Type A vs. Type K
Comparing 2 standards across 5 specifications. 5 key differences identified.
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.
Type K is Denmark's standard -- two round power pins plus a separate round earth pin mounted on the plug, offset from center. Used exclusively in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands; EU accession has allowed Schuko (Type F) sockets in Danish homes since the early 1990s.
Specification Comparison Table
5 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Pin Count
|
2 flat parallel blades, non-coplanar, 12.7mm apart | 2 round power pins + 1 round/D-shaped earth pin (on the plug) |
|
Rated Current
|
15 A | 16 A |
|
Rated Voltage
|
125 V | 250 V |
|
Grounded
|
No | Yes |
|
Common Regions
|
USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Japan | Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands (exhaustive -- not used elsewhere) |