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Domestic AC power plugs and sockets allow a connection between the mains (domestic, usually single-phase, AC electrical power) and the appliances commonly used in homes. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Type F Mains power plug & socket The term mains usually refers to the general purpose AC electrical power supply (as in Ive connected the appliance to the mains). The term is not usually used in the US and Canada. ...
The generation of AC electric power is commonly three phase, in which the waveforms of three supply conductors are offset from one another by 120 . ...
An alternating current (AC) is an electrical current, where the magnitude and direction of the current varies cyclically, as opposed to direct current, where the direction of the current stays constant. ...
Transmission lines in Lund, Sweden Electric power, often known as power or electricity, involves the production and delivery of electrical energy in sufficient quantities to operate domestic appliances, office equipment, industrial machinery and provide sufficient energy for both domestic and commercial lighting, heating, cooking and industrial processes. ...
A power plug (mains plug) is a connector that fits into a power point or electrical socket. It has male features, usually brass and often tin or nickel plated, that interface mechanically and electrically to the mains. Such plugs have a live contact, a neutral contact, and an optional earth. In many types of plugs there is no distinction between live and neutral and in a few cases both main pins may be live (see section on live under "the three contacts" for more details on this). A power connector is an electrical connector designed to carry a significant amount of electrical power, usually as DC or low-frequency AC. Some types of RF connector may also carry large amounts of power, but are considered as a separate category. ...
In electrical and mechanical trades and manufacturing, each of a pair of mating connectors or fasteners is conventionally assigned the designation male or female. ...
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. ...
General Name, Symbol, Number tin, Sn, 50 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 14 (IVA), 5, p Density, Hardness 7310 kg/m3, 1. ...
General Name, Symbol, Number nickel, Ni, 28 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10 , 4, d Density, Hardness 8908 kg/m³, 4. ...
A power socket (electrical socket, power point, mains socket, plug-in, outlet, receptacle, or female power connector) is a connection point that delivers mains electricity when a plug is inserted into it. It is the opposite of a plug, and usually has only female features.
Most common household power is "single phase". In some countries two live conductors (3 wire), or two phases from a three phase supply, or even three phases are wired into a home. However in most places only one phase conductor along with the neutral is connected to each household socket. Sockets for three-wire 120/240 volt appliances, with two live connections, a neutral,and ground, are also common in North America. Split phase is a mains electrical supply system mainly used in North America ( which may be incorrectly referred to as two phase). ...
Large equipment with higher power requirements may use three-phase current and have phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3 contacts, an earth contact and in some cases a neutral contact, see Industrial & multiphase power plugs & sockets. Three phase systems have 3 waveforms (usually carrying power) that are 2/3π radians (120 degrees,1/3 of a cycle) offset in time. ...
Industrial power plug is used here to refer to those power connectors that, unlike ordinary mains power plugs, are not used for the average domestic appliance but rather for more heavy-duty applications such as arc welders, cranes, cinemas, large cooking ranges, etc. ...
This article concentrates on single-phase plugs and sockets for common domestic use, but see also unusual and obsolete plugs and sockets. This page covers those mains plugs and sockets which are not in common domestic use but do not count as industrial or multiphase either. ...
Those planning to travel with electrical equipment should also review the electrical travellers' guide. This page is a candidate to be moved to Wikibooks. ...
| Internal wiring | Wiring diagram for British BS 1363 plug
| | Standard wire colours for plugs | | | live | neutral | earth | | EU & Australia | brown | blue | yellow & green | | UK & Australia before 1969 | red | black | green | | United States and Canada (screw colour) | black (gold) | white (silver) | green (green) | | Standard wire colours for wall sockets | | | live | neutral | earth | | EU & Australia | brown or black | blue | yellow & green | | UK | brown or red | blue or black | green/yellow (core is usually bare and should be sleeved at terminations) | | United States and Canada | black (or red) | white | green or bare | | Contents | 1.1 Live
1.2 Neutral
1.3 Earth
BS 1363 (British Standard) is the standard which defines what is colloquially know as the 13 Amp plug, which is the most common type of mains power plug in the British Isles. ...
