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

Type B vs. Type M

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

Comparing:
Type B
Type M
Type B →

Type B adds a round grounding pin to Type A's two flat blades -- NEMA 5-15, the most common outlet in North America. The ground pin is deliberately longer than the power blades, so it connects before and disconnects after them, a safety-sequencing feature shared with several other grounded plug types worldwide.

View full Type B 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 B
Type M
Pin Count
2 flat blades + 1 round ground pin (longer than the blades) 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
Yes Yes
Common Regions
USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Japan (grounded appliances) South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, also found in India and Nepal for heavy-duty circuits

Other Alternatives to Compare

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