You need to be aware of the Voltage and Frequency that the country uses.
Country: South Africa
Voltage: 220/230 - Grahamstad & Port Elizabeth 250V; also found in King Williams
Frequency: 50 Hz
Plug Type: M** - Types C & G can also be found in some areas.
Type M Electrical Receptacle
Information on the Type M South African plug Electrical Adapter Plug and Electrical Outlet
The Type M, or South African, electrical plug has three circular pins, and is essentially a larger version of the Type D. The Type M electrical plug is technically known as BS 546 (South African 15 A/250 V). It has been adopted as the standard plug in South Africa.
Type C Electrical Receptacle
Information on the Type C European 2-pin Electrical Adapter Plug and Electrical Outlet
Popularly known as the Europlug, the Type C electrical plug is a two-pin unearthed plug used throughout continental Europe, parts of the Middle East, and much of Africa, South America, central Asia, and the former Soviet republics.
The Type C plug is technically known as the CEE 7/16 (Europlug 2.5 A/250 V unearthed). There is a similar plug with slightly larger pins known as the CEE 7/17. Both types are unearthed and have two round pins which converge slightly. The CEE 7/16 is intended for devices that require 2.5 A or less. The 19 mm separation of the pins and the pins' 4 mm length allow for its safe insertion in most Type C, Type E, Type F, Type H, and some Type L outlets. The larger CEE 7/17 has a round plastic or rubber base that prevents it from being inserted into small sockets. The base has holes to accommodate the side contacts and socket earth pins.
Type G Electrical Receptacle
Information on the Type G British 3-pin Electrical Adapter Plug and Electrical Outlet
The Type G electrical plug is a British three-pin rectangular blade plug that has a protective fuse inside to protect cords from high-current circuits. Type G outlets generally include safety switches.
The Type G plug is commonly known as the 13-amp plug, and technically known as the BS 1363 (British 13 A/230-240 V 50 Hz earthed and fused). For safety reasons, UK wiring regulations require home sockets to have shutters over the live and neutral connections. These shutters are opened by the insertion of the longer earth pin. The shutters also help prevent the use of incompatible plugs made to other standards. It is sometimes possible to open the shutters with a screwdriver in order to insert Type C or other plugs, but this is not advised, as such plugs will not have a fuse.
Eric Moyers
Cisco Network Support Engineer
SBSC Wireless and Surveillance SME
CCNA, CCNA-Wireless
1-866-606-1866