This diagram shows the wiring of a british type G three pin plug. ...
1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ...
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The three contacts
Live The live contact carries an alternating current. The voltage varies by country, as set by national regulations and industry standards. In a few cases (older installations in Scandinavian countries, the outputs of British site isolation transformers and probably a few other cases) both main conductors may be live, either being two phases from a three-phase system or being from a single-phase transformer with centre-tapped output. Some socket designs do not provide for polarisation and some that do are commonly wired either way round. An alternating current (AC) is an electrical current, where the magnitude and direction of the current varies cyclically, as opposed to direct current, where the direction of the current stays constant. ...
Scandinavia, Fennoscandia, and the Kola Peninsula. ...
Neutral The neutral contact is in most (but not all) cases referenced to the earth and except under fault conditions generally does not pose a danger but is nevertheless treated as live in most installation practices.
The main danger that can be posed by the neutral is it becoming live after a broken neutral in the wiring. Neutral and earth (ground) are strongly related (see Ground (power)). Ground or earth in a mains (AC power) electrical wiring system is a core that exists primarily to help protect against faults. ...
For uses of the term ground or earth in electricity but outside of mains wiring please see Ground (electricity) Ground or earth in a mains (AC power) electrical wiring system is a core that exists primarily to help protect against faults. ...
Earth The earth contact is only intended to carry current when connected to equipment that has developed an insulation fault(except for EMI/RFI filters which do cause a small current down the earth). If a bare live wire or live component in a device gets loose and touches the metal casing of the appliance, somebody touching the case may receive an electric shock. In many countries devices with metal cases must have the case connected to earth ground, so that this current will be carried off to ground. Also, as this is a short circuit, the circuit breaker will open, or the fuse will blow. Since the neutral coductor normally has some small potential to ground due to normal load currents, it cannot be used as a means to bond the equipment case to earth (see Ground (power)). In electricity, current is the rate of flow of charges, usually through a metal wire or some other electrical conductor. ...
For alternate meanings see Short circuit (disambiguation) A short circuit (sometimes known as simply a short) is a fault whereby electricity moves through a circuit in an unintended path, usually due to a connection forming where none was expected. ...
A circuit breaker is a piece of equipment which is designed to protect an electrical apparatus from damage caused by overload or short circuit. ...
200A Industrial fuse. ...
For uses of the term ground or earth in electricity but outside of mains wiring please see Ground (electricity) Ground or earth in a mains (AC power) electrical wiring system is a core that exists primarily to help protect against faults. ...
- Alternative terminology
In the United States, "mains" power is referred to as line power. The live contact may be called live, or hot. The neutral contact may be called cold, or neutral. The earth contact is called ground. In Australia, the live contact is called active.
Live conductors are called phases when there is more than a single phase in use. Pins are also known as prongs, contacts or terminals.
History of plugs & sockets
 U.S. Patent 774,250. The first electric power plug and receptacle. When electricity was first introduced into the domestic environment, it was primarily for lighting. However, as it became a viable alternative to other means of heating and also the development of labour-saving appliances, a means of connection to the supply other than via a light socket was required. The electrical plug and socket was invented by Harvey Hubbell and patented in 1904. Download high resolution version (1660x1018, 65 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...
Download high resolution version (1660x1018, 65 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...
The article on electrical energy is located elsewhere. ...
Harvey Hubbell II (1857 - December 17, 1927), was a US inventor, entrepreneur and industrialist. ...
A patent is a set of exclusive rights granted by a government to an inventor or applicant for a limited amount of time (normally maximum 20 years from the filing date, depending on extension). ...
1904 is a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...
At that time, some electricity companies operated a split-tariff system where the cost of electricity for lighting was lower than that for other purposes, which led to low-power appliances (for example, vacuum cleaners, hair driers, etc.) being connected to the light fitting. The picture to the left shows a 1909 electric toaster with a lightbulb socket plug. 1909 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...
A toaster is a machine for toasting food such as sliced bread and bagels. ...
 Light fitting plug with toaster As the need for safer installations grew, earthed three-contact systems were developed. Copyright info See Talk:Mains power plug for copyright information. ...
