Compatibility
Which sockets accept Type B?
Type B adds a protective-earth pin to the two flat pins. It requires a Type B socket for full mechanical and earth compatibility.
Worldwide plug system
Plug type B: Two flat pins + earth
Like Type A, with an additional round earth pin.
with protective earthrecorded in 47 countries
Common regions
Where is Type B used?
United States, Canada, Mexico
Safety
What to check
- !A three-pin Type B plug should not be treated as safely compatible with an unearthed Type A socket.
- !The presence of an earth contact in an adapter does not prove that the wall socket is actually earthed.
Countries using Type B
American SamoaAnguillaAntigua and BarbudaArubaBahamasBarbadosBelizeBermudaBoliviaBritish Virgin IslandsCambodiaCanadaCayman IslandsColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEcuadorEl SalvadorGuamGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasJamaicaJapanLaosMarshall IslandsMexicoMicronesiaMyanmarNicaraguaPalauPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesSaint Kitts and NevisSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSurinameTaiwanThailandTrinidad and TobagoU.S. Virgin IslandsUnited StatesVenezuelaViet Nam
Sources
Sources for plug type B
World Plugs
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) · Primary source
IEC country overview of commonly used plug types, nominal voltages and frequencies.
IEC TR 60083
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) · Primary source
IEC technical report covering nationally standardised plug and socket systems.
IEC 60884-2-5
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) · Primary source
IEC safety requirements for household adapters with or without protective earth.
Plugs and sockets
World Standards · Supplementary source
Supplementary country and territory overview of plug types, voltage and frequency.
The sources describe the systems commonly used in each destination. A particular building, ship or multi-standard outlet can still differ, so the actual socket and device label remain decisive.
All sources and methodology →