India
India Travel Adapters
You will need to consider what to pack, to ensure you can use your personal electrical appliances safely while you are abroad. This normally includes the use of a travel adapter, which is a device that simply allows you to plug any US electrical appliance into a foreign electrical socket. It is important to note that it does not convert the voltage or frequency.
General Information: India
For India, there are three associated plug types: type C, type D, and type M.
- Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins
- Plug type D has three large round pins in a triangular pattern
- Plug type M has three round pins in a triangular pattern and looks similar to the type D plug, but its pins are much larger.
India operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Power plugs and sockets
In India the power sockets used are of type C, type D, and type M. Use the photo below to help identify the right plug and socket.
Plug adapters are the interfaces between the American flat-pronged plug and India’s two round-prong socket. These allow you to plug your electrical device into the Indian wall socket, but they do not convert the electricity to the American 110 volts. If your appliance is designed to run only on 110-120 volts, you are likely to see smoke, if not fire, from this potent miss-mating. You will need a step-down voltage converter to safely step the voltage down from 220 to 110.
Buy a power plug/travel adapter for India
Amazon has an great selection of adapters. We don’t sell directly, just want to make sure you have the right one for your travels!
Shop Amazon: India Plug Adapters for Sale
Voltage and frequency
You can use your electric appliances in India, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 volts. Manufacturers take these small deviations into account. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100-120 volts, you need a voltage converter in India. (In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second.
If the frequency in India (50 Hz) differs from the one in your country, it is not advised to use your appliances. But if there is no voltage difference, you could (at your own risk) try to use the appliance for a short time. Be especially careful with moving, rotating and time related appliances like clocks, shavers and electric fan heaters.
To be sure, check the label on the appliance. Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in all countries in the world. Devices like this include most laptops and phones, most recently produced battery chargers, and many small, electrical gadgets, especially those designed for world travel.
Basics on Electricity & Travel
Read our Privacy Policy & Disclaimer.