1. Introduction to Global AC Power
50 Hz, V
50 Hz, V
60 Hz, 120 V
50/60 Hz, 100V
50 Hz, V
60 Hz, 110/220 V
60 Hz, 110/220 V

2. Global Power Input Requirements
Know the Market your product is Intended to Serve !
Min Voltage Variation = Nominal -15% to Nominal +10%
Min Global Voltage Range: 85 – 264 VAC Note: Many products relax to 100 – 240VAC
Min Frequency Variation = Nominal +/- 3 Hz
Min Global Frequency Range: Hz, Hz Note: Many products use Hz
Plug versions cover Types A-M
For complete global listing see World Wide Electricity Reference document

3. COUNTRY
VOLTAGE
FREQUENCY
PLUG
COMMENTS
Afghanistan
220V
50 Hz
C & F *
* A UN correspondent reports C and F common in Kabul, but its likely a variety of plugs may be used around the country.  Some sources report Type D also in use.
Albania
220V*
50 Hz
C & F
*Voltage variations common
Algeria
230V
50 Hz
C* & F
*A variation of Type C with a ground post offset about 1/2-inch from center may also be found.
American Samoa
120V
60 Hz
A, B, F & I
Angola
220V
50 Hz C
Anguilla
110V
60Hz
A (maybe B)
Antigua
230V*
60 Hz
A & B
*Airport area is reportedly Antigua power is 110V.
Argentina
220V
50 Hz
C & I*
*Neutral and line wires are reversed from that used in Australia and elsewhere.  Click here for more.
Armenia
220V
50 Hz
C & F
Aruba
127V*
60 Hz
A, B & F
*Lago Colony 115V
Australia
230V*
50 Hz I
*Outlets typically controlled by adjacent switch. Though nominal voltage has been officially changed to 230V, 240V is within tolerances and commonly found. 
Austria
230V
50 Hz
C, F
Azores
220V*
50 Hz
B, C, & F
*Ponta Delgada 110V; to be converted to 220V
For complete global listing see World Wide Electricity Reference document

4. AC Power Quality – Standards
Types A & B
No Standardization, Many Types
Many countries have multiple plug/receptacle types in service

5. AC Power Quality – Standards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          A typical voltage sag
Voltage sags are by far the most common power disturbance

6. Organizations that create power standards
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IEC - International Electrotechnical Commission
NEMA - National Electrical Manufacturers Association
NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
NEC - National Electric Code
US Military
Organizations that create power standards

7. IEEE Power Quality Standards IEEE 1433: Power Quality Definitions
IEEE 519: Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems
IEEE 1159 :Monitoring Electric Power Quality
IEEE P1564: Voltage Sag Indices (Prelim)
IEEE P1453: Voltage flicker (Prelim)
IEEE P446: Emergency and standby power
IEEE Power
Quality
Standards

8. IEC Power Quality Standards IEC SC77A: Low frequency EMC Phenomena
SC 77A/WG 1: Harmonics and other low-frequency disturbances
SC 77A/WG 6: Low frequency immunity tests
SC 77A/WG 2: Voltage fluctuations and other low-frequency disturbances
SC 77A/WG 8: Electromagnetic interference related to the network frequency
SC 77A/WG 9: Power Quality measurement methods
SC 77A/PT : Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) - Part 3-1: Limits - Overview of emission standards and guides.
IEC Power
Quality
Standards

9. Power Quality Stds Also Exist for Military Equipment
MIL-STD-1399: "Interface Standard for Shipboard Systems" covers the design and testing of electric power systems and user equipment. It applies only to shipboard power. The standard is fairly complete, covering Type I, II, and III shipboard power. It provides specifications on sags, interruptions, impulses, unbalance, and harmonics. Last revision: Notice 1, 11 Mar 1992.
MIL-STD-704E: " Interface Standard for Aircraft Electric Power " specifications for aircraft power quality, including DC, single-phase, and three-phase systems. It provides specifications on sags, interruptions, impulses, unbalance, and harmonics. Last revision: 1 May 1991.
MIL-M-24116B(SH): "Monitors, Voltage and Frequency, 400 Hz Electric Power" covers trip levels and durations of voltage and frequency monitors. It applies only to shipboard installations.
Last revision: Amendment 1, 29 October 1985.
Power Quality Stds Also Exist for Military Equipment

10. ANSI Related Standards
ANSI C62: Guides and standards on surge protection
ANSI C84.1: Voltage ratings for equipment & power systems
ANSI C57.110: Transformer derating for supplying non-linear loads
ANSI Related
Standards

11. Room Temp Amp Limits vs Solid Conductor Wire Gauges (60oC Limit)
Stranded wires are calculated by calculating the equivalent cross-sectional area.
AWG
Diameter
(in)
NEC
Ampacity with 60°C insulation
Diameter
(mm) 1
7.348
0.2893
110 2
6.543
0.2576 95 3
5.827
0.2294 85 4
5.189
0.2043 70 5
4.621
0.1819
Wires must be treated as any Resistor in terms of voltage drop, power dissipation and thermal rise 6
4.115
0.1620 55 7
3.665
0.1443 8
3.264
0.1285 40 9
2.906
0.1144 10
2.588
0.1019 30 11
2.304
0.0907 12
2.052
0.0808 20 13
1.829
0.0720 14
1.628
0.0641 15 15
1.450
0.0571 16
1.291
0.0508 12

12. Power Input/Output Safety Devices
Grounded Plugs
Switches
Thermal 1-Time Metallic Fuses
PTC Auto-Reset-Able Fuses
PTC Inrush Current Limiters
Thermal and Magnetic Circuit Breakers
Transient Surge Protectors, Diode/SCR Clamps
EMC Line Filters
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters – GFCI
Optical or Galvanic Isolation Signal Interfaces

13. US NEMA 5-15 Plug and Receptacle
Note that the receptacle will also accept an ungrounded plug whether polarized or unpolarized. The round earth terminal is not intended to carry current accept in failure conditions.
15 Amp Max
NEMA 5-15 / CSA22.2-Nº42
The type B plug has two flat parallel pins with the same geometry as type A, and a round ground or earthing pin (American standard NEMA 5-15/Canadian CSA 22.2, Nº42). It is rated at 15 amperes. The ground pin is longer than the two parallel pins so that the device is grounded before the supply is connected. The neutral jack in the type B socket is wider to accommodate polarized type A plugs, but the type B plugs often have both pins narrow, the ground pin enforcing polarity.

14. 20 Amp Max NEMA 5-20 / CSA22.2-Nº42 US NEMA 5-20 Plug and Receptacle
The type B plug has 2 flat pins at right angels with the same geometry. The NEMA5-20R is designed to accept both ungrounded style as well as grounded 5-15 type plugs in addition to the above 5-20P.

15. GFCI = Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
NEMA 5-20 Plug and GFCI Receptacle
20 Amp Max
GFCI = Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Senses current in ground and opens circuit if it exceed the rated value (typically 20-30mA)

16. AC Power Efficiency – Standards