# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Plug Types

Type A vs. Type J

Comparing 2 standards across 5 specifications. 5 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Type A
Type J
Type A →

Type A is the ungrounded 2-flat-pin plug standard in North America, Central America, and Japan -- NEMA 1-15, rated 15A/125V. It's a physical subset of Type B: any Type A plug fits directly into a Type B socket, the ground pin recess simply unused.

View full Type A spec sheet →
Type J →

Type J is Switzerland's own standard -- three round pins in a small hexagonal-bodied plug, in 10A and 16A variants. Its design directly influenced Brazil's and South Africa's later Type N standards, though reversed polarity during adaptation broke compatibility with its own descendants.

View full Type J spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

5 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Type A
Type J
Pin Count
2 flat parallel blades, non-coplanar, 12.7mm apart 3 round pins in a triangle, smaller than Type D/M; hexagonal plug body
Rated Current
15 A 10 or 16 A
Rated Voltage
125 V 250 V
Grounded
No Yes
Common Regions
USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Japan Switzerland, Liechtenstein only

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare Type A vs. Type B → Compare Type A vs. Type C → Compare Type A vs. Type D → Compare Type A vs. Type E → Compare Type A vs. Type F (Schuko) → Compare Type A vs. Type G → Compare Type A vs. Type H → Compare Type A vs. Type I → Compare Type A vs. Type K → Compare Type A vs. Type L → Compare Type A vs. Type M → Compare Type A vs. Type N → Compare Type A vs. Type O →