Copyright info See Talk:Mains power plug for copyright information. ...
The reason we now have over a dozen different styles of plugs and wall outlets is that many countries preferred to develop plug designs of their own, instead of adopting a common standard. In many countries, there is no single standard, with multiple plug designs in use, creating extra complexity and potential safety problems for users.
However, as shown below, most countries have settled on one of a few common de facto standards; though there are legacy installations of obsolete wiring conventions in most regions of the world. Some buildings have wiring that has been in use for almost a century and which pre-date all modern standards.
World maps by plug/socket & voltage/frequency The outline maps below show the different plug types, voltages and frequencies used around the world, colour-coded for easy reference.
See also List of countries with mains power plugs, voltages & frequencies for specific places.
This is a list of countries and territories, with the plugs, voltages and frequencies they use for providing electrical power to small appliances and some major appliances. ...
 Voltage/Frequency. Click for larger version.
 Plugs. Click for larger version.
Download high resolution version (808x581, 12 KB) Copyright This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Download high resolution version (808x581, 12 KB) Copyright This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Download high resolution version (816x520, 13 KB) Copyright This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Download high resolution version (816x520, 13 KB) Copyright This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Types of plug & sockets Electrical plugs and their sockets differ by country in shape and size. We designate each type by a letter, following US government practice, plus a short comment in parentheses giving its country of origin and number of contacts. Subsections then detail the subtypes used in various parts of the world.
Note that IEC Class I refers to earthed equipment, usually with higher current. IEC Class II refers to unearthed equipment protected by double insulation. See Appliance classes. In the electrical appliance manufacturing industry, the following classes are used to differentiate between the power connection requirements of devices. ...
Type A (American 2-pin)
 A polarised American un-grounded (un-earthed) plug and socket. This plug can only be inserted into the socket in one manner, with the wider pin — the neutral contact — being inserted on the left. - NEMA 1-15
This ungrounded (unearthed) plug with two flat parallel pins is standard in most of North America (including Central America and the Caribbean) on devices not requiring an ground connection, such as lamps and "double-insulated" small appliances. The corresponding sockets are not used in new construction since about 1965, but remain in place in many older homes. Early examples were not polarized, but later ones distinguish the neutral (return) conductor by making it slighly broader than the hot one. When attaching a plug to a cord, it is also useful to remember that the most common type of two-conductor cord for low-power use in North America has smooth insulation on the "hot" side and ribbed insulation on the "neutral" side. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association or NEMA is a U.S.-based association, which was created on September 1, 1926, when the Associated Manufacturers of Electrical Supplies and the Electric Power Club merged. ...
World map showing location of North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is the third largest continent in area and in population after Eurasia and Africa. ...
Central America is the region of North America located between the southern border of Mexico and the northwest border of Colombia, in South America. ...
The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ...
1965 was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ...
- NEMA 2-15, and 2-20
These ungrounded (unearthed) plugs with two flat parallel pins are 240 V variants of the 1-15. The 2-15 has both pins rotated 90 degrees and the 2-20 has one pin rotated 90 degrees. These are both fairly rare types. - JIS 8303, Class II
At first glance, the Japanese plug and socket seem to be identical to NEMA 1-15. However, the Japanese system incorporates tighter dimensional requirements, different marking requirements, and mandatory testing and approval by MITI or JIS. Furthermore, standard wire sizes and the resulting current ratings are different from those used elsewhere in the world. These outlets are also unpolarized - the holes in the sockets are the same size as the smaller hole on newer North American type A (and also B) sockets, and the blades on the plugs match this. Japanese devices should be able to fit into a North American outlet without trouble, but most devices from North America would require an adapter to be able to plug into a Japanese outlet (especially if the device in question has a grounding pin). The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (通商産業省 Tsūsho-sangyō-shō or MITI) was the single most powerful agency in the Japanese government during the 1950s and 1960s. ...
This article is about Japanese Industrial Standards in general; see JIS encoding for the character encoding used in representing the Japanese language for computer software and communication. ...
