What is IEC Type M Plug and Socket (Outlet)?

The Type M plug or South African electrical plug has three circular pins and is essentially a larger version of the Type D plug.

What is a Type M plug?

IEC type M plug resembles the Indian type D plug, but its pins are much larger. Type M plug is a 15 amp power plug, and it has three round prongs that form a triangle.

the Type M plug dimensions

The central earth pin is 28.6 mm long and has a diameter of 8.7 mm. The 7.1 mm line and neutral pins are 18.6 mm long, on centers spaced 25.4 mm apart. The center-to-center distance between the grounding pin and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins is 28.6 mm. The South African version of the Type M plug often has insulated sleeves on the pins to prevent accidental contact with a bare connector while the plug is partially inserted. 

Information on the Type M Electrical Outlet

Although type D plug is used in India and Nepal, type M is also used for larger appliances in those countries. Some sockets over there can take both type M and type D plugs.

Type M is also used in Israel and the United Arab Emirates for heavy appliances such as air-conditioning circuits (where wall-mounted units are plugged into a dedicated socket) and certain types of washing machines. In the UK, type M is still the standard plug for theatre installations, despite efforts to move to the international blue- and red-colored industrial CEE plugs.

Incidentally, in 2013, South Africa made the new type N plugs and sockets the preferred standard, gradually replacing the Type M plug and socket system.

Since 2018, all new buildings in South Africa must incorporate at least one type N socket outlet. Erm, come again? Only one single receptacle of the preferred standard? This is mind-boggling!

Why would a government deliberately opt for the excruciatingly slow adoption of a new, safer standard? No wonder the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) thinks the transition process will only be completed in 20 to 50 (!) years! This is utterly absurd… 

What countries use type M plug?

Type M plug is used almost exclusively in South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho.

Used in countries:

What is the difference between plug Type D and M?

The Type D electrical plug has three large round pins in a triangular pattern. Type M plugs are often used alongside Type D plugs for larger appliances, and as a result, some sockets work with both Type D and Type M plugs.

The Type M plug has three round pins in a triangular pattern and looks similar to the Indian Type D plug, but its pins are much larger. Type M plugs are sometimes used for bigger appliances in countries that use Type D plugs and in Israel (Type H). Therefore, sockets in these countries sometimes work with Type M plugs.

Type M plug certificate

Organization: SABS

The South Africa SANS 164-3 (BS546) standard 3 prong 6 amp replaced Old British standard BS 546 6amp. Power cords manufactured in compliance with South African SABS 164-3 standards, (The South Africa SANS 164-1 (aka BS546) standard 3 prong 16 amp is the same as India IS 1293 IA16A3. Power cords manufactured in compliance with South African SABS 164-1 standard) Old English BS546. SABS agency approvals and certifications are available on the product specification page.

We have made a very detailed graphic introduction in the article safety marks for more information about the safety certification of power cord plugs.

Now It’s Your Turn

So that’s how I understand the type M plug and socket.

Now I want to turn it over to you: Through my article, do you understand Type M electrical plugs and Sockets (Outlets)?

Do you have a different point of view with the Type M power plug? Or any other questions?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment below right now.

DCpowercord Youtube Channel