Voltage and power cord plug standards around the world

September 11, 2024

Overview of voltage specifications in various countries

At present, there are generally two types of voltages used for indoor electricity in various countries around the world, namely 100V~130V and 220~240V.

100V and 110~130V are classified as low voltage, such as the voltage in the United States, Japan, and ships. The main reason for using low voltage is safety; 220~240V is called high voltage, including China's 220V and the United Kingdom's 230V and many European countries, focusing on efficiency.

Among the countries that use 220~230V voltage, there are also cases where 110~130V voltage is used, such as Sweden and Russia.

①100V: Japan.

②110~130V: 30 countries including Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Cuba, and Lebanon.

③220～230V: China, Hong Kong (200V), South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, India, Singapore, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Austria, the Philippines, Norway, about 120 countries.

Conversion plugs for traveling abroad

National standard plugs are used in China, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, and are characterized by three flat heads.

American standard plugs are used in the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand and other countries and Taiwan, and are characterized by one round and two flat heads.

British standard plugs are used in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Maldives, Qatar and other countries and regions, and are characterized by three square heads.

European standard (German standard) plugs are used in EU countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Spain, Sweden, and South Korea, Russia and other countries, and are characterized by two round heads.

South African standard plugs are mainly used in South Africa, India, and Russia, and are characterized by three round heads. There are also Italian standard (Italian standard) plugs and Swiss standard (Swiss standard) plugs.

There are also cases where the same country or region uses multiple standards for conversion plugs when traveling abroad.