Type B (American 3-pin)
 An American grounded (earthed) plug. Adaptors (called "cheater plugs") allow the insertion of this class of plug into a ungrounded socket, which lacks the earth connector; the ground lead is brought out of the cheater plug. - NEMA 5-15 / CS22.2, Nº42
This plug has two flat parallel pins and an earthing pin (American standard NEMA 5-15/Canadian standard CSA 22.2, Nº42). It is rated at 15 amperes. This is the plug in the illustration. The earthing pin is longer than the two parallel pins so that the device is earthed before the supply is connected. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
For uses of the term ground or earth in electricity but outside of mains wiring please see Ground (electricity) Ground or earth in a mains (AC power) electrical wiring system is a core that exists primarily to help protect against faults. ...
Homes in the U.S. and Canada are normally supplied with a 3-wire single phase distribution. Lighting circuits and general-purpose outlets, including those illustrated here, are connected to either live leg, and thus supply 120V. Outlets used for 240 V appliances are illustrated at Industrial & multiphase power plugs & sockets, and there is also valuable information at National Electrical Code (US) Split phase is a mains electrical supply system mainly used in North America ( which may be incorrectly referred to as two phase). ...
Industrial power plug is used here to refer to those power connectors that, unlike ordinary mains power plugs, are not used for the average domestic appliance but rather for more heavy-duty applications such as arc welders, cranes, cinemas, large cooking ranges, etc. ...
The National Electrical Code is Part 70 of a set of codes and standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). ...
Some people in the US — particularly in the film and theatre industry — call this (and also the 2-pin domestic "A" version) an "Edison plug", presumably in reference to the Edison power company, which supplies power to most New York theaters and thus is used in theater circles to refer to a "generic" power plug rather than a more specialized theatrical connector. Consolidated Edison Company of New York (NYSE: ED) (Con Edison, or Con Ed) is a utility company in New York state, USA. Con Edison is a regulated utility that provides electric service in New York City and most of Westchester County, New York. ...
- JIS 8303, Class I
Japan uses a type B that differs from its American counterpart in the same way that the type A one does. It is, however, much less common. - Latin America
In Latin America it is common for people to have North American class 1 appliances with type B plugs and only have type A sockets in their property. A common response to this is simply to cut the earth pin off.
Type C (European 2-pin)
 The CEE 7/16 plug is the most widely used plug in much of Europe. This type of plug is not earthed. - CEE 7/16 (Europlug)
This two-wire plug is unearthed and has two round, 4 mm pins, which usually converge slightly. It is popularly known as the Europlug which is described in CEE 7/16. This is probably the single most widely used international plug. It will mate with any socket that accepts 4.0 mm round contacts spaced 19 mm apart. It is commonly used in all countries of Europe except the UK, Ireland, and (former) UK dependencies such as Malta. It is also used in various parts of the developing world. This plug is generally limited for use in class II applications that require 2.5 A or less. Because it can be inserted in either direction into the socket, it is unpolarised (that is, live and neutral are connected at random). This plug is also defined in Italian standard CEI 23-5. Copyright This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Copyright This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
World map showing location of Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ...
The europlug is a flat, non-wirable, two-pole domestic AC power plug with cord, designed for voltages up to 250 V and currents up to 2. ...
World map showing location of Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ...
- CEE 7/17
This peculiar unpolarised plug might easily be categorised under E or F. It has two pins like 7/16 does, but they are 4.8 mm in diameter like types E and F, and also a round, plastic or rubber base that stops the plug being inserted into small sockets that 7/16 can fit into. Instead, only large round sockets such as those intended for types E and F can take it. The base has holes in it to accommodate both side contacts and socket earth pins. Class II applications. Also defined in CEI 23-5. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
- BS 4573
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, there is a special version of the type C plug for use with shavers (electric razors) in bath or shower rooms. It has 5 mm diameter pins on 16.6 mm pitch, and the sockets for this plug can often take CEE 7/16, US and/or Australian plugs. They are also often capable of supplying either 230 V or 115 V. In wet zones, they must contain an isolating transformer compliant with BS 3535. Thumbnail of uncropped version Cropped version of Image:UKShaverSocket. ...
