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

Type L vs. Type N

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

Comparing:
Type L
Type N
Type L →

Type L, Italy's standard, uses three round pins in a straight line rather than a triangle, in two incompatible sizes (10A and 16A). Chile and Uruguay use the same physical design, though no independently confirmed national standard document defines it in either country.

View full Type L 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 L
Type N
Pin Count
3 round pins in a straight line (unpolarized/reversible) 3 round pins in a triangle (symmetrical layout)
Grounded
Yes, both sizes Yes, both implementations
Common Regions
Italy, Chile, Uruguay Brazil (exclusively) and South Africa (exclusively) -- used nowhere else as a primary standard
Rated Current
10 or 16 (two incompatible sizes) A —
Rated Voltage
250 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 L vs. Type A → Compare Type L vs. Type B → Compare Type L vs. Type C → Compare Type L vs. Type D → Compare Type L vs. Type E → Compare Type L vs. Type F (Schuko) → Compare Type L vs. Type G → Compare Type L vs. Type H → Compare Type L vs. Type I → Compare Type L vs. Type J → Compare Type L vs. Type K → Compare Type L vs. Type M → Compare Type L vs. Type O →