Planning a trip to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, China, Tonga, or Argentina? It’s crucial to get familiar with the Type I sockets you’ll commonly encounter there.
Features of Type I Socket
This socket type is specifically designed to accommodate plugs with two slanted, flat pins or an additional third grounding pin. It’s a unique setup that you’ll see across these diverse destinations, ensuring your gadgets stay charged and ready to use during your travels. So, don’t forget to pack a suitable adaptor to keep your devices powered up without a hitch!

Number of pins | 2 or 3 |
Grounded | No |
Voltage | 220 – 240 volts |
Ampere | 10, 15 or 20 amps |
Other types of plugs that fit | None |
Other sockets compatible with Type I | None |
Do you need a travel adaptor for your UK devices? | Yes |
Click here if you need a travel adaptor for Type I
Dimensions
The outer pins of a Type I plug measure 6.3 millimetres in width and 17.3 millimetres in length, spaced 13.7 millimetres apart. The grounding pin on grounded plugs is 20 millimetres long.
Using Type I Plug
Type I sockets are crafted specifically for connecting Type I plugs. While some variants lack a grounding pin, a Type I plug will not fit into sockets of another type.
In countries that utilise Type I, such as Australia and China, the orientation of the sockets can vary; the grounding pin might be positioned at the top in China and at the bottom in Australia. However, this difference in installation does not impact the functionality of your devices. Although Chinese plugs are officially 1 millimetre longer, this slight difference typically doesn’t cause any compatibility issues.
You’re also likely to find Type I sockets in other countries like New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, and Argentina.
It’s prudent to always travel with a suitable adaptor when visiting countries with Type I sockets, unless your devices already feature Type I plugs. For an extensive list of countries that use Type I, feel free to use the search function on our website.
The Necessity of a Travel Adaptor
Carrying a suitable travel adaptor compatible with Type I sockets is highly recommended to prevent any potential mishaps.
Without the correct adaptor, you could face issues such as being unable to charge your devices, damaging your charger, or in extreme cases, causing short circuits, electrical shocks, or fire hazards. Clearly, these are complications best avoided!