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

Type J vs. Type M

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

Comparing:
Type J
Type M
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 →
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 J
Type M
Pin Count
3 round pins in a triangle, smaller than Type D/M; hexagonal plug body 3 round pins in a triangle, larger than Type D's
Rated Current
10 or 16 A 15 A
Rated Voltage
250 V 220-250 V
Grounded
Yes Yes
Common Regions
Switzerland, Liechtenstein only South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, also found in India and Nepal for heavy-duty circuits

Other Alternatives to Compare

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