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

Type D vs. Type J

Comparing 2 standards across 5 specifications. 3 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Type D
Type J
Type D →

Type D is the old British 5A standard (BS 546, 1934) -- three large round pins in a triangle. It predates and is completely incompatible with the UK's later Type G, and remains the primary domestic standard in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka today.

View full Type D 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 D
Type J
Pin Count
3 round pins in a triangle (large, non-coplanar sizing) 3 round pins in a triangle, smaller than Type D/M; hexagonal plug body
Rated Current
5 A 10 or 16 A
Rated Voltage
250 V 250 V
Grounded
Yes Yes
Common Regions
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Namibia, and roughly 40 countries with British-influenced history Switzerland, Liechtenstein only

Other Alternatives to Compare

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