Guide to power plugs

B2B Guide · Export · OEM · International Cables

Mains plugs worldwide – plug types, mains voltage & approvals

Which mains plug is used in which country? This overview links plug types A to O with key target markets, typical mains voltages and frequencies, as well as relevant standards and certification marks.

To select the correct international power cable, the destination country, mains plug, mains voltage, frequency, protective earth, current consumption, cable type, conductor cross-section, cable length, IEC appliance connector and product-specific approvals must all be compatible.

Find country & plug type International power cables Determine IEC appliance plug

How to select the right international power cable in 6 steps

This sequence reduces the risk of incorrect orders and is particularly useful for mass-produced devices, international roll-outs, OEM projects and repeat procurement.

01 · TARGET MARKET Determine the country Specify the target country or specific region.

02 · POWER PLUG Select plug type: Determine type A–O or a specific NEMA system.

03 · MAINS Voltage & Frequency Check that the equipment is suitable for the local mains supply.

04 · PROTECTION CLASS Protective earth? Determine whether a 2-pole or earthed connection cable is required.

05 · CABLE Cross-section & Length Match current draw, AWG/mm² and cable length.

06 · DEVICE SIDE: IEC & Approval – Check C7, C5, C13, C15, C17, C19 and relevant certification.

Example: UK – Type G / BS 1363 → 230 V / 50 Hz → Check power requirements and protective earth conductor → Select suitable cable → e.g. IEC C13 → Check fuse rating and product-specific approval.

Plug types A to O at a glance

Internationale Steckdosen und Netzstecker Typ A bis Typ O

Quickly identify types A–O

The plug shape is for guidance only. When ordering, the destination country, electrical specifications and approval status of the specific power cable are crucial.

Type A · USA, Canada, Japan · NEMA 1-15P

Type B · USA, Canada · NEMA 5-15P

Type C · Euro plug · 2-pin

Type D · India · earthed

Type E · France, Belgium, etc.

Type F · Schuko · Germany and others

Type G · UK · BS 1363

Type H · Israel

Type I · Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina

Type J · Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Type K · Denmark

Type L · Italy

Type M · South Africa / India

Type N · Brazil · NBR 14136

Type O · Thailand · TIS 166-2549

Type E and Type F: The widely used CEE-7/7 plug combines the safety contact features of the Type E and Type F systems and is often referred to as Type E+F.

Mains plugs by country – plug type, mains voltage and approval

The following table is intended for technical pre-selection. Mains ratings are typical nominal values. For mass-produced devices, B2B procurement and export, the technical data and approvals for the specific product are decisive.

Country / Market	Plug type	Typical mains	Standard / Certification mark	MAG selection
Germany / Europe	Type C · Type E+F · CEE 7/7 · CEE 7/17	230 V / 50 Hz	CEE / EN 50075 · VDE / ENEC depending on version	Mains cable Europe →
USA / Canada	Type A / B · NEMA 1-15P / NEMA 5-15P	typ. 120 V / 60 Hz	UL / CSA / cULus · Observe AWG	US/Canada power cable →
Great Britain / UK	Type G · BS 1363	230 V / 50 Hz	BS 1363 · ASTA or BSI/Kitemark depending on the item · Fuse	UK power cable →
Saudi Arabia	Type G	typ. 230 V / 60 Hz	SASO · national requirements per item	Check Type G version
Hong Kong	Type G	220 V / 50 Hz	Local safety requirements per item	Check Type G version
Singapore	Type G	230 V / 50 Hz	SS 145 · SAFETY Mark for each product version	Check Type G version
Switzerland / Liechtenstein	Type J · suitable 2-pole CH versions	230 V / 50 Hz	SN 441011 · Check product variant	Swiss mains cable →
Australia / New Zealand	Type I	230 V / 50 Hz	AS/NZS 3112 · SAA or approval as per item	Australian power cable →
China	Type I / Type A depending on application	220 V / 50 Hz	CCC depending on product variant	China power cable →
Japan	Type A / B · JIS	100 V / 50 or 60 Hz	JIS C 8303 · PSE / JET per item	Japan power cable →
India	Type C / D / M depending on application	230 V / 50 Hz	BIS per product variant	India power cable →
Brazil	Type N	Regional 127 / 220 V · 60 Hz	NBR 14136 · INMETRO per item	Brazil power cable →
South Korea	KS-C-8305-based versions	220 V / 60 Hz	KC / KTL per item	Korea power cable →
Italy	Type L	230 V / 50 Hz	IMQ / national requirements per item	Italy power cable →
Denmark	Type K	230 V / 50 Hz	DEMKO / national requirements per item	Denmark power cable →
Israel	Type H	230 V / 50 Hz	SII per item	Israel power cable →
South Africa	Type M / SANS-164 versions per application	230 V / 50 Hz	SANS 164 · SABS per product variant	South Africa power cables →
Argentina	Type I	220 V / 50 Hz	IRAM / local approval per item	Argentina power cable →
Thailand	Type O	230 V / 50 Hz	TIS 166-2549 per item	Thailand power cable →

Important: A mechanically compatible plug design does not automatically mean that the power cable is approved for the target market. Particularly for international series projects, the mains plug, cable, IEC device end and approvals should always be checked together.

