Presently, there are fifteen electrical outlets/sockets and power plug types in use all over the world.
The International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Department of Commerce, has assigned a letter to each of these domestic sockets and power plugs, starting from A and through to O.
However, these letters are somewhat arbitrary as they don’t mandate anything.
The following highlights the various sockets and power plugs including some of the countries where they are mainly used, and other specific features.
Interestingly, some of these electrical outlets are also compatible with some of the other plug types.
The Complete Sockets and Power Plug Types

Type A
- Used in: Canada, Japan, Mexico & USA
- Pins: 2
- Grounding: No
- Capacity: 15A
- Voltage: 100–127V
- Socket compatible with: Plug type A



Type D
- Used in: India
- Pins: 3
- Grounding: Yes
- Capacity: 5A
- Voltage: 220–240V
- Socket compatible with: Plug type D



Type G
- Used in: Cyprus, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, Malta, Singapore, UK
- Pins: 3
- Grounding: Yes
- Capacity: 13A
- Voltage: 220–240V
- Socket compatible with: Plug type G


Type I
- Used in: Argentina, Australia, Guinea, Papua New, New Zealand
- Pins: 2 or 3
- Grounding: No (2 pins), Yes (3 pins)
- Capacity: 10A
- Voltage: 220–240V
- Socket compatible with: Plug type I




Type M
- Used in: Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa
- Pins: 3
- Grounding: Yes
- Capacity: 15A
- Voltage: 220–240V
- Socket compatible with: Plug type M