A razor is an edge tool (primarily, used in shaving). ...
The Transformers toys, and the related comics and animated television series which have run from the 1980s onwards. ...
- Sockets
 unearthed socket that can take Schuko and French plugs Some Type C sockets can only take 4 mm pins or have plastic barriers in place to prevent Schuko or French plugs entering however many can take 4.8 mm pins and have plenty of room for a 4.8 mm pin round Schuko or French plug to be inserted
Download high resolution version (1294x650, 87 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...
Download high resolution version (1294x650, 87 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...
Type D (Old British 3-pin) - BS 546, 5 A
India has standardised on a plug which was originally defined in British Standard 546. It has three large round pins in a triangular pattern, and is now almost exclusively used in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Namibia and Hong Kong. However, this 5 ampere plug, along with its 2 A cousin, is sometimes used in the UK for centrally-switched domestic lighting circuits, in order to distinguish them from normal power circuits. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
British Standards is the new name of the British Standards Institute and is part of BSI Group which also includes a testing organisation. ...
- BS 546, 15 A
 This plug is sometimes referred to as type M, but it is in fact merely the 15 A version of the plug above, which it resembles, though its pins are much larger: 7.05 mm × 21.1 mm. Live and neutral are spaced 25.4 mm apart, and earth is 28.6 mm away from each of them. Although the preceding type is standard in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Namibia, the 15 A version is also used for larger appliances. Some sockets can take both types of plugs . Some countries like South Africa use it as the main domestic plug and socket type, where sockets almost always have an on-off switch built into them. The Type M is almost universally used in the UK for dimmable theatre and architectural lighting installations. It is also often used for non-dimmed but centrally controlled sockets within such installations. The main reason for doing this is that fused plugs, while convenient for domestic wiring (as they allow 32 A socket circuits to be used safely), are not convenient if you have extension cords powering equipment in difficult-to-access locations
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Type E (French 2-pin, female earth) - French type E
France, Belgium and some other countries have standardised on a socket which is not compatible with the CEE 7/4 socket (type F) that is standard in Germany and other continental European countries. The reason for incompatibility is that earthing in the E socket is accomplished with a round male pin permanently mounted in the socket. The plug itself is similar to C except that it is round and has the addition of a female contact to accept the earthing pin in the socket. It has two round pins measuring 4.8 × 19 mm, spaced 19 mm apart. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 680 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...
The pins are slightly thicker than those of type C; as a consequence, they do not fit into type L sockets, but may be generally forced into them (care must be taken when pulling out the plug not to pull the socket as well).
Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth) - CEE 7/4
 Plug F, known as CEE 7/4 and commonly called a "Schuko plug", is like E except that it has two earthing clips on the sides of the plug instead of a female earth contact. The Schuko connection system is, of course, unpolarised. It is used in applications up to 16 amps. Above that, equipment must either be wired permanently to the mains or connected via another higher power connector such as the IEC 309 system. Download high resolution version (1043x435, 244 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...
Double Schuko socket with one plug inserted CEE 7/4 Schuko plug Schuko (IPA: /ʃuko/) is a widespread name for a type of plugs and sunken sockets, also frequently referred to as Type F, which is often found in Continental and Eastern Europe but exluding France and belgium which use...
Industrial power plug is used here to refer to those power connectors that, unlike ordinary mains power plugs, are not used for the average domestic appliance but rather for more heavy-duty applications such as arc welders, cranes, cinemas, large cooking ranges, etc. ...
"Schuko" is an abbreviation for the German word Schutzkontakt, which means "Protective (that is, earthed) contact".
- Gost 7396
The countries of the CIS use a standard plug and socket similar to the Schuko standard. The CIS stanadard is in Russian Standard Gost 7396. Contacts are also 19 mm apart, but the diameter of these pins is 4.0 mm (like C) instead of 4.8 mm (E and F). It is possible to mate Russian plugs with Schuko outlets, but Russian sockets will not mate with type E and F plugs as the outlets have smaller hole diameters than the pins of type E and F. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (in Russian: Содружество Независимых Государств (СНГ) - Sodruzhestvo Nezavisimykh Gosudarstv) is a confederation or alliance consisting of 11 of the 15 former Soviet Republics, the exceptions being the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), and Georgia. ...
