Electricity Around the World

WORLD ELECTRIC GUIDE

This = site is featured in=20 the Electricity section of the Fodor's Online Resource = Center.

ELECTRIC POWER AROUND THE = WORLD

The table = below=20 summarizes information on the electrical systems in use in most = countries of=20 the world.

The voltages listed here are the = =93nominal=94=20 figures reported to be in use at most residential or commercial sites = in the=20 country or area named. Most electrical power systems are prone = to slight=20 variations in voltage due to demand or other factors. Many = former 220 V=20 countries have converted or are in the process of converting to = the EU=20 standard of 230 V. Generally, this difference is = inconsequential, as=20 most appliances are built to tolerate current a certain percentage = above or=20 below the rated voltage. However, severe variations in current = can=20 damage electrical equipment.

The electric power frequency is = shown in the=20 number of hertz (cycles per second). Even if voltages are = similar, a=20 60-hertz clock or tape recorder may not function properly on 50 hertz=20 current. All systems described here use alternating current = (AC). =20 The plug types listed indicate all types known to be in use in that=20 country. Not all areas of a country may use all types of plugs = listed=20 for that country, since there may be regional differences based on the = power=20 system in a certain area.

Finally, I've only included = information that=20 is likely to be relevant for travelers. Just about everywhere = listed=20 here has higher voltage lines available for heavy duty appliances (not = to=20 mention commercial or industrial applications). While this would = be=20 relevant for those moving to another country, I'm assuming most = travelers will=20 leave their clothes dryers, air conditioners and arc welders at home!=20

