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

Type A vs. Type M

Comparing 2 standards across 5 specifications. 4 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Type A
Type M
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 M →

Type M is South Africa's large-pin standard -- the 15A variant of the same BS 546 family that produces Type D at 5A. The two share a triangular 3-round-pin layout and standard lineage but use different pin sizes, so they are not physically interchangeable.

View full Type M spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

5 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Type A
Type M
Pin Count
2 flat parallel blades, non-coplanar, 12.7mm apart 3 round pins in a triangle, larger than Type D's
Rated Current
15 A 15 A
Rated Voltage
125 V 220-250 V
Grounded
No Yes
Common Regions
USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Japan South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, also found in India and Nepal for heavy-duty circuits

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 J → Compare Type A vs. Type K → Compare Type A vs. Type L → Compare Type A vs. Type N → Compare Type A vs. Type O →