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About this tool
South Africa runs 230 V at 50 Hz on the old type M and the new SANS 164-2 type N socket — see which outlet takes your plug.
This guide works out which South African socket will actually take your plug, and whether you also need a voltage converter. South Africa supplies 230 V at 50 Hz and is mid-way through a change of standard: the large three-round-pin SANS 164-1 socket (IEC type M, 15 A) still dominates existing buildings, while the 2018 edition of the wiring code SANS 10142-1 requires the slimmer SANS 164-2 socket (type N, 16 A) at every outlet point in new and rewired installations. Enter your plug and label details to see which outlets fit and what the load draws.
Open Plug and Voltage Guide for South Africa on AltFTool — it loads instantly in your browser.
Add your input to the workspace.
Adjust the options until the result looks right.
Copy or download the output and put it to work.
Says which of the type M, type N, type D and type G outlets your plug enters, not just yes or no.
Treats the old 15 A type M and the new 16 A type N as the two realities you will meet.
Compares the label voltage range against 230 V rather than leaving it to guesswork.
One that offers both the large three-round-pin type M shape and the slimmer type N shape. Type M (SANS 164-1) is what most existing buildings have; type N (SANS 164-2) has been required at new outlet points since the 2018 wiring code, so newer hotels and apartments have both. US, UK, Australian and Schuko plugs fit neither without an adapter.
In a type N socket, yes — the SANS 164-2 outlet accepts a two-pin Europlug directly, which is why so many imported chargers work in new buildings. It will not enter the older type M socket, so carry an adapter rather than assuming every room has the new outlet.
230 V at 50 Hz. Devices labelled 100-240V 50/60Hz — nearly every laptop, phone and camera charger — need only a shape adapter. A single-voltage 110 V or 120 V appliance needs a step-down transformer, and a 60 Hz-only motor or mains-timed clock will run roughly 17% slow.
About 3,450 W on the 15 A type M socket and about 3,680 W on the 16 A type N socket, since 15 A and 16 A at 230 V come to those figures. That is generous by world standards, but the circuit behind the socket and any multi-plug adaptor have their own lower limits, so do not chain heaters and kettles onto one outlet.