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

Type G vs. Type N

Comparing 2 standards across 7 specifications. 7 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Type G
Type N
Type G →

Type G, the British standard (BS 1363, 1947), is the only common plug type with a fuse built into every single plug -- protecting the appliance's cord, not just the household circuit. It's used across the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and much of the Gulf.

View full Type G spec sheet →
Type N →

Type N is used in two places -- Brazil and South Africa -- but they are genuinely different implementations, not one standard: Brazil's NBR 14136 uses two different pin-diameter variants and skips a shutter requirement that South Africa's SANS 164-2 (closer to the source IEC 60906-1 spec) includes.

View full Type N spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

7 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Type G
Type N
Pin Count
3 rectangular pins in a triangle (earth pin longer than power pins) 3 round pins in a triangle (symmetrical layout)
Grounded
Yes Yes, both implementations
Common Regions
UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Malta, Cyprus, Gulf states, over 50 countries total Brazil (exclusively) and South Africa (exclusively) -- used nowhere else as a primary standard
Rated Current
13 A —
Rated Voltage
230-240 V —
Rated Current (Brazil)
— 10 or 20 (4.0mm or 4.8mm pins respectively) A
Rated Current (South Africa)
— 16 (uniform 4.5mm pins) A

Other Alternatives to Compare

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