Travel Adapter for Peru
& Peruvian Plug Types
Peru Plug Types & Outlets
- Voltage
-
220 V
- Frequency
-
60 Hz
Peru uses plug types A, B and C with matching outlets. Voltage: 220 V, Frequency: 60 Hz.
Your American (type A/B) plugs will fit the most common (but not all) of the Peruvian outlets.
Type A/B outlets are the most common so you should not need a plug adapter.
-
Adapter Required?
(See recommended adapters) - No ! (Most outlets)
USA to Peru Plug Adapters
Our Adapter Recommendation
You should not need a plug adapter as the most common outlets are the same type A/B as the American ones. You may however be presented with any one of the outlets shown (types A, B and C). In addition to our primary recommendation you might want to consider the secondary travel adapters shown below if you want to be absolutely certain of being able to plug in and access power anywhere.
Our recommendations for the best US to Peru travel adapters ensure that you'll always be able to connect your American type A/B plugs to the Peruvian type A, B and C outlets.
Other Travel Adapters You May Find Useful in Peru
These are particularly important to consider if you have critical equipment (eg medical) to plug in and can't verify exactly what outlets will be present at your destination and need to cover all the possibilities.
Choosing the Right Power Adapter
Having overcome the pesky differences in plug types and outlet configurations you now need to decide what sort of adapter suits your own, specific needs.
If you decide to buy an adapter, here are some useful features to consider:
- Grounded vs ungrounded adapters
- Multiplug adapters
- Extensions / power strip adapters (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 adapters (any plug to any outlet) for the ultimate in versatility
- Combined transformer / adapters
Peru Electrical Supply
Peru uses plug types A, B and C with matching outlets.
The electrical supply voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
Peru - Traveler Notes
Talara 110/220 V; Arequipa 50 Hz
Voltage Converters
Please be aware that whilst a power adapter will allow you to physically insert a US plug into a Peruvian outlet it will not change the voltage or frequency of the local mains supply.
Voltage - The Peruvian mains supply is 220 V which is well above the normal US range of 120 V +/- 5%. Single-voltage US appliances designed for 120 V will need a transformer or voltage converter to operate safely. If it is not marked as able to accept the local voltage do not plug it in! It is extremely dangerous to attempt to operate appliances at voltages that are higher than they are rated for and it could result in damage to the appliance, fire and serious injury to the operator
Frequency - Peru operates at 60 Hz, the same as the US. Frequency compatibility is therefore not a problem for US appliances.
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 Peruvian supply voltage, check our transformers page for further information and available options for transformers and power converters that you can use in Peru. 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.
Peru 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.
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 outlet.
A second version (CEE 7/17) has 2, uninsulated, 4.8mm pins and is rated at either 10A or 16A for high power, ungrounded appliances.
Type C outlets are being phased out in most countries around the world and are being replaced with their grounded equivalents (Types E and F in Europe).
Frequently Asked Questions
About Travel Adapters for Peru
-
Peru uses type A, B and C plugs. Type A/B are the most commonly used.
-
Peru uses type A, B and C outlets. Type A/B are the most commonly used.
-
American travelers should not need a plug adapter as the most common outlets are the same type A/B as found in the US. Some US appliances may require a voltage converter.
-
The mains supply in Peru is 220 V which is well above the normal US range of 120 V +/- 5%. 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 US appliances designed for 120 V will need a voltage converter or transformer to operate safely. Do not plug a 120 V-only appliance into a 220 V supply - it is dangerous.
-
As American travelers don't need a plug adapter you should be able to use your normal charging equipment.
-
Some (but not the most common) outlets in Peru are compatible with type C plugs so you would be advised to check ahead with your destination to verify what type of outlets are fitted.