Power Outlets Around the World

One of the most unexpected situations is when you arrive on vacation, want to charge your mobile phone or camera, but the plug doesn't fit the socket. This problem can be solved quite quickly; adapters are sometimes sold directly in hotels or souvenir shops. But it's better to prepare for such a turn of events in advance. Today we will talk about power outlets found in different countries around the world.

Socket Types That Don't Require an Adapter

First, let's look at the standard familiar to us, which is adopted in Russia and Europe - these are Type C and F. These types of sockets are also common in all CIS countries, Asia, and South America. They support voltage 220 – 240 V.

Type E

When traveling through France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, you may encounter Type E sockets. They are compatible with plugs for standard European sockets (C and F), so an adapter is not required. Don't be alarmed by the grounding pin; Type F plugs have a special hole, so our familiar plug will fit perfectly.

Type H

Israel also has its unique sockets - Type H; however, it is fully compatible with Type C plugs and, with some effort, with Type F. If you have a Type F plug, be very careful and cautious, as it will not be easy to insert and remove the plug. Additionally, if you haven't fully removed the plug, the contacts are still live, so be very careful.

Type J

In Switzerland and the microstate of Liechtenstein, Type J sockets are used. They are perfectly compatible with Type C plugs; in principle, they only differ in that Type J has grounding.

With Type F plugs, there will be problems because the diamond-shaped recess will not allow a round plug to be inserted.

Type K

In Denmark and Greenland, Type K is used, which is also compatible with C and F plugs. Fortunately, the socket here is round, so there will be no problems when using Russian plugs.

Socket Types That Require an Adapter

In the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Japan, you will encounter Type A and B sockets. They are designed for voltage 100 – 127 V. It will not be possible to insert our familiar plug into such a socket, so when traveling to the USA, be sure to purchase an adapter. By the way, it can also be bought at the airport upon arrival.

Type G

Those who have traveled to Great Britain already know that the sockets there are very different from what we are used to. This is Type G. It is also found in Ireland, Malta, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Type I

You will definitely need an adapter if you decide to travel to Australia, New Zealand, China, and Argentina. In these countries, Type I sockets are used. They can have two or three (with grounding) pins. In Australia, sockets are often also equipped with a switch.

Type M

South Africa also has its unique sockets; Type M is used there. Although the holes in this type of socket are round, it will still not be possible to insert our familiar plug into it. The distance between the holes is different. Furthermore, since this type of socket is found in only a few African countries, universal adapters often do not fit it. It's not necessary to have many adapters for different sockets. At airports, you can find small shops selling various travel essentials, including universal adapters. In some countries, universal sockets are common, which are suitable for European and North American standard plugs. Such sockets can often be found in Thailand:

If you don't know which specific type of socket is used in a particular country, you can find a detailed table with a list of countries and the sockets you might encounter there by following this link.