Travel Adapters: technical notes

2025-05-12

Type G is for UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, etc.
  Type A plug has polarized and non-polarized versions. Phone chargers are non-polarized so there are no issues.

  Type I sockets have shuttered and non-shuttered versions. Type I is used in Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina, Uruguay, etc. It is best practice to bring a 3-prong Type-I adapter in case you encounter a shuttered socket which can ruin your vacation if you don't have one.

  Europlug is very versatile, it can be used in western Europe, eastern Europe, South America (except Argentina) and some regions in Asia.

  Brazil's NBR 14136 standard (the standard has two variants: 20A rating with 4.8 mm plug pins and 10A rating with 4.0 mm plug pins) is derived from IEC 60906-1 but customized for Brazil's use.  Brazil runs 240V and 127V simultaneously. Because all travel chargers can handle dual voltages, there are no voltage issues.
✔ Good news is a 2-pin Europlug adapter can be used in Brazil.

  South Africa is slowly transitioning from 80+ years old Type M to SANS 164-2 which is identical with IEC 60906-1.  New constructions since 2018 must include the safer SANS 164-2 sockets, however, Type M is still legal in South Africa. Full conversion may take decades.  SANS 164-2 sockets are rated at 16A with 4.5 mm plug pins for Class I appliances.
✔ Good news is a 2-pin Europlug adapter is compatible with South Africa's SANS 164-2 socket, but only in buildings that have been upgraded post-2018.

  Type N includes 3 variants: Brazil's 20A 4.8 mm, South Africa's 16A 4.5 mm, and Brazil's 10A 4.0 mm dimensions. Type N is compatible with Europlug adapter.

  Thailand's official standard (TIS 166-2549 2020) (Type O) for plugs and sockets became mandatory in late 2020. The traditional hybrid Type O socket (accepts Type-O, US, Europlug) is being replaced by Type O socket for safety reasons (Thailand's 230V supply is incompatible with US's 120V appliances).
✔ Good news is a 2-pin Europlug adapter is compatible with both Thailand's traditional and official standards.

  China: China's GB 1002-2024 standard for plugs and sockets no longer include dual-use sockets. Starting in August 2025, standard-compliant sockets will no longer accommodate Europlug. The purpose of removing dual-use sockets is to enhance child safety. This change will impact travelers who previously depended on Type C Europlug adapters. Some facilities also added USB charging ports for convenience. Here is a PDF copy of GB 1002-2004 (in Chinese only).

  Type D in India is incompatible with all of the above. The 19.1 mm pin spacing allows a Europlug (with 19 mm spacing) to be mistakenly inserted. However, Type D plug pins are designed to be 5.1 mm in diameter, whereas Europlug pins are only 4.0 mm. This mismatch creates a hazardous situation.