Outlet Type B: need a travel adapter or not?

When heading to Canada, Mexico, and some Central American countries, chances are you’ll come across Type B outlets.

This type of outlet is designed for a three-pronged, grounded plug with two flat, parallel pins and a round grounding pin. Quite similar to the Type A plug.

Features of Type B Outlet

A distinctive feature of Type B plugs is the holes at the end of the two flat pins. These holes allow the plug to securely click into the outlet, keeping it snug and less likely to come loose. Additionally, the plug includes a U-shaped grounding pin.

Number of pins	3
Grounded	Yes
Voltage	100 – 127 volts
Ampere	15 amps
Other types of plugs that fit	Type A
Other outlets compatible with Type B	None
Need a travel adapter for American devices?	No

Click here if you need a travel adapter for Type B

Travel adapter for type B

Features for Type B Outlet

Type B outlets and plugs are designed to handle up to 15 amps and operate within a voltage range of 100 to 127 volts.

In certain regions of Central and South America, Type B outlets are scarce. People sometimes trim off the grounding pin to make plugs fit, but this is strongly discouraged due to the potential dangers.

Dimensions

The pin dimensions are precisely determined. The flat pins have a width of about 1.5 millimeters and a length ranging from 15.9 to 18.3 millimeters. The grounding pin is 3.2 millimeters longer than the other two pins.

Using the Type B Plug

The Type B outlet is specifically designed for Type B plugs, but Type A plugs also fit. However, it’s not possible to use Type B plugs in Type A outlets because of the grounding pin.

You’ll find Type B outlets in countries like Jamaica, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and some parts of the Caribbean.

Before you embark on your journey, it’s good to check whether your destination uses this type of outlet. You can easily do this through the search function on this website, so you can purchase a suitable travel adapter if needed.