Travel Adapters Made Simple

Travel Adapter for Jamaica
& Jamaican Plug Types

Jamaica Plug Types & Outlets

Jamaica plug type A and outlet type A
Type A plug and outlet - adapter not required
OK
Jamaica plug type B and outlet type B
Type B plug and outlet - adapter not required
OK
Voltage
110 V Warning: Incompatible voltage
Frequency
50 Hz Warning: Incompatible frequency

Jamaica uses plug types A and B with matching outlets. Voltage: 110 V, Frequency: 50 Hz.

Your American (type A/B) plugs will fit the Jamaican outlets.

Adapter Required?
(See recommended adapters)
No
Voltage Converter  
Useful?
(More info)
Yes

USA to Jamaica Plug Adapters

Our Adapter Recommendation

You do not need any plug adapters.

Jamaica Electrical Supply

Jamaica uses plug types A and B with matching outlets.
The electrical supply voltage is 110 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

Voltage Converters

Please be aware that whilst a power adapter will allow you to physically insert a US plug into a Jamaican outlet it will not change the voltage or frequency of the local mains supply.

Voltage - The Jamaican mains supply is 110 V, which is slightly below the US normal range of 120 V +/- 5%. The difference is small though and many appliances will still operate normally, but you should check the voltage requirements of sensitive or critical equipment. For appliances where the voltage is not compatible you may need a transformer or voltage converter to operate your appliance.

Frequency - Jamaica operates at 50 Hz, compared with 60 Hz in the US. 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 50 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 Jamaican supply voltage, check our transformers page for further information and available options for transformers and power converters that you can use in Jamaica. 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 travelers.

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 adapter.

Jamaica Plug Type Specifications

Plug Type A

NEMA 1-15 class II ungrounded, 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 polarized and can only be inserted into the outlet one way around. Some Japanese plugs have 2 equal width blades, making them unpolarized. Ungrounded type A outlets 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 grounded, 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 ground pin which is 3.2mm longer than the 2 blades in order to ensure that the appliance is grounded before the live electrical connection is made. The ground 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.

Frequently Asked Questions
About Travel Adapters for Jamaica

Jamaica uses the same type A and B plugs as the US.

Jamaica uses the same type A and B outlets as the US.

American travelers do not need a plug adapter. Some US appliances may require a voltage converter.

The mains supply in Jamaica is 110 V, which is slightly below the US normal range of 120 V +/- 5%. The difference is small and many appliances will still operate normally, but you should check the voltage requirements of sensitive or critical equipment. 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.

As American travelers don't need a plug adapter you should be able to use your normal charging equipment.

Although we carefully research every destination, electrical standards and outlet installations may vary within some countries. Always check the facilities provided by your accommodation if you have critical equipment or specialist electrical requirements.

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