Type B Plug 3 pins
NEMA 5-15 (Grounded)
The Type B plug is a three-pin NEMA 5-15 plug with two flat parallel blades and a round earth pin. It is earthed, rated for 100-127 V at up to 15 A, and is standard across North and Central America and in Japan.
What Does a Type B Plug Look Like?
The Type B plug has three pins: two flat parallel blades for live and neutral and a round earth pin below them. The round earth pin makes it the earthed version of Type A and provides a protective ground. Recognise it by the two flat blades aligned vertically with the round earth pin beneath, set in a rectangular moulding often labelled NEMA 5-15.
Where Is the Type B Plug Used?
Type B is standard in many countries across North and Central America and in parts of Asia. Major users include Japan, Mexico, Canada, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Panama, Bolivia, Barbados, United States, The Bahamas, Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Palau, Marshall Islands. It is also used as a secondary socket in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.
Which Plugs Fit a Type B Socket?
A Type B socket accepts Type A plugs (the two flat blades) and naturally accepts Type B plugs. Visitors from the US and Canada (A/B) and from Japan (A/B) can plug their devices directly. Plugs from the UK (Type G), continental Europe (Types C/E/F), Australia/New Zealand (Type I) and common Indian plugs do not fit Type B sockets without an adapter.
| Travelling from | Your plugs | Fits a Type B socket? |
|---|---|---|
| US & Canada | Type A/B | Yes, no adapter |
| UK & Ireland | Type G | No, bring an adapter |
| Europe | Type C/F/E | No, bring an adapter |
| Australia & NZ | Type I | No, bring an adapter |
| India | Type D/C | No, bring an adapter |
| Japan | Type A/B | Yes, no adapter |
Travel Adapters for Type B Sockets
If your plug shape does not match, use a travel adapter that converts your plug to a Type B socket, preferably an earthed adapter to retain the earth connection. Travellers from the US, Canada and Japan usually do not need a shape adapter. Remember Type B supplies 100-127 V; dual-voltage chargers will work, but single-voltage appliances from 220-240 V countries require a voltage converter or transformer, not just a plug adapter.