Many official standards in Eastern Europe are virtually identical to the Schuko standard. Furthermore, one of the protocols governing the reunification of Germany provided that the DIN and VDE standards would prevail without exception. The former East Germany was required to conform to the Schuko standard. It appears that most if not all of the Eastern European countries generally use the Schuko standard internally but, until recently, they exported appliances to the Soviet Union with the Soviet standard plug installed. Because the volumes of appliance exports to the Soviet Union were large, the Soviet plug has found its way into use in Eastern Europe as well. Eastern Europe is, by convention, that part of Europe from the Ural and Caucasus mountains in the East to an arbitrarily chosen boundary in the West. ...
East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR), German Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR), was a Communist state that existed from 1949 to 1990 in the former Soviet occupation zone of Germany. ...
Type E & F hybrid - CEE 7/7
In order to bridge the differences between sockets E and F, the CEE 7/7 plug was developed: it has earthing clips on both sides to mate with the CEE 7/4 socket and a female contact to accept the earthing pin of the type E socket. Nowadays, when appliances are sold with type E/F plugs attached, the plug is CEE 7/7 and non-rewirable. This means that the plugs are identical in countries like France and Germany: only the sockets are now different. One is only likely to come across type E/F plugs that are not compatible with the other type if for some reason a cheap replacement plug has been attached to a cord that originally had another plug. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Note that the CEE 7/7 plug is polarised when used with a type E outlet. The plug is rated at 16 A. Above that, equipment must either be wired permanently to the mains or connected via another higher power connector such as the IEC 309 system. Industrial power plug is used here to refer to those power connectors that, unlike ordinary mains power plugs, are not used for the average domestic appliance but rather for more heavy-duty applications such as arc welders, cranes, cinemas, large cooking ranges, etc. ...
Type G (British 3-pin) - BS 1363
This plug has three rectangular prongs that form a triangle. Live and neutral are 4 × 6 × 18 mm with 9 mm of insulation (the insulation ensures that even small fingers cannot touch any live part of the prongs while unplugging an appliance), and spaced 22 mm apart. Earth is 4 × 8 × 23 mm. British Standard BS 1363 requires use of a three pin fused plug for all connections to the power mains. On plugs for class II, two-wire appliances the earth pin is often plastic. This is a British three pin plug and socket. ...
This is a British three pin plug and socket. ...
BS 1363 (British Standard) is the standard which defines what is colloquially know as the 13 Amp plug, which is the most common type of mains power plug in the British Isles. ...
In the electrical appliance manufacturing industry, the following classes are used to differentiate between the power connection requirements of devices. ...
The term plastics covers a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymerization products. ...
The fuse in the plug is chosen to match the current taken by the appliance, from 3 A to 13 A. 200A Industrial fuse. ...
BS 1363 was published in 1962 and since that time it has gradually replaced the earlier standard plugs and sockets (type D) (BS 546). 1962 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...
This very safe system is used in the UK and many of its former colonies. See BS 1363 for further information on safety features, where it is used, and more. BS 1363 (British Standard) is the standard which defines what is colloquially know as the 13 Amp plug, which is the most common type of mains power plug in the British Isles. ...
Type H (Israeli 3-pin) - SI 32
This plug, defined in SI 32, is unique to Israel and is incompatible with all other sockets. It has two flat pins like the type B plug, but they form a V-shape rather than being parallel like B plugs. Rated at 16 A, it also has an earthing pin. Visitors to Israel will find that in practice, sockets are manufactured with widenings in the middle of the V-shape-oriented slots for the energised prongs. This allows the type H socket to accommodate type C plugs. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Type I (Australian 2/3-pin) - AS 3112
This plug, used in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, has an earthing pin and two flat pins forming a V-shape. There is an unearthed version of this plug as well, with only two flat V-aligned pins. These flat blades measure 6.5 by 1.6 mm and are set 30° to the vertical on a nominal pitch of 13.7 mm. It is easy to bend them straight with pliers to force them into American sockets, although this is not advised due to the differences in both voltage and frequency. Wall sockets almost always have switches on them for extra safety, as in the UK. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
A variant plug with a slightly longer, wider and thicker earth pin is used for devices drawing up to 15 ampères; sockets supporting this pin will also accept 10 A plugs.
