzania D, G

230 V

50 Hz

Tenerife C

220 V

50 Hz

Thailand A, B, C, F, Unearthed I

220 V

50 Hz

Outlets in hotels and most buildings are usually a combination of types B and C which will accept plug types A, B, C and I, while outlets in older buildings are usually type A. Only Unearthed Type I plugs can be used in these combination sockets, earthed type I plugs will not fit. An equal proportion of appliances have type A or C plugs, or B if an Earth connection is required. Type F is mainly for high-powered appliances such as air conditioners, kettles and cookers. A 3-pin plug that only fits in B/C sockets is also seeing increased use, it differs from type B by having all the pins round.
Togo C

220 V

50 Hz

Lome 127 V.
Tonga I

240 V

50 Hz

Trinidad & Tobago A, B

115 V

60 Hz

Tunisia C, E

230 V

50 Hz

Turkey C, F

230 V

50 Hz

Turkmenistan B, F

220 V

50 Hz

Uganda G

240 V

50 Hz

Ukraine C, F

220 V

50 Hz

United Arab Emirates C, D, G

220 V

50 Hz

United Kingdom G (D and M seen in very old installs and specialist applications)

230 V (formerly 240 V)

50 Hz

Voltage tolerance of 230 V +10%/-6% (216.2 V to 253 V), widened to 230 V ±10% (207 V to 253 V) in 2008. The system supply voltage remains centered on 240 V. [14] A “shaver socket” (similar to Type C) is sometimes found in bathrooms that will provide low current to some other plug types. These sometimes have a ~110 V socket and a ~240 V socket in the same unit, or a switch to select voltage for a single socket. The G type socket usually has an on-off switch. IEC 60309 plugs and connectors are used in industrial and construction locations as well as for outdoor use in domestic and other business premises. Plug types D and M were used until the 1960s and are still in preferred use for theatre and TV stage lighting applications due to lack of internal fuse.
United States of America A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Standardized at 120V. Electricity suppliers aim to keep most customers supplied between 114 and 126 V most of the time. 240V/60Hz used for heavy duty applications such as air conditioners, clothes dryers, stoves, ovens, and water heaters. Buildings with more then one branch circuit will have both 120 and 240 V available. Since 1962, Type B outlets are required by code in new construction and renovation. A T-slot Type B is rated for 20 amperes for use in kitchens or other areas using large 120 V appliances.
Uruguay C, F, E+F, L (I only in very old installs)

230 V (formerly 220 V)

50 Hz

Type L is the most common in modern homes and type F is the second as a result of computer use. Neutral and live wires are reversed, as in Argentina.
Uzbekistan C, I

220 V

50 Hz

Vanuatu I

230 V

50 Hz

Venezuela A, B

120 V

60 Hz

Type G found in household 220V service only for air conditioning and some high power appliances.
Vietnam A, C

220 V

50 Hz

Type A is the norm in Southern Vietnam and Type C is the norm in Northern Vietnam (according to the pre-unification border at 17 degrees North). Type G is found only in some new luxury hotels, primarily those built by Singaporean and Hong Kong developers. But Type G is never found in homes, shops, or offices.
Virgin Islands A, B

110 V

60 Hz

Western Samoa I

230 V

50 Hz

Yemen A, D, G

230 V

50 Hz

Zambia C, D, G

230 V

50 Hz

World Electrical Plugs
The original two pin electrical plug and socket were invented by Harvey Hubbell and patented in 1904. The image below shows a variety of the most common worldwide plugs currently in use.

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Mike is a finance industry executive with expertise in test, IT and avionics equipment acquisition, resale, residual valuation, leasing, renting and consignment.
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One Response to Electricity Around the World

  1. dan parmenter says:

    I’m from the UK. We certainly do not use “G” type sockets here. the one labelled “I” is what we use. BS1363 connector.

    What you have labelled “I” is actually not AS/NZS 3112, which looks more like “D”. Probably need to check that legend for serious errors if you ask me.

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