Determining the correct plug for your mains power and electrical design is essential in ensuring safe electrical continuity. Interpower offers a Guide to Worldwide Plug and Socket Patterns and Power Mains (Single-Phase) which shows specified plug patterns by country.

“When deciding on the correct plug pattern,” said Interpower Product Development Manager Ron Barnett, “be aware that some country-specific plugs are similar in appearance to one another. An example are the separate plugs used in Argentina, Australia, and China—while appearing interchangeable, each can only be used in their specified countries to safely connect to their mains powers.”

It is important to know the amperage and voltage ratings required by the country you’re exporting to. “Higher or lower amperage can mean using a different plug pattern, even in the same country,” Barnett said. “Amperage requirements also affect cable size. North America has a different voltage, amperage, and frequency compared to many other countries.”

Choose the Correct Cable

North American cable is different from international cable (the latter’s several types beginning with “H0” such as H05VV-F), which is different from Japanese (VCTF/HVCTF) or Chinese (RVV) cable. “North American cable cannot be used in countries where international cable standards are in place and vice versa,” Barnett said. “For example, removing a North American plug from a cord set made with North American cable and replacing it with a Continental European plug will not make the cord set acceptable for Europe per the standards.” Plugs may be comprised of similar thermoplastics but vary in dimensions, and the blades and pins may be shaped differently and vary in widths and lengths. And the plugs may have different ratings.       

While Europe uses several plug patterns and a variety of cable types, North American plug patterns and cable types are also used throughout the world. When scrolling down the list of countries and territories using North American Manufacturer’s Association (NEMA) plug patterns, the list of countries using NEMAs is eye-opening: American Samoa, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Liberia, Mexico, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, St. Pierre, Suriname, Tahiti, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Now, add the list of other country-specific plugs manufactured by Interpower on the company’s website, and you may wonder how Interpower can change molds on the fly and still manufacture upwards of 40 different plug patterns in one week (plugs with different terminals and patterns molded onto bridges, then molded onto cable whose opposite end is often terminated with a molded IEC connector to form cord sets). In fact, not only does the company quick-change molds, but it also offers 1-week U.S. manufacturing lead times.

“Everyone in the company is committed to our 1-week lead times,” said Mike Boyle, Interpower’s Vice President of Manufacturing and Logistics. “We have large and small orders come in—it’s common for us to change out 40 molds per week. It’s made possible by our quick-change molding process using spring-loaded washers and quick-disconnect waterlines. The quick changeovers allow for multiple country-specific orders each week as well as replenishing stock quickly for inventory.”   

Choose the Correct Connector for a Cord Set

If exporting globally, consider incorporating IEC 60320 components into the product design. “An advantage of using an IEC 60320 component is that it makes the product globally accessible,” Barnett said. “It allows the equipment to be used in a variety of markets.”

For example, a power cord with a country-specific plug on one end and an IEC 60320 connector plug molded onto the other end allows the plug connector to plug into the accessory power strip’s (APS) inlet to provide power to the APS’ Sheet F outlets. Or, the plug connector can plug directly into the equipment providing the equipment has a Sheet F outlet.

One last reminder regarding the rating on the power cord or cord set: a cord is rated by its least powerful component. For example, a cord set with a 15A plug on 13A cable with a 10A connector will have an overall rating of 10A.