Although the above plug looks very similar to the one used in Israel (type H), both plugs are not compatible. Australia's standard plug/socket system is described in SAA document AS 3112 and is used in applications up to 10 A. As of 2003, the latest major update is AS/NZS 3112:2000, which mandated insulated pins by 2005.
- CPCS-CCC
Although there are slight differences (the pins are 1 mm longer) the Australian plug mates with the socket used in the People's Republic of China (mainland China). The standard for Chinese plugs and sockets was set out in GB 2099.1–1996 and GB 1002–1996. As part of China's commitment for entry into the WTO, the new CPCS (Compulsory Product Certification System) has been introduced, and compliant Chinese plugs have been awarded the CCC (China Compulsory Certification) Mark by this system. The plug is three wire, grounded, rated at 10 A, 250 V and used for Class 1 applications. This is the official CCC (China Compulsory Certification) Mark. ...
This is the official CCC (China Compulsory Certification) Mark. ...
For other uses of the initials WTO, see WTO (disambiguation). ...
- IRAM 2073
The Argentine plug is a three-wire, earthed plug rated at 10 A, 250 V used in Class 1 applications in Argentina and Uruguay.
This plug is similar in appearance to the Australian and Chinese plugs. The pins are 1 mm longer than those of the Australian version and there are slight differences in the specified body dimensions.
The most important difference lies in how the Argentine plug is wired: the positions of the live and neutral contact pins are reversed from those of the Australian plug. With devices conforming to current standards this should not matter too much in practice as neutral is generally treated with the same care as live in appliance design. However with older or non-complying equipment, using for example single pole switches to break only the live conductor rather than both live and neutral, this difference can be dangerous.
Type J (Swiss 3-pin) - SEV 1011
Switzerland has its own standard which is described in SEV 1011. This plug is similar to C, except that it has the addition of an earth pin off to one side. Swiss sockets can take europlugs (CEE 7/16). This connector system is rated for use in applications up to 16 amperes. Above 16 A, equipment must be either wired permanently to the electrical supply system with appropriate branch circuit protection or connected to the mains with an appropriate high power industrial connector. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This type of socket can also be sporadically encountered in buildings in Spain, where they may be erroneously referred to as enchufes americanos — American sockets.
Switzerland also has a two-pin plug, with the same pin shape, size and spacing as the SEV 1011's live and neutral pins, but the hexagonal form factor is more flattened. It fits into both Swiss sockets (round and hexagonal) and CEE 7/16 sockets and is rated for up to 10 A.
Type K (Danish 3-pin) - Afsnit 107-2-D1
The Danish standard is described in Afsnit 107-2-D1. The plug is similar to F except that it has a earthing pin instead of earthing clips. The Danish socket will also accept the CEE 7/4, CEE 7/7, CEE 7/16 or CEE 7/17 plugs; however, there is no earthing connection with these plugs because a male earth pin is required on the plug. The correct plug must be used in Denmark for safety reasons. A variation of this plug intended for use only on surge protected computer circuits has been introduced. The current rating on both plugs is 10 A. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Type L (Italian 3-pin) The Italian earthed plug/socket standard, CEI 23-16/VII, includes two styles rated at 10 A and 16 A and differ in terms of contact diameter and spacing. Because they can be inserted in either direction at random, both are unpolarised. CEE 7/16 (type C) plugs are also in common use. Appliances with CEE 7/7 plugs are often sold in Italy, but not every socket can take them. An adaptor is sometimes supplied to fit the large-diameter pin CEI 23-16/VII sockets, in the case of washing machines for example. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
- CEI 23-16/VII, 10 A style
The 10 ampere style is like C except that it is earthed by means of a central earthing pin. Italian sockets designed to accept the Schuko plugs often have an extra hole in the centre so that 10 A type L plugs can also be inserted. These plugs are otherwise incompatible with any other socket. This is the plug in the illustrations.
