Us Electrical Plug Standard

Country by country list of plugs sockets and voltages below is a full overview of all countries of the world and their respective plugs outlets and voltages frequencies used for domestic appliances.

Us electrical plug standard.

Electrical plugs and sockets differ from one another in voltage and current rating shape size and connector type. It has two flat 1 5 mm thick blades spaced 12 7 mm apart measuring 15 9 18 3 mm in length and 6 3 mm in width. Ac power plugs and sockets connect electric equipment to the alternating current ac power supply in buildings and at other sites. This class i plug is designated as american standard nema 5 15.

Plug socket types around the world. There are currently 15 types of domestic electrical outlet plugs in use worldwide each of which has been assigned a letter by the us department of commerce international trade administration ita starting with a and moving through the alphabet. The nema plug chart provides technical drawings and specifications for nema straight blade plugs connectors receptacles inlets outlets and cords. North american standards state that the neutral is neither switched nor fused except in very narrowly defined circumstances.

Countries that operate on 100 127 volts are. Prior to the 1930s when hubbell s parallel blade plug received its official rating of 125v and became the united states general service electrical plug standard all of his electrical connectors were used interchangeably on either 120 v or 240 v. Different standard systems of plugs and sockets are used around the world. It also has a 4 8 mm diameter round or u shaped earth pin which is 3 2 mm longer than the two flat blades so the device is grounded before the power is connected.

Acupwr s nema chart can help you identify which nema plug or receptacle you have. Although much of the electrician s field terminology matches that of the electrical codes usages can vary. Get the amp rating off the outlet and pick up a replacement with that rating and the same configuration and number of holes. Use this nema plug chart to identify a configuration by pin array or designation.

The table shows that in most countries the mains supply is between 220 and 240 volts 50 or 60 hz. Different combinations of contact blade widths shapes orientation and. If you want to replace an outlet simply turn off the power to the outlet and remove it. These plugs are used throughout the u s canada and mexico and include plugs and receptacles that range from domestic size nema 5 15r p up to the highest available amp and voltage requirements nema 18 60r p.

The most common electrical outlets are 15 amp duplex receptacles 15 amp outlets are designed to accept standard plugs for most small appliances and lamps.