Jounal

Surely on more than one occasion we have arrived at a boat or a resort and found that the plug they provided us is a devilish set of three flat diagonal prongs and that no matter how hard we try, it makes it impossible to connect any of our adapters.

This incident, which in the past might have been insignificant, can become a real problem in the 21st century. Although we might want to remain isolated and without a cell phone (a very healthy thing to do), the truth is that every day we carry more electronic devices. Something as simple as a camera requires a battery charge, and if we use high-resolution cameras, we'll also have to download images to a portable hard drive or personal computer.

While it's true that it's easy to find family outlets on most dive boats and specialized resorts, we won't always be so lucky, or what is common for other citizens of the world—such as the Australian area of ​​influence—is a minor problem for a European.

As a first consideration, we must bear in mind that if our electrical appliances (suitable for travel, not industrial) have been purchased in the European Union, they operate at 220-230 volts and a 50-hertz cycle, but they will also be dual-voltage, so they will also work with 110-120 V / 60 Hz, so we can forget about the old transformers. Another European standard is the plug type, common in all countries except Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and, of course, the United Kingdom, and which are known by the designations: C, E and F. Type C is the characteristic 2-round prong plug, found in small appliances, while E and F are the grounded plugs, characteristic of higher-power electrical equipment, such as household appliances. Outside Europe, we will find this connector in Egypt, in many other African countries influenced by France and in some Asian and Southern Cone countries.

Having identified the type of plug you have (male prong), you now need to know the female plug you'll find at your destination, for which you'll need an adapter. In total, as defined by the United States Department of Commerce , there are 16 types of plugs, three of which we've already discussed. Of the remaining 13, only five are common in the travel destinations where Ultima Frontera most frequently sells: A, B, G, I, and M. Plugs A and B are used in the United States, as well as in the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, most Latin American countries, and the North Pacific. Type A has two flat prongs in parallel, and type B is similar but includes a third round prong. Type G, used in Great Britain, is also widespread in Asia, where it can be found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar. It's also common in African countries with British influence, such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It consists of three thick, flat prongs, two in a line and a third perpendicular to them, forming a triangle. Although an adapter is ideal, with some effort, a type C Europlug can be connected to the in-line holes on most of them.

The Type I plug, possibly the most unusual of all, is the Australian type. It consists of three thin, flat prongs, two of them diagonally opposite each other and a third perpendicular, forming a triangle. Aside from Australia, we find it in China, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and other South Pacific islands. It is also used in Argentina and Uruguay. 

Finally, we have type M, with three round, thick, triangular prongs. This type is used in India (although C and D prongs are also installed), as well as in Namibia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and South Africa; type N plugs are found in South Africa and Brazil, but fortunately, they usually accept the type C male connector; and finally, type O, only for Thailand, but it also accepts the C plug without problems.

For more specific information on each country, you can consult the following list, which we have attempted to reflect information from all countries:

The above information is a general summary, not specific at the time of publication. For more accurate, up-to-date, and specialized information, we recommend contacting the consular authorities of the country you are visiting.