This plug is relatively standardised in Libya, Ethiopia, and Chile and is found randomly throughout North Africa, and occasionally in old buildings in Spain.
- CEI 23-16/VII, 16 A style
The 16-amp style is even more idiosyncratic. The pins are a couple of mm further apart, and all three are slightly thicker. The sockets for this often have special holes that can take the 10 A plugs and CEE 7/16 as well. The packaging on these plugs in Italy may claim they are a "North European" type. They were also referred to as industriale ("industrial") although this is not a correct definition. Sockets are also sold that accept all three types of plug: CEE 7/7 ('German'), CEI 23-16/VII 16 A (large-diameter pins), and 23-16/VII 10 A (small-diameter pins). A millimetre (American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is an SI unit of length that is equal to one thousandth of a metre. ...
Type M (see D) Type M is used to describe the 15 A version of D.
Safety notes - Safety note for mainland European plug types C, E, F, J, K, & L
Many European countries use the same basic two-pin plug designs but extended them to be earthed in different ways. Thus it is fairly common to find plug and socket combinations where the live and neutral pins will mate, but the earth pin will not. This also applies if a European plug is forced into a UK socket. Earth connections on European sockets are also sometimes absent or unreliable, especially in old buildings where earthed sockets have been installed on older electrical installations that did not have earth connections. - Safety note for developing countries
No precise information can be given about electrical systems in developing countries. Even information in this article is to be taken with a pinch of salt due to the fact that formal standards, where they even exist, tend to be ignored. Voltages and frequencies may vary greatly, with different contractors installing different systems at different times. Villages may have no power supply; in towns and cities, different voltages and frequencies may even be supplied to the same building. Earth contacts, where they exist, may not really be connected to the ground, and should not be trusted. Caution is advised. A developing country is a country with low average income compared to the world average. ...
(With) a grain of salt is a literal translation of an ancient Latin phrase, (cum) grano salis. ...
A village is a human settlement commonly found in rural areas. ...
A street in Ynysybwl, Wales, relatively stereotypical of a small town A town is usually an urban area which is not considered to rank as a city. ...
A city is an urban area, differentiated from a town, village, or hamlet by size, population density, importance, or legal status. ...
See also DC plug RANDOM DC power supply plug, and particularly is used for one common type of cylindrical two-conductor plug available in a range of sizes and used to power small pieces of electronic equipment. ...
In the electrical appliance manufacturing industry, the following classes are used to differentiate between the power connection requirements of devices. ...
The article on electrical energy is located elsewhere. ...
Transmission lines in Lund, Sweden Electric power, often known as power or electricity, involves the production and delivery of electrical energy in sufficient quantities to operate domestic appliances, office equipment, industrial machinery and provide sufficient energy for both domestic and commercial lighting, heating, cooking and industrial processes. ...
An extension cord (also known as a power extender or an extension lead) is a length of flexible electrical cable (flex) with a plug on one end and one or more sockets on the other end (usually of the same type as the plug). ...
A telephone plug is a plug which allows a telephone to connect to the local telephone network. ...
A power connector is an electrical connector designed to carry a significant amount of electrical power, usually as DC or low-frequency AC. Some types of RF connector may also carry large amounts of power, but are considered as a separate category. ...
A mains cable (International English) or power cord (American English) is cable that temporarily connects an electrical appliance to an electrical power source. ...
A TN-C-S earthing system is one where where earth and neutral are combined in the supply wiring but are separate in the installation. ...
References - IEC/TR 60083, a 359-page technical report that summarizes the national standards for domestic AC connectors up to 440 V used in IEC member countries.
- CEE Publication 7 (1963), a predecessor of IEC/TR 60083, summarizing the domestic AC connectors of continental Europe.
A technical report (also: scientific report) is a document that describes the progress or results of technical or scientific research, or the state of a technical or scientific research problem. ...
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a standards organization dealing with electrical, electronic and related technologies. ...
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