Electrical systems

.               Universal Plug Adaptor

Electrical systems differ around the world - both in voltage and less critically, frequency. The physical interface (plugs and sockets) are also different and often incompatible. However, travellers with electrical appliances can take a few steps to ensure that they can be safely used at their destination. 

              Voltage and Frequency

 

Map of the world coloured by voltage and frequency

Start by taking a look at the back of the device you want to use. If it says something like "100-240V, 50/60 Hz", it will work anywhere in the world with the right plugs. If you've got both covered, you can skip to the next section. If not, keep reading.

Dealing with electricity differences can be daunting, but it actually isn't too hard. There are only two main types of electric systems used around the world, with varying physical connections:

• 100-127 volt, at 60 hertz frequency (in general: North and Central Americas, Western Japan)
• 220-240 volt, at 50 hertz frequency (in general: the rest of the world, with some exceptions)

Occasionally, you will find 100-127 volts at 50 Hz, such as in Tokyo, Madagascar, and some Carribbean islands. On the other hand, there's 220-240 volts at 60 Hz, such as in South Korea, Peru, Philippines some states of Brazil and Guyana. A few other countries using 60 Hz are internally divided, with 100-127 volts in some locations, and 220-240 volts in others, such as in Brazil, Some areas in the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia. Be extra careful each time you travel to a new destination within these countries, and ask about the voltage. Be aware of multiphase electrical systems (see below under Large Appliance Power).

If the voltage and frequency for your device is the same as where you are travelling, then you need to worry only about the physical plug. (The small difference between 110V and 120V is within the tolerances of most electrical devices. Likewise for 220V and 240V.)

If the voltage provided by the local supply is not within the range accepted by your device, then you will need a transformer or converter to convert the voltage. Most travel accessory sources offer them and come with several plug adapters to solve all but the most exotic needs. An overview of power sockets and powerplugs used around the World.

          Plug And Adapters 

Plug types

Map of the world coloured by type of plug used

 A device that lets you insert a plug into a different socket is an adapter: these are small, cheap and safe. For example, between Britain and Germany, you need only an adapter. You stick your British plug in the adapter, which connects the rectangular phase/live and neutral prongs to the round German ones and puts the ground where the German outlet expects it. Then, you're good to go.

Unfortunately, there are many different plugs in the world. The three most widespread standards are the following:

The "American" & "Japanese" (Type A or B) plug, with two vertical pins

The "European" (Type C or F) plug, with two round pins

The "British" (Type G) plug, with three rectangular pins

If your device has one of these plugs and you can adapt it to the others, you have 90% of the world covered. (The main exceptions are Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and parts of China and Uruguay, which use a Type I plug with two slanted pins.) Adapters between Type A and Type C and from C toG are tiny and cheap; converting Type A into G or Type G into anything else, on the other hand, needs a bulkier model.

For hobbyists: if you can't find an adapter, and you're staying for a longer time, just buy a separate plug at your destination, remove the existing plug, and attach the new one. Unlike adapters, plugs are always available, and they're generally cheaper too. Caution: try this only if you know what you're doing! (Fire and/or electrocution are possible if you are inexperienced.)

As a last resort, a Type C plug can be forced into a Type G socket without any converter at all if you ignore what your mother told you and stick a pen or similar pointy object into the center (ground) hole, which fools the socket into thinking a ground pin has been inserted and opens up the other holes. (This is, in fact what C-to-G adapters do, but they also add a necessary fuse between the live contact of the socket and the live pin of the plug.) Disable the power to the socket and try to use something non-conductive (a dry non-metallic object) to do this! Type G plugs and converters, unlike any other type used anywhere in the world have fuses in them. This is absolutely necessary because in countries which use Type G plugs, up to an entire floor of a building may be fed from a single very strong fuse or breaker, unlike in other countries where very many weaker fuses or breakers would be used. This means that in the event of all but the most extreme electrical fault, the fuse/breaker is so strong that it is very unlikely to blow, which is extremely hazardous. It is unlikely, but possible, that a type C plug may be damaged by inserting it into a type G socket, however the socket will not be damaged.

There's one more complication to consider: any two-pin socket is ungrounded, but all three-pin plugs are grounded. Trying to get grounding to work makes life more difficult, as any of sockets C, D, E, F, H, J, K or L will happily accept the ungrounded plug C but will not work with any grounded variant other than their own. Do not use an adapter to turn a three-pin into a two-pin: this will disable grounding, potentially leaving you vulnerable to electrocution and other electrical nastiness.

A last word of warning: many developing countries use multi-plug sockets that accept (say) both Type A and Type C. Don't assume the voltage is correct just because the plug fits, since a Thai Type A+C socket still carries 220V and may destroy American (110V) Type A devices.