Plug Adapter / Travel Plug Adapter / Converter

Question1: What is a 220 volt Plug Adapter?

Power supply is not uniform across the globe. In majority of countries the main supply is between 220 and 240 volts (50 or 60 Hz). With different power systems, different countries also have different types of plugs and socket systems. A plug converter is an electronic device which simply allows a dual-voltage appliance, a transformer or a converter from one country to be plugged into the receptacle of another country.

There are two types of adapters in use. In the first category, those adapters are listed which are specially designed for particular countries. Means these adapters converts plugs of any specific country into other specific country. While in the other type, the plug adapters or plug converters accepts all types of plugs and converts according to the specific country.

Plugs and sockets always cause an inconvenience for travelers because most of the time, the plug points of their equipment is not supportive with the sockets of the other country. In such type of condition, it is always recommended to carry travel converters & adapters with them. Buying universal plug adapter is always a good decision because it accepts all type of plugs. With 220 volt Plug Adapter, the journey becomes comfortable and a single universal type of plug converter goes with your all types of plugs. You need not have to carry multiple adapters with you. 

Question2: How 220 volt Plug Adapter is different from 220 volt Travel Plug Adapter?

220 volt Plug Adapter is used for converting pins of your plugs according to the receptacle of country. For example, if you are traveling from America to United Kingdom, then you need a plug adapter. The power supply system of UK does not accept plugs of USA directly because the sockets of UK are designed for round pin plugs while UK plugs are of flat pins. With the plug adapter, the flat pin of USA device can connect with the round pin socket of UK.

220 volt Travel Plug Adapter is a multipurpose adapter. It is not much different from regular 220 volt Plug Adapter. Travel plug adapter is designed for traveling purposes. This adapter is generally a universal adapter which accepts all type of plugs and converts for a specific type of socket. There are some travel converters & adapters which not only accept almost all type of plugs but also converts for almost all types of sockets. Travel plug adapters are sleeker, designer and light weight.

Question3: What are the specifications of Type 220 volt Plug Adapters?

Power system is different in every country and plugs and sockets are also varied from country to country. At present time, there are 15 types of plugs and sockets in practice. Following is the list of 220 volt plug adapters with their specification:

Type A: This type is mainly used in North and Central America and Japan. This is ungrounded plug with two flat parallel prongs. Type A plugs are generally polarized and can only be inserted one way.

Type B: This is mainly used in the USA, Canada, Mexico & Japan. This is grounded 3 pin plug. Type B plug is compatible with socket type of A & B

Type C: Type C is used in all countries of Europe apart from the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. This two-wire plug is ungrounded and has two round prongs.

Type D: This type of plug is exclusively used in India and Nepal. Type D is 5 amp plug which has three round prongs that form a triangle. 

Type E: Type E is designed for France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Tunisia and Morocco. This has two round pins and one round male pin which is permanently mounted in the socket.

Type F: This plug adaptor is used in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Eastern Europe. Type F is similar to C except that it is round and has the addition of two grounding clips on the side of the plug.

Type G: Type G works flawlessly in United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. This plug has three rectangular prongs that form an isosceles triangle.

Type H: This plug is ideal for Israel and Palestine. It has three 4.5 mm round prongs, measuring 19 mm in length and forming a triangle.

Type I: Type I is designed for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, China and Argentina. This plug has two flat 1.6 mm thick blades, set at 30° to the vertical, forming an upside-down V.

Type J: Type J is specially designed for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This plug has three round pins. The center of the line and neutral prongs is spaced 19 mm apart and they have 10 mm long insulated sleeves.

Type K: In Denmark and Greenland Type K plugs are used. This is a triangular shape three pin plug. Earth pin is of u shape.

Type L: Type L plug is exclusively used in Italy. All three rounded pins are placed in a straight line.

Type M: This plug is used mainly in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. This plug has three round pins, forming a triangle.

Type N:  Type N plug is especially designed for Brazil. The plug consists of two pins and a grounding pin.

Type O: Type O is used exclusively in Thailand. This has three triangular grounded pins.

Question4: How many types of Plug Outlets are available according to the destination?

Due to different power supply systems, the plugs and outlets also vary from country to country. There are major 15 types of outlets available all across the globe. You can select travel voltage converter and travel converters & adapters according to your destination. Following are the outlets which you can get during your traveling:

Type A: This type of outlet is mainly available in North and Central America and Japan. This is grounded receptacle which accepts plug with two flat parallel prongs.

Type B: This receptacle is mainly designed for USA, Canada, Mexico and Japan. This accepts 3 plat pins of triangular shape.

Type C: Type C socket is used in all countries of Europe apart from the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. This accepts two-wire plug which is ungrounded and has two round prongs.

Type D: Socket of Type D style is designed for use in India and Nepal. Type D is outlet allows 5 amp plugs which has three round prongs that form a triangle. 

Type E: You can find Type E receptacles in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Tunisia and Morocco. This allows plug which has three pins, two round pins and one round male pin which is permanently mounted in the socket.

Type F: Type F socket is found in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Eastern Europe. Type F is similar to C except that the plugs compatible with this are round and has the addition of two grounding clips on the side of the plug.

Type G: G type outlets are found in United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. This type accepts plugs that have three rectangular prongs that form an isosceles triangle.

Type H: Type H is ideal for Israel and Palestine. It allows plugs which have three 4.5 mm round prongs, measuring 19 mm in length and forming a triangle.

Type I: Type I is designed for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, China and Argentina. The plug compatible with this socket has two flat 1.6 mm thick blades, set at 30° to the vertical, forming an upside-down V.

Type J: Type J is specially designed for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This outlet supports plug which has three round pins. The center of the line and neutral prongs is spaced 19 mm apart and they have 10 mm long insulated sleeves.

Type K: In Denmark and Greenland, Type K receptacles are used. This outlet allows a triangular shape three pin plugs, earth pin is of u shape.

Type L: Type L outlet is exclusively used in Italy. Italy has a unique system of three straight pins.

Type M: Type M outlet is used mainly in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. This outlet accepts plug of three round pins, forming a triangle.

Type N:  Type N outlet is especially designed for Brazil. The plug compatible with this consists of two pins and a grounding pin.

Type O: Type O is used exclusively in Thailand. It allows three triangular grounded pins.

Question5: 220v Adapters Vs 220v Converters

Electronic devices have become a necessity of modern era. Each and every electronic device either need direct power connection or need connection for charging, but in every case there should be a power source. The power supply system of every country is different and it becomes problematic to connect your equipment directly with the power supply.

220V Adapters are mainly used for power conversion. The power supply varies from country to country from 220V to 110V. All equipment have not build-in power adapter and need external adapters for converting the provided voltage according to need of equipment. 220v Adapter is an adapter which coverts voltage, and makes your device compatible with the available voltage.

Voltage conversion is not the only issue, the plug and receptacles also differ from country to country.  For making your devices compatible with the available receptacle, you need a plug converter. 220v converters convert the plugs of your equipment according to the available receptacle and you can connect your plug in the available socket.