Other important countries using plug type G

Type G is used not only in the UK but also in numerous other European, Asian and Arab markets. Although the plug shape is the same, different national requirements may apply.

Ireland · Malta · Cyprus

Type G is also common in these European markets.

Malaysia · Brunei

Type G is widely used. Check national requirements and specific product designs as well.

UAE · Qatar · Bahrain

Key Type G markets for international equipment deliveries and OEM projects.

Oman · Kuwait

The Type G plug system is also widely used in these markets.

Visually identifying mains plugs – MAG reference images

These images help with the quick identification of international mains plugs. Next to each plug type, you will find a brief technical description as well as a direct link to the relevant MAG guide or the corresponding power cable category.

Type C · Euro plug

2-pin mains plug without a protective earth conductor. Widely used in Germany and many European countries.

Suitable power cables with Euro plugs for Class II protected appliances.

Type C power cable →

CEE 7/7 Schutzkontaktstecker Typ E und Typ F

CEE 7/7 · Type E+F

Earthed safety plug for numerous European markets. Combines the safety features of Type E and Type F.

Suitable earthed mains cables for appliances with a protective earth conductor in Germany and Europe.

CEE 7/7 power cables →

Type A · NEMA 1-15P

2-pin North American mains plug without a protective earth conductor. Typically used for lighter appliances and power supplies.

Select USA/Canada power cables with suitable IEC and appliance connectors.

US power cables →

Type B · NEMA 5-15P

Standard earthed mains plug for the USA and Canada. Commonly found on IT, office and electronic equipment.

Select suitable NEMA 5-15P power cables according to IEC connector, AWG gauge and length.

NEMA 5-15P power cables →

NEMA 5-15P Hospital Grade Netzstecker Green Dot

NEMA 5-15P Hospital Grade

Special North American plug design for relevant medical and professional applications.

Green Dot, Hospital Grade, requirements and typical areas of application in the MAG guide.

Hospital Grade Guide → US power cables →

NEMA 6-20P · 20 A / 250 V

North American mains plug for higher-power 250 V applications in IT, laboratory, testing and industrial environments.

Differences compared to NEMA 5-15P, as well as current-carrying capacity and suitable cable specifications, in the guide.

NEMA 6-20P guide → US power cables →

Type G · BS 1363

3-pin British mains plug with fuse. Also widely used in numerous other countries.

Countries, standards and approvals such as ASTA, BSI, SASO and SAFETY Mark are covered in the Type G guide.

Type G guide → UK power cables →

Type J · Switzerland

Swiss mains plug system for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Based on the national standard SN 441011.

Plug types, variants and key differences in the comprehensive Switzerland guide.

Switzerland Guide → Swiss power cables →

Type L · Italy

Italian 3-pin plug system. Different current ratings apply depending on the application.

Select suitable Italian power cables based on the appliance plug, length and product version.

Italian power cables →

Type K · Denmark

Danish earthed plug system for corresponding national appliance sockets.

Select Danish power cables with suitable IEC appliance connectors directly.

Denmark power cables →

Type H · Israel

Israeli 3-pin plug system. For professional applications, the specific product variant must be checked.

Select suitable Israel power cables according to IEC appliance socket type and length.

Israel power cables →

Indien Netzstecker Typ D und Typ M im Vergleich

Type D / Type M · India

Both systems are three-pin and earthed, but differ significantly in dimensions and current rating.

Types C, D and M, as well as BIS, and how to make the right choice in the India guide.

India guide → India power cables →

Type I · Australia / New Zealand

Flat-pin plug system for Australia and New Zealand. Similar plug types are also found in other markets.

Select suitable power cables for Australia based on IEC connector, length and certification.

Australia power cables →

Type N · Brazil

Brazilian plug system in accordance with NBR 14136. Please also note the regional variations in mains voltage.

Select a Brazil power cable with the appropriate product specification and INMETRO certification.

Brazil power cables →

Thailand Netzstecker und Steckdose Typ O

Type O · Thailand

Thai national plug system. For standard devices, the specific TIS-compliant version is relevant.

