# PlugMatch.org — International Electrical Standards & Travel Compatibility

> PlugMatch.org is an authoritative, independent reference for global electrical compatibility, international wall plug types (IEC Types A through N), grid voltages (100V–240V), and frequencies (50Hz/60Hz).

## Core Electrical Data & Compatibility Rules

### 1. Dual Voltage vs. Single Voltage
- **Dual-Voltage Devices (Universal 100-240V, 50/60Hz):** Modern laptops, smartphones, tablets, noise-canceling headphones, and camera battery chargers use switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) that automatically adjust to any world voltage. They only require a passive mechanical plug adapter.
- **Single-Voltage Devices (110-120V only or 220-240V only):** Resistive heating appliances (hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons, blenders, kettles) lack internal transformers. Plugging a 120V heating appliance into a 230V outlet results in 4x power dissipation (P = V²/R), destroying the appliance and creating a fire hazard. They require a heavy step-down voltage transformer or a dual-voltage travel model.
- **Frequency (50Hz vs. 60Hz):** Digital electronics convert AC to DC and are immune to frequency differences. Synchronous AC motors (vintage clocks, analog turntables, some motor-driven hair clippers) will run ~17% slower on 50Hz than on 60Hz.

### 2. IEC Plug Types Directory
- **Type A (NEMA 1-15):** 2 flat blades, ungrounded, 15A, 100-127V. Used in USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan.
- **Type B (NEMA 5-15):** 2 flat blades + 1 round ground pin, grounded, 15A, 100-127V. Used in USA, Canada, Mexico.
- **Type C (Europlug / CEE 7/16):** 2 round pins (4.0mm diam), ungrounded, 2.5A, 220-240V. Fits sockets in Europe, South America, Asia.
- **Type D (BS 546 5A):** 3 large round pins in triangle, grounded, 5A, 220-240V. Used in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal.
- **Type E (French CEE 7/5):** 2 round pins + socket male earth pin, grounded, 16A, 220-240V. Used in France, Belgium, Poland, Czechia.
- **Type F (Schuko CEE 7/4):** 2 round pins + side grounding clips, grounded, 16A, 220-240V. Used in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, Scandinavia.
- **Type G (British BS 1363):** 3 rectangular pins with internal fuse and safety shutters, grounded, 13A, 220-240V. Used in UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE.
- **Type H (SI 32):** 3 round pins in Y-shape, grounded, 16A, 230V. Used in Israel, Palestine.
- **Type I (AS/NZS 3112):** 2 inverted-V flat pins + optional ground pin, 10A/15A, 220-240V. Used in Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina.
- **Type J (SEV 1011):** 3 round pins in flattened triangle, grounded, 10A, 230V. Used in Switzerland, Liechtenstein.
- **Type K (DS 60884-2-D1):** 2 round pins + half-round earth pin, grounded, 16A, 230V. Used in Denmark, Greenland.
- **Type L (CEI 23-50):** 3 round pins in a row, grounded, 10A/16A, 230V. Used in Italy, Chile.
- **Type M (BS 546 15A):** 3 large round pins (15A version of Type D), grounded, 15A, 230V. Used in South Africa, India.
- **Type N (IEC 60906-1):** 3 round pins in compact triangle, grounded, 10A/20A, 100-240V. Used in Brazil, South Africa.

### 3. Key High-Traffic Corridors
- **US to UK (Type A/B to Type G):** 120V to 230V. Requires Type G adapter. Single-voltage heating tools need step-down transformer. UK bathrooms only permit 2-pin low-amperage shaver outlets.
- **US to Japan (Type A/B to Type A/B):** 120V to 100V. Two-prong US plugs fit natively. Three-prong plugs require a 3-to-2 prong grounding adapter. Frequency is 50Hz in Tokyo / Eastern Japan and 60Hz in Osaka / Western Japan.
- **US to France/Europe (Type A/B to Type C/E/F):** 120V to 230V. Requires Type C or Type E/F adapter. Dual-voltage devices only.
- **US to Italy (Type A/B to Type C/L/F):** 120V to 230V. Requires Type C or Type L adapter. Modern hotels feature hybrid bipasso sockets.
- **UK to US (Type G to Type A/B):** 230V to 120V. Requires Type A or B adapter. British 230V heating appliances will only output ~25% power on US 120V circuits.
- **Australia to UK (Type I to Type G):** Both countries share 230V at 50Hz. Voltage converter is NOT required; only a passive Type I to Type G plug adapter is needed.
- **US to Bali, Indonesia (Type A/B to Type C/F):** 120V to 230V. Requires European round-pin adapter. Villa recessed sockets require narrow adapter profiles.

## Authority & Verification
Data verified against International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard IEC 60083 and national standards organizations (BS 1363, NEMA, DIN 49440).

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