Before packing for your trip to China, it is necessary to check the electricity in China, as well as its plugs and socket system. The Electricity in China’s mainland is 220 Volts, 50 Hz which is twice the standard voltage than in North America and some Latin American countries running on 110V 60Hz.
Power Plugs and Sockets in China
China uses unique power plug types, such as Type A and Type I, which may differ from the plug types used in your home country.
Type A: This plug type consists of two flat parallel pins. Type A plugs are ungrounded on a 220V supply voltage. However, it’s important to note that the frequency in China is 50 Hz, which may differ from the 60 Hz used in some other countries.
Two and Three Pin Sockets China
Plugs and Sockets in China
The Two-Pin Plug China
Type I: This plug type has three flat pins in a triangular configuration. It includes two flat pins for live and neutral, and an earth pin for grounding. The voltage rating in China is again 220 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz.
The Three-Pin Plug China
Familiarizing yourself with these plug types beforehand helps ensure that your electrical devices can physically connect to the local power sockets. This knowledge allows you to choose the right travel adapter to adapt your device’s plug to fit into the Chinese outlets and prevent any inconvenience or frustration during your trip.
Travel Adaptors for China
When traveling to China, it is necessary to use a travel adapter for electrical devices due to the country’s unique electrical infrastructure.
It is important to note that while travel adapters are necessary for China, they do not convert voltage. If your device operates on a different voltage than the local supply, you may also need a voltage converter or transformer to avoid damage to your electronics. It is advisable to check the voltage requirements of your devices and ensure they are compatible or have appropriate voltage conversion capabilities when using travel adapters.
The Standard Voltage in China
China operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz This voltage range is consistent with many other countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania.
It is essential to be aware of the voltage requirements of your electrical devices before traveling to China. If your devices are designed to operate on a different voltage, such as 110-120 volts commonly used in the United States and Canada, you will need a voltage converter or transformer to ensure compatibility.
Related voltage
| Country/Region | Voltage/Hertz | Country/Region | Voltage/Hertz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 240V/50Hz | Italy | 127/220V, 50Hz |
| Belgium | 230V/50Hz | Japan | 100V, 50/60Hz |
| Canada | 120V/60Hz | Mexico | 127V/60Hz |
| Chile | 220V/50Hz | Netherlands | 230V/50Hz |
| China’s Mainland | 220V/50Hz | Norway | 230v/50Hz |
| China Hong Kong | 220V/50Hz | Philippines | 110/220V, 60Hz |
| China Taiwan | 110V/50Hz | Russia | 220V/50Hz |
| Egypt | 220V/60Hz | Spain | 127/220V, 50 Hz |
| France | 230V/50Hz | Switzerland | 220V/50Hz |
| Germany | 230V/50Hz | United States | 120V/60Hz |
| India | 230V/50Hz | United Kingdom | 230V/50Hz |
Plugs and Sockets
Plugs and Sockets
At present, there is no global standard plug and socket. Usually, three types of plugs are used most – Flat Plug System, Square Plug System and Round Plug System.
Flat Plug System: It is raised by American National Standards Institute, mainly used in Asia and North America, such as United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea and China, etc.
Square Plug System: It is raised by British Standard Institute, mainly used in Oceania and South Africa, such as United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, India and Pakistan.
Round Plug System: It is raised by International Electrical Equipment Certification Committee, mainly used in Europe, like France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and more countries.