Wanderlust World Wanderlust World When traveling to a different country, it is important to know the types of residential electrical outlets that are standard in that country so that you can plan accordingly. More specifically, if you are traveling to a country that uses 220v outlets, it is important to know the various types of receptacles you may find so that you can bring the appropriate adapters, and so that you may know whether or not it is safe to use your electrical devices on such receptacles. According to Travel-images.com, adapters don't convert voltage or frequency, so the wrong equipment on the wrong receptacle can permanently damage your equipment or cause injury.
This plug has two parallel flat pins. According to Electricaloutlet.org, it is found in most of North America and on the east coast of South America on smaller devices that do not require a ground connection.
This plug is similar to Type A, with two flat parallel blades, but features a round ground, or earth pin, that grounds the device before the power is connected. Also, the live blade is not as wide as the neutral blade. According to electricaloutlet.org Type B is found in all the countries that have Type A except Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Dominican Republic, Korea, Liberia, Maldives, Peru, St. Vincent, Tahiti, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen. Also found in Azores, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago.
This plug is the most common plug in Europe, and is therefore commonly known as the "Europlug." It features two unearthed plugs and is found throughout continental Europe, parts of the Middle East, and much of Africa, South America, central Asia, and the former Soviet republics, according to Electricaloutlet.org.
This plug, also known as the "Old English Plug," features three large round pins in a triangular position. It was standard in the UK through 1945, according to Electricoutlet.org. Today, it can be found in all former British colonies.
This plug is similar to Type E except for its two earth clips on the side instead of a female earth contact. It is known commonly as a "Schuko" plug, which means "protective contact plug," according to Electricoutlet.org. It can be found throughout Europe and the Middle East.
This plug is a British, 3-prong plug with three rectangular blades in a triangular shape. It also has a protective fuse inside for protection against high-current circuits. It can be found throughout the UK and all former British colonies.
This plug has two flat, slanted blades that form an inverted V shape, as well as a grounding blade. It is found throughout Australia and New Zealand.
This plug features a spade grounding pin and two round pins. It is like Type E, except for it having an earth pin rather than an earth hole on the pin, and an earth hole rather than earth pin on the socket, according to Electricoutlet.org. It can be found in Bangladesh, Denmark, Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Guinea, Madagascar, Maldives, St. Vincent, Senegal, Tunisia.
This plug has two round pins and a round grounding pin in a straight line. The live and neutral pins can be inserted in either direction. It can be found in Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Italy, Libya, Maldives, Syria, Tunisia, Uruguay.
With three circular plugs, this plug is a larger version of the Type D receptacle. It can be found in Hong Kong, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland.