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This site is featured in the Electricity section of the Fodor's Online Resource Center.
The table below summarizes information on the electrical systems in use in most countries of the world.
The voltages listed here are the “nominal” figures reported to be in use at most residential or commercial sites in the country or area named. Most electrical power systems are prone to slight variations in voltage due to demand or other factors. Many former 220 V countries have converted or are in the process of converting to the EU standard of 230 V. Generally, this difference is inconsequential, as most appliances are built to tolerate current a certain percentage above or below the rated voltage. However, severe variations in current can damage electrical equipment.
The electric power frequency is shown in the number of hertz (cycles per second). Even if voltages are similar, a 60-hertz clock or tape recorder may not function properly on 50 hertz current. All systems described here use alternating current (AC). The plug types listed indicate all types known to be in use in that country. Not all areas of a country may use all types of plugs listed for that country, since there may be regional differences based on the power system in a certain area.
Finally, I've only included information that is likely to be relevant for travelers. Just about everywhere listed here has higher voltage lines available for heavy duty appliances (not to mention commercial or industrial applications). While this would be relevant for those moving to another country, I'm assuming most travelers will leave their clothes dryers, air conditioners and arc welders at home! If you are interested in converting electrical units or sizing a generator try these Power Generator Calculators (for calculating generator size in kW, converting kW to kVA, kVA to kW, Volts, Amps, and more).
| COUNTRY | VOLTAGE | FREQUENCY | PLUG | COMMENTS |
| Afghanistan | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F * | * A UN correspondent reports C and F common in Kabul, but its likely a variety of plugs may be used around the country. Some sources report Type D also in use. Other reports indicate voltage variances from 160V to 280V. |
| Albania | 220 V* | 50 Hz | C & F | *Voltage variations common |
| Algeria | 230 V | 50 Hz | C* & F | *A variation of Type C with a ground post offset about 1/2-inch from center may also be found. |
| American Samoa | 120 V | 60 Hz | A, B, F & I | |
| Andorra | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Angola | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Anguilla | 110 V | 60 Hz | A (maybe B) | |
| Antigua | 230 V* | 60 Hz | A & B | *Airport area is reportedly Antigua power is 110 V. |
| Argentina | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & I* | *Neutral and line wires are reversed from that used in Australia and elsewhere. Click here for more. |
| Armenia | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Aruba | 127 V* | 60 Hz | A, B & F | *Lago Colony 115V |
| Australia | 240 V | 50 Hz | I | *Outlets typically controlled by adjacent switch. Click here for more. |
| Austria | 230 V | 50 Hz | F | Type C may be found, but rare. |
| Azerbaijan | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, F | |
| Azores | 220 V* | 50 Hz | B, C, & F | *Ponta Delgada 110 V; to be converted to 220 V |
| Bahamas | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Bahrain | 230 V* | 50 Hz* | G | *Awali 110 V, 60 Hz |
| Balearic Islands | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Bangladesh | 220 V | 50 Hz | A, C, D, G & K | |
| Barbados | 115V | 50 Hz | A, B | |
| Belarus | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Belgium | 230 V | 50 Hz | E | Notes from correspondents: a 'C' style plug can be used with 'E' and 'F' receptacles. All double-insulated appliances are indeed fitted with a 'C' plug, and can be used in any compatible receptacle (C E F and narrow L). Type C receptacles are prohibited in Belgium. |
| Belize | 110/220 V | 60 Hz | B & G | |
| Benin | 220 V | 50 Hz | E | |
| Bermuda | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Bhutan | 230 V | 50 Hz | D, F, & G | Type M plugs also identified by some sources. |
| Bolivia | 220/230 V* | 50 Hz | A & C | *La Paz & Viacha 115V |
| Bosnia | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Botswana | 231V | 50 Hz | M | Type G may be found, but rare. |
| Brazil | 110/220 V* | 60 Hz | A & B, C | *127 V found in states of Bahia, Paraná (including Curitiba), Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais (though 220 V may be found in some hotels). Other areas are 220 V only, with the exception of Fortaleza (240 V). Outlets (click for more) are often a combination of type A and C and can accept either type plug. |
| Brunei | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Bulgaria | 230 V | 50 Hz | C* & F* | *Outlets are reported as type F, though both type C and F plugs may be encountered. |
| Burkina Faso | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Burundi | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Cambodia | 230 V | 50 Hz | A & C* | *Some outlets are a combination of type A and C and can accept either type plug. Plug G may be found in some hotels. |
| Cameroon | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, E | |
| Canada | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Canary Islands | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, E, & L | Type L plugs/outlets may have different pin spacing. The smaller and closer pins are for a rated current of 10 A, the bigger and wider pins are for a rated current of 16 A. |
| Cape Verde | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Cayman Islands | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Central African Republic | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Chad | 220 V | 50 Hz | D, E & F | |
| Channel Islands | 230 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Chile | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & L | |
| China, People's Republic of | 220 V | 50 Hz | A, I, G | The "official" plug type is like type A but slightly shorter and without holes in blades. Type A and I outlets are common, and Type G might also be found. Click here for photos and more info. |
| Colombia | 110 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Comoros | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Congo, People's Rep. of | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Congo, Dem. Rep. of (former Zaire) | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & D | |
| Cook Islands | 240 V | 50 Hz | I | |
| Costa Rica | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Côte
d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) |
220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Croatia | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Cuba | 110/220 V | 60 Hz | A &
B, C, F & L |
Most older hotels 110 V. Some newer hotels 220 V. Some outlets are a combination of type A and C and can accept either type plug. |
| Cyprus | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Czech Republic | 230 V | 50 Hz | E | |
| Denmark | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & K | Denmark's connectors have slight differences from those used elsewhere. While pin diameter and spacing is standard, outlets may have different housing depths which could interfere with standard adaptors -- one report says this is due to "childproofing." Also, Plug C fits into K-type outlets (but not vice versa). |
| Djibouti | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Dominica | 230 V | 50 Hz | D & G | |
| Dominican Republic | 110 V | 60 Hz | A | Type J may exist in some hotels. |
| East Timor | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, E, F, I, | A UN correspondent reports "power is poor in the country with frequent brownouts and blackouts. I suspect that surges are frequent as we go through a lot of surge-protecting power bars." Further he reports than Type I is common as much construction is done by Australians; type C is common in building built during Indonesian occupation; type E is less common; type F is common in offices but not hotels. |
| Ecuador | 120-127 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Egypt | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| El Salvador | 115V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| England (See United Kingdom) | ||||
| Equatorial Guinea | 220 V* | 50 Hz | C & E | *Voltage varies between 150 & 175V with frequent outages |
| Eritrea | 230 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Estonia | 230 V | 50 Hz | F | Type C may be found in older buildings. Type E plugs may work in either C or F type outlets. |
| Ethiopia | 220 V | 50 Hz | D, J, & L | |
| Faeroe Islands | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & K | |
| Falkland Islands | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Fiji | 240 V | 50 Hz | I | |
| Finland | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| France | 230 V | 50 Hz | E | Type C plugs may be found on some appliances, and will fit the Type E outlet. Type C outlets may be found in older buildings. Type A may be found in older buildings but is illegal. |
| French Guiana | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, & E | |
| Gaza | 230 V | 50 Hz | H |
|
| Gabon | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Gambia | 230 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Georgia | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Germany | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Ghana | 230 V | 50 Hz | D & G | |
| Gibraltar | 240 V | 50 Hz | C & G | |
| Great Britain (See United Kingdom) | ||||
| Greece | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, D, E & F | |
| Greenland | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & K | |
| Grenada (Windward Is.) | 230 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Guadeloupe | 230 V | 50 Hz | C, D, & E | |
| Guam | 110 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Guatemala | 120 V | 60 Hz | A, B, G, & I | |
| Guinea | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, F & K | |
| Guinea-Bissau | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Guyana | 240 V* | 60 Hz* | A, B, D & G | *Inside the capital city of Georgetown, both 120 V and 240 V at either 50 or 60 Hz are found, depending on the part of the city (50 Hz most common). Actual voltage may vary from area to area. |
| Haiti | 110 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Honduras | 110 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Hong Kong | 220 V* | 50 Hz | G, M | Type M replaced by Type G but still found. |
| Hungary | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Iceland | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| India | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & D | Click here for photos and more info. |
| Indonesia | 127/230 V* | 50 Hz | C, F & G | *Conversion to 230 V in progress; complete in principal cities |
| Iran | 230 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Iraq | 230 V | 50 Hz | C, D, & G | |
| Ireland (Eire) | 230 | 50 Hz | G | Type D once common and may be occasionally found. |
| Isle of Man | 240 V | 50 Hz | C & G | |
| Israel | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Italy | 230 V | 50 Hz | C, F & L | Type L plugs/outlets may have different pin spacing. The smaller and closer pins are for a rated current of 10 A, the bigger and wider pins are for a rated current of 16 A. Both kinds are currently used and comply to the relevant Italian (CEI) regulations. Some outlets have overlapping holes to accept either older or newer types. |
| Ivory Coast (See Côte d'Ivoire) | ||||
| Jamaica | 110 V | 50 Hz | A & B | |
| Japan | 100 V | 50/60 Hz* | A, B | *Eastern Japan 50 Hz (Tokyo, Kawasaki, Sapporo, Yokohoma, and Sendai); Western Japan 60 Hz (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima) |
| Jordan | 230 V | 50 Hz | D, F, G & J* | *Type C may be found in some hotels. |
| Kenya | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Kazakhstan | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Kiribati | 240 V | 50 Hz | I | |
| Korea, South | 220 V | 60 Hz | C & F* | *Type F likely to be found in offices and hotels. 110 V power with plugs A & B was previously used but is being phased out. Older buildings may still have this, and some hotels offer both 110 V and 220 V service. |
| Kuwait | 240 V | 50 Hz | D* & G | *Type D primarily used for 15A service, Type G primarily for 13A service.. |
| Laos | 230 V | 50 Hz | A, B, C, E & F | |
| Latvia | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Lebanon | 110/220 V | 50 Hz | A, B, C, D & G | |
| Lesotho | 220 V | 50 Hz | M | |
| Liberia | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Libya | 127 V* | 50 Hz | D & L | *Barce, Benghazi, Derna, Sebha & Tobruk 230 V |
| Lithuania | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Liechtenstein | 230 V | 50 Hz | J | |
| Luxembourg | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Macau | 220 V | 50 Hz | D & G | |
| Macedonia | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Madagascar | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Madeira | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Malawi | 230 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Malaysia | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Maldives | 230 V | 50 Hz | A, D, G, J, K & L | |
| Mali | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Malta | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Martinique | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, D, & E | |
| Mauritania | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Mauritius | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & G | |
| Mexico | 127 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Micronesia (Federal States of) | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Monaco | 127/220 V | 50 Hz | C, D, E F | |
| Mongolia | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Montenegro | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Montserrat (Leeward Is.) | 230 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Morocco | 127/220 V* | 50 Hz | C & E | *Conversion to 220 V only underway |
| Mozambique | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, F & M* | *Type M found especially near the border with South Africa, including the capitol, Maputo. |
| Myanmar (formerly Burma) | 230 V | 50 Hz | C, D, F & G* | Type G*
found primarily in better hotels. Also, many of
major hotels chains are said to have multipurpose outlets, which will take Australian 3-pin plugs and perhaps other types. |
| Namibia | 220 V | 50 Hz | M | |
| Nauru | 240 V | 50 Hz | I | |
| Nepal | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & D | |
| Netherlands | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Netherlands Antilles | 127/220 V* | 50 Hz | A, B, & F | *St. Martin 120 V 60 Hz; Saba &(St. Eustatius 110 V 60 Hz A, maybe B |
| New Caledonia | 220 V | 50 Hz | F | |
| New Zealand | 230 V | 50 Hz | I | |
| Nicaragua | 120 V | 60 Hz | A | |
| Niger | 220 V | 50 Hz | A, B, C, D, E & F | |
| Nigeria | 240 V | 50 Hz | D & G | |
| Northern Ireland (see United Kingdom) | ||||
| Norway | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Okinawa | 100 V* | 60 Hz | A, B & I | *Military facilities 120 V |
| Oman | 240 V* | 50 Hz | G | *Voltage variations common |
| Pakistan | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & D | |
| Palmyra Atoll | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Panama | 110 V* | 60 Hz | A, B | *Panama City 120 V |
| Papua New Guinea | 240 V | 50 Hz | I | |
| Paraguay | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| Peru | 220 V* | 60 Hz* | A, B & C | *Talara 110/220 V; Arequipa 50 Hz |
| Philippines | 220 V | 60 Hz | A, B, C | Type A most commonly found. |
| Poland | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Portugal | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Puerto Rico | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Qatar | 240 V | 50 Hz | D & G | |
| Réunion Island | 220 V | 50 Hz | E | |
| Romania | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Russia | 220 V | 50 Hz | F & C | Type F used in new construction. Type C common in older structures. |
| Rwanda | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & J | |
| St. Kitts and Nevis (Leeward Is.) | 230 V | 60 Hz | D & G | |
| St. Lucia (Windward Is.) | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| St. Vincent (Windward Is.) | 230 V | 50 Hz | A, C, E, G, I & K | |
| Samoa | 230 V | 50 Hz | I | |
| Saudi Arabia | 127/220 V | 60 Hz | A, B, F & G | |
| Scotland (See United Kingdom) | ||||
| Senegal | 230 V | 50 Hz | C, D, E & K | |
| Serbia | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Seychelles | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Sierra Leone | 230 V | 50 Hz | D & G | |
| Singapore | 230 V | 50 Hz | G | Type A adaptors are widely available from shops as an extension set of 2 to 5 sets of sockets; most commonly used for audio and video equipment. |
| Slovak Republic | 230 V | 50 Hz | E | |
| Slovenia | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Somalia | 220 V* | 50 Hz | C | *Berbera 230 V; Merca 110/220 V |
| South Africa | 220/230 V* | 50 Hz | M** | *Grahamstad
& Port Elizabeth 250V; also found in King Williams ** Types C & G can also be found in some areas. |
| Spain | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | A correspondent reports that in Barcelona's Barrio Gothic, voltage is 120 V 60 Hz using Types C & F plugs. Step up transformers are required to use typical European devices. |
| Sri Lanka | 230 V | 50 Hz | D | |
| Sudan | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & D | |
| Suriname | 127 V | 60 Hz | C & F | |
| Swaziland | 230 V | 50 Hz | M | |
| Sweden | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Switzerland | 230 V | 50 Hz | J | Type C plugs are common on appliances, and will fit the Type J outlet. |
| Syria | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, E, & L | |
| Tahiti | 110/220 V | 60 Hz | A, B, E | Information is based mainly on hotel experiences reported by travelers. |
| Tajikistan | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & I | |
| Taiwan | 110 V | 60 Hz | A, B | |
| Tanzania | 230 V | 50 Hz | D & G | |
| Thailand | 220 V | 50 Hz | A & C* | *Some outlets are a combination of type A and C and can accept either type plug. |
| Togo | 220 V* | 50 Hz | C | *Lome 127 V |
| Tonga | 240 V | 50 Hz | I | |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 115V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Tunisia | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & E | |
| Turkey | 230 V | 50 Hz | C & F | |
| Turkmenistan | 220 V | 50 Hz | B & F | |
| Uganda | 240 V | 50 Hz | G | |
| Ukraine | 220 V | 50 Hz | C | |
| United Arab Emirates | 220 V* | 50 Hz | G | |
| United Kingdom | 230 V* | 50 Hz | G | *Outlets
typically controlled by adjacent switch. Though nominal voltage has been officially changed to 230 V, 240 V is within tolerances and commonly found. |
| United States of America | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Uruguay | 220 V | 50 Hz | C, F, I* & L | Type F becoming more common as a result of computer use. *Neutral and line wires are reversed from that used in Australia and elsewhere. Click here for more. |
| Uzbekistan | 220 V | 50 Hz | C & I | |
| Vanuatu | 230 V | 50 Hz | I | Some Type G may linger from British Colonial period, but are a rarity. |
| Venezuela | 120 V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Vietnam | 127/220 V* | 50 Hz | A, C & G | *To be standardized at 220 V. Type G found in newer hotels, primarily those built by Singaporean and Hong Kong developers. |
| Virgin Islands (British and U.S.) | 115V | 60 Hz | A & B | |
| Wales (See United Kingdom) | ||||
| Yemen, Rep. of | 220/230 V | 50 Hz | A, D & G | |
| Zambia | 230 V | 50 Hz | C, D & G | |
| Zimbabwe | 220 V | 50 Hz | D & G | |
Primary sources: Electric Current Abroad (1998 edition), U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service; World Electricity Supplies and Electrical Plugs; an International Survey, (both 1993), British Standards Institute. Additionally, since this table was first posted in late 1995, numerous revisions have (and continue to be) made as a result of personal observations or reports from other travelers.
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This stuff is
provided for the personal use of travelers on the Internet.
Original sources
have been cited. This site is not responsible for the accuracy of this
information. - S.K.
http://kropla.com/electric2.htm -- Updated 28
June
2008
Copyright © 1996-2006 Steve
Kropla
All rights reserved.