COUNTRY	VOLTAGE	FREQUENCY	PLUG	COMMENTS =
Afghanistan=20	220 V	50 Hz	C & F *	* A UN=20 correspondent reports C and F common in Kabul, but its likely a = variety of=20 plugs may be used around the country. Some sources report = Type D also in use. = Other reports=20 indicate voltage variances from 160V to 280V.
Albania	220 V*	50 Hz	C & F	*Voltage=20 variations common
Algeria	230 V	50 Hz	C* &=20 F	*A variation=20 of Type C with a ground post offset about 1/2-inch from center may = also be=20 found.
American=20 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=20 B)
Antigua	230 V*	60 Hz	A &=20 B	*Airport=20 area is reportedly Antigua power is 110 V.
Argentina	220 V	50 Hz	C = & I*	*Neutral and=20 line wires are reversed from that used in Australia and = elsewhere. =20 Click here for more.
Armenia	220 V	50 Hz	C & F
Aruba	127 V*	60 Hz	A, B = & F	*Lago Colony=20 115V
Australia	240 V	50 Hz	I	*Outlets=20 typically controlled by adjacent switch. Click here for more.
Austria	230 V	50 Hz	F	Type C may be found, but=20 rare.
Azerbaijan	220 V	50 Hz	C, F
Azores	220 V*	50 Hz	B, C, & F	*Ponta=20 Delgada 110 V; to be converted to 220 V
Bahamas	120 V	60 Hz	A & = B=20
Bahrain	230 V*	50 Hz*	G	*Awali 110=20 V, 60 Hz
Balearic=20 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=20 &=20 F
Belgium	230 V	50 Hz	E	Notes from=20 correspondents: a 'C' style plug can be used with 'E' and 'F'=20 receptacles. All double-insulated appliances are indeed = fitted with=20 a 'C' plug, and can be used in any compatible receptacle (C E F = and narrow=20 L). Type C receptacles are prohibited in = Belgium.
Belize	110/220 V	60 Hz	B &=20 G =
Benin	220 V	50 Hz	E
Bermuda	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Bhutan	230 V	50 Hz	D, F, &=20 G	Type M plugs also identified = by some=20 sources.
Bolivia	220/230 V*	50 Hz	A = & C	*La Paz=20 & 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=20 in states of Bahia, Paran=E1 (including Curitiba), Rio de Janeiro, = S=E3o Paulo=20 and Minas Gerais (though 220 V may be found in some hotels). = Other=20 areas are 220 V only, with the exception of Fortaleza (240 = V). Outlets (click for = more)=20 are often a combination of type A and C and can accept either = type=20 plug.
Brunei	240 V	50 Hz	G
Bulgaria	230 V	50 Hz	C* &=20 F*	*Outlets are=20 reported as type F, = though both=20 type C and F plugs may be=20 encountered.
Burkina=20 Faso	220 V	50 Hz	C = & E
Burundi	220 V	50 Hz	C = & E
Cambodia	230 V	50 Hz	A &=20 C*	*Some=20 outlets are a combination of type A and C and can accept either = type plug.=20 Plug G may be = found in=20 some hotels.
Cameroon	220 V	50 Hz	C, E
Canada	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Canary=20 Islands	220 V	50 Hz	C, E, &=20 L	Type L=20 plugs/outlets may have different pin spacing. The smaller = and closer=20 pins are for a rated current of 10 A, the bigger and wider pins = are for a=20 rated current of 16 A.
Cape=20 Verde	220 V	50 Hz	C = & F
Cayman=20 Islands	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Central=20 African Republic	220 V	50 Hz	C = & E
Chad	220 V	50 Hz	D, E & F
Channel=20 Islands	230 V	50 Hz	G
Chile	220 V	50 Hz	C = & L
China,=20 People's Republic of	220 V	50 Hz	A, I, G	The=20 "official" plug type is like type A but slightly shorter = and=20 without holes in blades. Type A and I outlets are common, = and Type G might also be = found. Click here for = photos and=20 more info.
Colombia	110 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Comoros	220 V	50 Hz	C = & E
Congo,=20 People's Rep. of	230 V	50 Hz	C = & E
Congo, Dem.=20 Rep. of (former Zaire)	220 V	50 Hz	C = & D
Cook=20 Islands	240 V	50 Hz	I
Costa=20 Rica	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
C=F4te=20 d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)	220 V	50 Hz	C = & E
Croatia	230 V	50 Hz	C &=20 F
Cuba	110/220 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B, C, <= FONT=20 face=3DArial color=3D#800040> F=20 & L	Most older hotels 110 V. Some newer hotels = 220=20 V. Some = outlets are a=20 combination of type A and C and can accept either = type=20 plug.
Cyprus	240 V	50 Hz	G
Czech=20 Republic	230 V	50 Hz	E
Denmark	230 V	50 Hz	C = & K	Denmark's=20 connectors have slight differences from those used = elsewhere. While=20 pin diameter and spacing is standard, outlets may have different = housing=20 depths which could interfere with standard adaptors -- one report = says=20 this is due to "childproofing." Also, Plug C fits into = K-type=20 outlets (but not vice versa).
Djibouti	220 V	50 Hz	C = & E
Dominica	230 V	50 Hz	D = & G
Dominican=20 Republic	110 V	60 Hz	A	Type J may exist in some=20 hotels.