Select suitable Thailand power cables and available device connectors directly.

Thailand power cable →

Approvals and test marks for international power cables

National standards, certifications and test marks play an important role in international power cables. The specific certification requirements depend on the target market, product, device and area of application.

USA / Canada

Check for UL, CSA or cULus certification, as well as cable type and AWG gauge.

United Kingdom

Check for BS 1363 and product-specific ASTA or BSI/Kitemark certification.

China · Japan · India

Depending on the market, certifications such as CCC, PSE/JET or BIS may be relevant.

Other target markets

Examples include SAA, INMETRO, SABS, SII, IMQ, DEMKO or IRAM.

For procurement and OEMs: target market → electrical requirements → mains plug → cable → IEC equipment side → product-specific approval.

Mains plug on the mains side – IEC 60320 on the appliance side

An international mains cable is only uniquely identified by the combination of country-specific plug, cable and appliance connector. Common IEC appliance connectors include C7, C5, C13, C15, C17 and C19.

IEC 60320 appliance plugs

C5, C7, C13, C15, C17 and C19 differ in design, temperature range and application.

Compare IEC appliance plugs →

Power cable cross-section

Select 0.75 mm², 1.0 mm² or 1.5 mm² to suit the current load, length and application.

Power cable cross-section →

International power cables

Select by country, mains plug, IEC connector, length and product version.

International power cables →

International mains adaptors

Adapter solutions for servicing, testing and temporary applications.

International power adaptors →

Other target markets

Connection solutions for countries and projects not listed in the main categories.

Power cables – Rest of the world →

What information is required for an international power cable?

The more precise the specification, the quicker we can check whether a standard item is suitable or whether a project-specific custom design is required.

01 · TARGET MARKET Country / Region

02 · POWER PLUG Type A–O / NEMA

03 · APPLIANCE SIDE C7 / C5 / C13 / C15 / C19

04 · LOAD Current / Power / Protection class

05 · CABLE Length / mm² / AWG

06 · CERTIFICATES Standard / Approval

07 · PROJECT Quantity / Colour / Packaging

Enquire about bespoke power cables

Frequently asked questions about international mains plugs

Which mains plug is used in which country?

Examples include Type G in the UK, Type J in Switzerland, Type I in Australia, Type N in Brazil, Type H in Israel, Type K in Denmark and Type O in Thailand. Some countries use several plug systems in parallel.

What is the difference between Type E and Type F?

Type E and Type F use different earth contact systems. The widely used CEE-7/7 plug combines both earth contact options and is often referred to as Type E+F.

Is Type G only common in the UK?

No. Type G is also used in Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Brunei, amongst others.

What does ‘NEMA 5-15P Hospital Grade’ mean?

‘Hospital Grade’ refers to North American plugs that are designed and labelled accordingly for specialised applications. A well-known identifying feature of such plugs is the ‘Green Dot’.

What is NEMA 6-20P?

NEMA 6-20P is a North American plug system for 250 V applications up to 20 A. It requires a matching NEMA 6-20 socket and must not be confused with NEMA 5-15P.

Is every NEMA 6-20P cable automatically suitable for 20 A?

No. The entire connection assembly is crucial. The mains plug, cable, AWG cross-section and IEC appliance coupler must all be rated together for the required current.

What is the difference between Type D and Type M in India?

Both plug systems are three-pin and earthed. Type M is larger and designed for higher current ratings. Type D and Type M are therefore not interchangeable.

Which mains plug is used in Brazil?

In Brazil, Type N in accordance with NBR 14136 is the standard. In addition, the regional mains voltage must be taken into account, as both 127 V and 220 V may be used.

Which mains plug is used in Thailand?

Type O is the Thai national plug system. For professional equipment and mass-production projects, the specific TIS-compliant product design should be checked.

Is a mechanically compatible mains plug sufficient?

No. In addition, the mains voltage, frequency, protection class, current consumption, conductor cross-section, equipment connection and, where applicable, national approval requirements must all be correct.

What is the difference between a country-specific plug and an IEC appliance plug?

The country-specific plug connects the cable to the mains socket. The IEC appliance plug connects the cable to the appliance. A UK mains cable, for example, may consist of a Type G plug followed by an IEC C13 plug.

Can a mains adapter alter the mains voltage?

A simple mechanical mains adapter does not alter the mains voltage. The connected appliance must therefore be suitable for the voltage and frequency of the relevant mains supply.

Note: This overview is intended as a technical guide for the preliminary selection of international mains connections. Plug types, mains ratings, standards and approval requirements may vary or change depending on the country, region, product and application. The technical data for the specific product, the device specification and the requirements of the relevant target market are decisive.

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