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China overview of types of plugs and sockets |
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| Most plugs and sockets shown here are made
and intended for use in the People's Republic of China. Two types of not earthed plugs are used: Europlugs (and look-alikes) and North American flat blade, non-polarized, plugs*. Earthed plugs for domestic use in the PRC are similar to the 10A Australasian type. In Hong Kong you may also find BS 1363 plugs and occasionally BS 546. Taiwan uses North American flat blade types for both non-earthed and earthed plugs**. * Mainland China has a 220 Volt, 50 Hz network (applies also to North American type outlets !) ** Taiwan has a 110 Volt, 60 Hz network. |
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| 1 | Australasian
type socket rated at 10A - 250V.
The
shown 2016 socket model has a shutter that covers line and neutral
contacts. The shutter mechanism is shown in detail in image no. 2.
Manufacturer: Schneider Electric China. {DH} In contrast to Australian and New Zealand regulations, sockets are mounted upside down, which means that in China the uppermost slot is earth. Sometimes the Chinese orientation is referred to as the 'emu foot' because it resembles the track of an emu (an Australian flightless bird). |
| 2 | The image shows the
back of the front panel of socket no. 1, after removing the socket body
with pin contacts. The
shutter (black) is controlled by the earth pin (top slot). Insertion of
the
earth pin, which is 3 mm longer than L and N pins, pushes the shutter
downwards (red arrow) and makes L and N contact accessible. A
spring (not visible) pushes the shutter upwards after removing the
plug. The mechanism is comparable to the shutter that has been developed by MK Electric in 1928. See panel 9 on Plug Diversity page. → Note that the shutter cannot be opened by a not earthed (2-pin) plug, an adapter plug is required. |
| 3 |
Comparison
of Australasian type 10A, 16A and 20A plugs. The side view of a 10A and
16A plug shows the difference in length of the earth pin compared to L
and N pins. Pin width and thickness in mm: 10A: 6.3 -
1.4; 16A:
8.0 - 1.75; 20A: 12.0 - 2.2 Plugs are also shown in image nos 5 (10A), 6 (16A) and 13 (20A). |
| 4 | Socket, rated at 10A - 250V, is suitable for the three commonly used types of plugs for domestic use in mainland China: (1) Europlugs and similar 2-pin plugs, (2) not earthed flat blade plugs (similar to NEMA 1-15P), and (3) earthed Australasian plugs. The three types of plugs are shown in image nos 5, 7, 8 and 9. Brand name: PTIC (made in China). |
| 5 | Wonpro Australasian type earthed plug, rated at 10A - 250V (type WSP-16). Chinese 10A plugs fit also in domestic 10A sockets used in Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. In contrast to Australia and New Zealand, partially insulated L and N pins are not required according to Chinese GB 2099 standard. {FSE} |
| 6 | Wonpro earthed plug, rated at 16A - 250V. 16A plugs are used
among others for home air conditioners. Plugs fit in Chinese 16A sockets only. Pin width and spacing of angled L and N pins differ between Chinese 16A (CN) and Australasian 15A (AU) plugs; see image right. Pin sizes are: • earth pin of CN 16A: width = 7.9 mm, thickness = 1.7 mm, length = 21.1 mm • earth pin of AU 15A: width = 9.1 mm, thickness = 1.6 mm, length = 19.8 mm • CN L and N pins: width = 8.0 mm, thickness = 1.7 mm, length = 18.0 mm • AU A and N pins: width = 6.4 mm, thickness = 1.6 mm, length = 17.0 mm Image no. 3 shows a comparison between Chinese 10A, 16 A and 20A plug pins. Plugs 5, 6 and 7 have a CCCs safety mark (see also image n. 19) {FSE} |
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| 7 | Wonpro, not earthed flat blade plug, rated at 10A - 250V. In accordance to Chinese GB 1002 standard, both blades are 6.3 mm wide. The given indication of Line and Neutral is in fact meaningless, because a plug with identical pins is not polarized. {FSE} |
| 8 | Example
of a simple flat blade plug. The plastic housing
is quite robust. Wiring is inherently unsafe. Cord grip is missing. The plug dates back to the 1990s. |
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| 9 | Not
earthed
European type
plug, with 4.0 mm round pins, rated at 5A - 250V. The unknown
manufacturer uses a remarkable logo, showing a house and alternate
current symbol. Plug was bought in China in 1998. |
| 10 |
Socket with lid for
Australasian type plugs. Indicated rating: 16A - 250V. Brand name:
Weipu, Shanghai, China. Type 1608. Note that in contrast to Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, the upright earth slot is at top position. {FSE} |
| 11 lid |
Multi-functional
socket, rated at 10A - 250V. Weipu, type 1609. {FSE} The image between nos. 10 and 11 shows a part of the lid of socket no. 10. No. 10 has a comparable lid. Both have a CE (European Conformity) mark. See page on certification marks for details, and both meet the IP44 criteria, which means that the sockets - with closed lid - are protected against (i) solid objects over 1 mm, and (ii) water sprayed from all directions. Moreover, type 1608 has also a CCCs mark (China Compulsory Certification, see image no. 19), and type 1609 has a hammer symbol, which suggests a certain resistance to mechanical impact (but a more precise IK rating is not given). |
| 12 | Wonnpro '1-gang universal receptacle set with safety shutters' (WF-6CN series), rated at 20A (!) - 250V. The specifications given by Wonpro state: 'Power is not supplied unless the two protection gates (shutters) are opened simultaneously'. {FSE} |
| Heavy duty
plugs |
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| 13 | Plug
rated at 20A - 250V with angled power pins (L and N). It is a larger
version of Australasian type plugs nos 5 (10A) and 6 (16A). Pin sizes
of 10A,
18A and 20A plugs are compared in image no. 3. The dimensions and position of pins is similar to NEMA 10-50P, a 50A split-phase 125/250V plug, US pins are 5-7 mm longer. It seems unlikely that the Chinese plug as also meant for split-phase, given the indication of L and N and a rating without 125V. Brand name: SWE, type SW1203. {FSE} |
| 14 | Four pin,
three-phase
plug, rated at 15A - 380V. Brand name: SWE, type SW1154. Pin positions resembles NEMA 28-20P, 3-phase Y, 20A, 208V (between any two phases) plug, but US pins are ca. 2 mm longer. The meaning of the 'Great Wall' mark is explained below (see no. 19). |
| 15 | Four pin,
three-phase plug, rated at 25A - 380V. Brand name PTIC, made in China
(type T4-25). Pin positions resembles NEMA 18-60P, 3-phase Y, 60A, 208V (between any two phases) plug, but US pins are 5-7 mm longer. {FSE} |
| 16 | Top image: name of
manufacturer of plugs 13 and 14: Hangzhou Hongshi Electrical Co.
Ltd. (SWE, based in Zhejiang, China) Bottom image: the earth pin of plug no. 15 is marked by Chinese characters, an E, and earth symbol. |