East=20 Timor	220 V	50 Hz	C, E, F, I,	A UN=20 correspondent reports "power is poor in the country with frequent=20 brownouts and blackouts. I suspect that surges are frequent = as we go=20 through a lot of surge-protecting power bars." Further he = reports=20 than Type I=20 is = common as much=20 construction is done by Australians; type C is common in building = built=20 during Indonesian occupation; type E is less common; type = F is common in offices = but not=20 hotels.
Ecuador	120-127 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Egypt	220 V	50 Hz	C
El=20 Salvador	115V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
England=20 (See United Kingdom)
Equatorial=20 Guinea	220 V*	50 Hz	C = & E	*Voltage=20 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=20 buildings. Type E plugs=20 may work in either C = or F type = outlets.
Ethiopia	220 V	50 Hz	D, J, & L
Faeroe=20 Islands	220 V	50 Hz	C = & K
Falkland=20 Islands	240 V	50 Hz	G
Fiji	240 V	50 Hz	I
Finland=20	230 V	50 Hz	C=20 & F
France	230 V	50 Hz	E	Type C plugs may be = found on some=20 appliances, and will fit the Type E outlet. Type C outlets may be found = in older=20 buildings. Type A may be found in older = buildings=20 but is illegal.
French=20 Guiana	220 V	50 Hz	C, = & E
Gaza	230 V	50 Hz	H	=20
Gabon	220 V	50 Hz	C
Gambia	230 V	50 Hz	G
Georgia	220 V	50 Hz	C=20
Germany	230 V	50 Hz	C & F
Ghana	230 V	50 Hz	D = & G
Gibraltar	240 V	50 Hz	C = & G
Great=20 Britain (See United Kingdom)
Greece	220 V	50 Hz	C, D, E & F
Greenland	220 V	50 Hz	C = & K
Grenada=20 (Windward Is.)	230 V	50 Hz	G
Guadeloupe	230 V	50 Hz	C, D, & E
Guam	110 V	60 Hz	A &=20 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=20 capital city of Georgetown, both 120 V and 240 V at either 50 or = 60 Hz are=20 found, depending on the part of the city (50 Hz most = common). Actual=20 voltage may vary from area to area.
Haiti	110 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Honduras	110 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Hong=20 Kong	220 V*	50 Hz	G, M	Type M=20 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=20 photos and more info.
Indonesia	127/230 V*	50 Hz	C, F &=20 G	*Conversion=20 to 230 V in progress; complete in principal cities =
Iran	230 V	50 Hz	C
Iraq	230 V	50 Hz	C, D, & G
Ireland=20 (Eire)	230	50 Hz	G	Type D once common and may be = occasionally found.
Isle of=20 Man	240 V	50 Hz	C = & G
Israel	220 V	50 Hz	C
Italy	230 V	50 Hz	C, F & L	Type L=20 plugs/outlets may have different pin spacing. The smaller = and closer=20 pins are for a rated current of 10 A, the bigger and wider pins = are for a=20 rated current of 16 A. Both kinds are currently used and = comply to=20 the relevant Italian (CEI) regulations. Some outlets have=20 overlapping holes to accept either older or newer = types.
Ivory Coast=20 (See C=F4te d'Ivoire)
Jamaica	110 V	50 Hz	A &=20 B
Japan	100 V	50/60 Hz*	A,=20 B	*Eastern=20 Japan 50 Hz (Tokyo, Kawasaki, Sapporo, Yokohoma, and Sendai); = Western=20 Japan 60 Hz (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima)
Jordan	230 V	50 Hz	D, F, G & J*	*Type C may=20 be found in some hotels.
Kenya	240 V	50 Hz	G
Kazakhstan	220 V	50 Hz	C
Kiribati	240 V	50 Hz	I
Korea,=20 South	220 V	60 Hz	C & F*	*Type F=20 likely to be found in offices and hotels. 110 V power with = plugs A & B was = previously used but=20 is being phased out. Older buildings may still have this, = and some=20 hotels offer both 110 V and 220 V service.
Kuwait	240 V	50 Hz	D* = & G	*Type D primarily used for = 15A service,=20 Type G primarily for 13A service..
Laos	230 V	50 Hz	A, = B, C, E & F
Latvia	220 V	50 Hz	C=20 &=20 F
Lebanon	110/220 V	50 Hz	A, = B, C, D & G
Lesotho	220 V	50 Hz	M
Liberia	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Libya	127 V*	50 Hz	D	*Barce,=20 Benghazi, Derna, Sebha & Tobruk 230 V
Lithuania	220 V	50 Hz	C=20 &=20 F
Liechtenstein	230 V	50 Hz	J=20
Luxembourg	220 V	50 Hz	C = & F
Macau	220 V	50 Hz	D=20 & 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 &=20 B
Micronesia=20 (Federal States of)	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Monaco	127/220 V	50 Hz	C, D, E F
Mongolia	220 V	50 Hz	C=20 &=20 E =
Montenegro	220 V	50 Hz	C & F
Montserrat=20 (Leeward Is.)	230 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Morocco	127/220 V*	50 Hz	C = & E	*Conversion=20 to 220 V only underway
Mozambique	220 V	50 Hz	C, F & M*	*Type M=20 found especially near the border with South Africa, including the = capitol,=20 Maputo.
