Travel Adaptor for Brazil
& Brazilian Plug Types
Brazil Plug Types & Sockets
- Voltage
-
127 / 220 V
- Frequency
-
60 Hz
Brazil uses plug types A, B, C, I and N with matching sockets. Voltage: 127 / 220 V, Frequency: 60 Hz.
Your British (type G) plugs will not fit any of the Brazilian sockets.
Type N sockets are the most common so our recommendation is a UK to type N plug adaptor for maximum compatibility.
-
Adaptor Required?
(See recommended adaptors) - Yes
UK to Brazil Plug Adaptors
Best choice
Our Adaptor Recommendation
Our primary recommendation is for a type N plug adaptor as that will fit the most commonly found sockets in Brazil. You may however be presented with any one of the sockets shown (types A, B, C, I and N). In addition to our primary recommendation you might want to consider the secondary travel adaptors shown below if you want to be absolutely certain of being able to plug in and access power anywhere. Due to the number of different sockets found in Brazil you may also want to seriously consider a universal travel adaptor, which is a single unit capable of plugging in to multiple socket types.
A simple unearthed adaptor is compact and enough for phone chargers and most travel electronics. Models with USB or USB-C ports are useful when charging several devices, while PD ports are suitable for compatible laptops. For earthed equipment or several mains-powered appliances, choose an earthed adaptor or power strip.
Our recommendations for the best UK to Brazil travel adaptors ensure that you'll always be able to connect your British type G plugs to the Brazilian type A, B, C, I and N sockets.
Other Travel Adaptors You May Find Useful in Brazil
These are particularly important to consider if you have critical equipment (eg medical) to plug in and can't verify exactly what sockets will be present at your destination and need to cover all the possibilities.
Choosing the Right Power Adaptor
Having overcome the pesky differences in plug types and socket configurations you now need to decide what sort of adaptor suits your own, specific needs.
If you decide to buy an adaptor, here are some useful features to consider:
- Earthed vs unearthed adaptors
- Multiplug adaptors
- Extensions / power strip adaptors (great for families)
- Integral USB / USB-C ports for charging devices like phones and tablets
- Dedicated charging hubs with multiple ports
- USB-C port with power delivery (PD) using GaN technology for laptop charging up to 140W
- Universal adaptors (any plug to any socket) for the ultimate in versatility
- Combined transformer / adaptors
Brazil Electrical Supply
Brazil uses plug types A, B, C, I and N with matching sockets.
The electrical supply voltage is 127 / 220 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
Brazil - Traveller Notes
Type I is becoming common for 220 V outlets and appliances in 127 V areas. Dual-voltage wiring is rather common for high-powered appliances, such as clothes dryers and electric showers which tend to be 220 V even in 127 V areas. Depending on the area, the exact voltage might be 115 V, 127 V, or 220 V. The A, B and C types are sometimes together (flat with rounder ends and ground pin) so that an A, B or C type can be used. Also note that by Jan 1st 2010, Brazil converted to the IEC 60906-1 international plug (type N) which looks similar to type J but is not compatible. Since then, all devices shall comply with new standard.
Voltage Converters
Please be aware that whilst a power adaptor will allow you to physically insert a UK plug into a Brazilian socket it will not change the voltage or frequency of the local mains supply.
Voltage - Multiple voltages are in use in Brazil (127 V / 220 V). It is therefore necessary to verify what the voltage is locally before plugging in an appliance. Some countries use different sockets for the different voltages but this is not always the case so always check first. UK appliances will generally operate satisfactorily with a voltage in the range 220-250 V. If the local supply is in the range 100-127 V you will need to check the voltage requirements of your appliance to determine if you need a transformer or voltage converter.
Frequency - Brazil operates at 60 Hz, compared with 50 Hz in the UK. Most modern travel electronics are designed to work at either frequency and will be marked 50/60 Hz. However, some appliances containing motors, clocks and other frequency-sensitive equipment may not operate correctly at 60 Hz. Check the frequency rating on your device before use; if it is marked 50/60 Hz, it is suitable for either frequency. If you are unsure, particularly with specialist or medical equipment, check with the manufacturer.
Most modern travel gadgets, chargers and laptops are dual voltage and will work worldwide; check the appliance or power supply for an input such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz.
If you have equipment that is not compatible with the Brazilian supply voltage, check our transformers page for further information and available options for transformers and power converters that you can use in Brazil. Voltage converters and transformers only change the voltage, not the frequency, of the supply. Changing the frequency requires specialist frequency-conversion equipment, which is not normally practical for travellers.