Myanmar=20 (formerly Burma)	230 V	50 Hz	C, D, F & G*	Type G*=20 found primarily in better hotels. Also, many of=20 major hotels chains are said to have multipurpose outlets, = which will=20 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=20 Antilles	127/220 V*	50 Hz	A, = B, & F	*St. Martin=20 120 V 60 Hz; Saba &(St. Eustatius 110 V 60 Hz A, maybe B =
New=20 Caledonia	220 V	50 Hz	F
New=20 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=20 Ireland (see United Kingdom)
Norway	230 V	50 Hz	C = & F
Okinawa	100 V*	60 Hz	A, B = & I	*Military=20 facilities 120 V
Oman	240 V*	50 Hz	G	*Voltage=20 variations common
Pakistan	220 V	50 Hz	C = & D
Palmyra=20 Atoll	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Panama	110 V*	60 Hz	A, B =	*Panama City=20 120 V
Papua New=20 Guinea	240 V	50 Hz	I
Paraguay	220 V	50 Hz	C
Peru	220 V*	60 Hz*	A, B = & C	*Talara=20 110/220 V; Arequipa 50 Hz
Philippines	220 V	60 Hz	A, = B, C	Type A=20 most commonly found.
Poland	230 V	50 Hz	C = & E
Portugal	230 V	50 Hz	C = & F
Puerto=20 Rico	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Qatar	240 V	50 Hz	D = & G
R=E9union=20 Island	220 V	50 Hz	E
Romania	230 V	50 Hz	C = & F
Russia	220 V	50 Hz	F = & C	Type F used=20 in new construction. Type C common in older = structures.
Rwanda	230 V	50 Hz	C = & J
St. Kitts=20 and Nevis (Leeward Is.)	230 V	60 Hz	D = & G
St. Lucia=20 (Windward Is.)	240 V	50 Hz	G
St. Vincent=20 (Windward Is.)	230 V	50 Hz	A, = C, E, G, I & K
Samoa	230 V	50 Hz	I
Saudi=20 Arabia	127/220 V	60 Hz	A, B, F & G
Scotland=20 (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=20 Leone	230 V	50 Hz	D = & G
Singapore	230 V	50 Hz	G	Type A adaptors are widely = available=20 from shops as an extension set of 2 to 5 sets of sockets; most = commonly=20 used for audio and video equipment.
Slovak=20 Republic	230 V	50 Hz	E
Slovenia	220 V	50 Hz	C & F
Somalia	220 V*	50 Hz	C	*Berbera 230=20 V; Merca 110/220 V
South=20 Africa	220/230 V*	50 Hz	M**	Grahamstad=20 & Port Elizabeth 250V; also found in King Williams * Types = C & G can also be found in = some areas.=20
Spain	230 V	50 Hz	C & F	A=20 correspondent reports that in Barcelona's Barrio Gothic, voltage = is 120 V=20 60 Hz using Types C & F plugs. Step up=20 transformers are required to use typical European=20 devices.
Sri=20 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=20 appliances, and will fit the Type J outlet.
Syria	220 V	50 Hz	C, E, & L
Tahiti	110/220 V	60 Hz	A,=20 B,=20 E	Information=20 is based mainly on hotel experiences reported by = travelers.
Tajikistan	220 V	50 Hz	C &=20 I
Taiwan	110 V	60 Hz	A,=20 B
Tanzania	230 V	50 Hz	D = & G
Thailand	220 V	50 Hz	A &=20 C*	*Some=20 outlets are a combination of type A and C and can accept either = type=20 plug.
Togo	220 V*	50 Hz	C	*Lome 127 V=20
Tonga	240 V	50 Hz	I
Trinidad=20 & Tobago	115V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Tunisia	230 V	50 Hz	C=20 & E
Turkey	230 V	50 Hz	C = & F
Turkmenistan	220 V	50 Hz	B &=20 F
Uganda	240 V	50 Hz	G
Ukraine	220 V	50 Hz	C=20
United Arab=20 Emirates	220 V*	50 Hz	G
United=20 Kingdom	230 V*	50 Hz	G	Outlets=20 typically controlled by adjacent = switch. Though nominal* = voltage has been=20 officially changed to 230 V, 240 V is within tolerances and = commonly=20 found.
United=20 States of America	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Uruguay	220 V	50 Hz	C, F, I* & L	Type F becoming more common = as a result=20 of computer use. *Neutral and line wires are reversed from = that used=20 in Australia and elsewhere. Click=20 here for more.
Uzbekistan	220 V	50 Hz	C & I
Vanuatu	230 V	50 Hz	I=20	Some Type G may linger from = British Colonial=20 period, but are a rarity.
Venezuela	120 V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Vietnam	127/220 V*	50 Hz	A, C & G	*To be=20 standardized at 220 V. Type G found in newer hotels, = primarily=20 those built by Singaporean and Hong Kong developers.
Virgin=20 Islands (British and U.S.)	115V	60 Hz	A &=20 B
Wales=20 (See United Kingdom)
Yemen, Rep.=20 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=20 sources: Electric = Current=20 Abroad (1998 edition), U.S. Department of Commerce, National = Technical=20 Information Service; World Electricity Supplies and Electrical = Plugs;=20 an International Survey, (both 1993), British Standards Institute. = =20 Additionally, since this table was first posted in late 1995, numerous = revisions=20 have (and continue to be) made as a result of personal observations or = reports=20 from other travelers.

Back to the Main = Electric=20 Page

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This = stuff is=20 provided for the personal use of travelers on the Internet.
Original = sources=20 have been cited. This site is not responsible for the accuracy of this=20 information. - S.K.=20