If you need to take items like hair dryers / straighteners that draw high current then see our hair straighteners page for information on how it can affect your choice of travel adaptor.
Brazil Plug Type Specifications
Plug Type A
NEMA 1-15 class II unearthed, rated at 15A. Commonly found in Central and North America.
The plug has 2 flat blades 1.5mm thick, 15.9 - 18.3 mm long and spaced 12.7mm apart. The neutral blade is 7.9mm wide whilst the live is 6.3mm wide, meaning the plug is polarised and can only be inserted into the socket one way around. Some Japanese plugs have 2 equal width blades, making them unpolarised. Unearthed type A sockets have not been permitted in new buildings across the USA and Canada for many years but they can still be found in older buildings.
Plug Type B
NEMA 5-15 class I earthed, rated at 15A. Commonly found in Central and North America.
The plug has 2 flat blades 1.5mm thick, 15.9 - 18.3 mm long and 6.3mm wide spaced 12.7mm apart. There is also a 4.8mm round or U shaped earth pin which is 3.2mm longer than the 2 blades in order to ensure that the appliance is earthed before the live electrical connection is made. The earth pin is offset from the 2 blades by 11.9mm.
The blades are uninsulated, making them dangerous as a partially pulled out plug can remain connected but the blades are exposed and could be touched, particularly by the fingers of a small child.
Plug Type C
Plug type C (CEE 7/16) is the most widely used electrical plug in the world but most common in Europe. It has 2, insulated, 4mm round pins spaced 19mm apart and 19mm long. The spacing of the pins tapers to 17.5mm at the tips assisting in gripping the socket.
A second version (CEE 7/17) has 2, uninsulated, 4.8mm pins and is rated at either 10A or 16A for high power, unearthed appliances.
Type C sockets are being phased out in most countries around the world and are being replaced with their earthed equivalents (Types E and F in Europe).
Plug Type I
Type I plugs have 3 flat blades in a triangular configuration, and are rated at 10A. The live and neutral blades are 1.6mm thick, 6.35mm in width, spaced 13.7mm apart and 17.3mm long. They are set at 60° to each other in an upside down V. The earth blade is also 6.35mm wide but is 20mm long and offset by 10.3mm. The blades are insulated and there is a 2 blade (unearthed) version with just the 2 V blades.
There is also a 15A version where the earth blade is wider at 9.08mm. A further 20A version has all 3 blades wider at 9.08mm. Lower power plugs will fit higher power sockets but not vice versa.
Plug Type N
Plug type N is available in 3 variants rated at 10A, 16A and 20A. In all 3 variants the plug has 3 round pins arranged in a triangle where the pins are 19mm long, the live and neutral pins are spaced 19mm apart and the earth pin is offset by 3mm. The plugs are polarised and the live and neutral pins are insulated to protect against accidental electrocution in the case of a partially pulled out plug.
The 10A and 20A variants are found in Brazil with the 10A version having pins of 4mm diameter and the 20A one 4.8mm.
The 16A variant is found in South Africa and has a pin diameter of 4.5mm.
This plug looks similar to the type J plug used in Switzerland but the two are incompatible as the earth pin has a smaller offset in the type N plug.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Travel Adaptors for Brazil
-
Brazil uses type A, B, C, I and N plugs. Type N are the most commonly used.
-
Brazil uses type A, B, C, I and N sockets. Type N are the most commonly used.
-
There are multiple sockets used in Brazil. A type N adaptor would be a good choice as that will fit the most commonly found sockets. Adaptors with USB or USB-C ports are useful for directly charging compatible devices. Some UK appliances may also require a voltage converter.
-
Multiple voltages are used in Brazil (127 V / 220 V). Many travel gadgets are dual voltage and will work worldwide; check the appliance or power supply for an input such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz. Single voltage UK appliances designed for 230 V will operate in the range of 220-250 V. If the local voltage is in the range 100-127 V you may need a voltage converter or transformer.
-
To charge your phone in Brazil you can use your normal phone charger with a type N plug adaptor. Modern phone chargers are normally dual voltage, but check the input rating before use.
Alternatively, you can use a travel adaptor with built-in USB or USB-C ports and connect your phone directly with the appropriate charging cable. The adaptor's USB ports convert the local supply to the voltage required by your phone, so no separate voltage converter is needed. -
Yes, type C plugs are cross compatible with the type N sockets used in Brazil.
-
Brazilian plug adaptors have 3 round pins in a triangular configuration. Here's a picture of a Brazil plug adaptor.
