Interpower Connections

Interpower Connections—January 2010

Interpower Corporation is delighted to send you the January edition of the Interpower Connections. This edition looks specifically at what a designer needs to know when specifying product to be used in South America. To also assist you with specifying the correct electrical component for world wide marketplace, Interpower Corporation is offering, for free, our Interpower Guide to Worldwide Plug and Socket Patterns. You can download the Guide as a PDF, print it off and post it or save a copy for future reference. Upcoming editions will take a look at other subjects that we hope will be of interest to both experienced and new designers alike. Should you have a question that Connections has yet to answer, please email us at info@interpower.com.

Designing for Export to South America

When a designer begins to develop specifications for a new product to be used in South America there are numerous items to take into consideration. Knowing and understanding the electrical connection requirements for South America may be one of the first steps in the process.

 

The countries of South America use a number of voltages and plug configurations throughout the continent. We hope the following information on the plug and voltage requirements for South America will help you, the designer, begin your journey of developing a new product for sale in that region.

 

Argentina is one of currently three South American countries that have developed their own plug configuration. The Argentine plug closely resembles the Australian plug but has several differences. First the length of the blades are one millimeter longer than the Australian plug, secondly the Argentine plug does not have insulated blades and most importantly the line and neutral blade wiring is reversed from what is done on the Australian plug. This is important to remember when exporting equipment to both Australia and Argentina.

The electrical rating for Argentina is 250VAC/50Hz

 

Brazil is the second of three South American countries that has developed its own plug configuration. The new Brazilian plug will become became mandatory in January 2010,  and is replacing several configurations including the North American and Continental European versions. The new plug design is based on the IEC 60906-1 standard. There are two versions of the new plug which includes one rated at 10A and another rated at 20A. The new Brazilian plug does resemble the Swiss plug but the Brazil pin alignment is slightly different and the Brazil plug also has the line and neutral pins partially insulated.

The electrical rating for Brazil is 250VAC/60Hz

 

 

Uruguay is the third South American country that has adopted its own plug configuration. Uruguay uses the Italian plug at 220V, 50Hz.

 

There are a number of other plug configurations that are used throughout South America which include the following styles. It is important to note that some countries in the region may use several different plug configurations.

 

One type of plug configuration which is commonly seen is the Continental European (Schuko) plug. This plug is commonly used in Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

 

Another type of plug configuration which is commonly seen is the North American plug. This plug is commonly used in Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.

 

In addition to Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, there is an assortment of electrical voltages in South America which are included below.

 

It is important to keep in mind that each country will have its own agency to review safety and performance based on their national test criteria. An example of this would be the Brazilian standards agency INMETRO that administers the approval of electrical components intended for use in that country.  

 

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Interpower Corporation now offers Brazilian Power Cords and Cordsets!

Interpower Corporation announces new power cords that have a Brazilian 10A or 20A plug, HAR cable, and stripped conductors. The cordsets have the Brazilian 10A or 20A plug, HAR cable, and a straight or angled IEC 60320 C13 or C19 connector. Standard, 8 feet lengths of the new Brazilian power cords and cordsets are available from stock, and there is a 1 week manufacturing lead-time on all custom lengths. As always we offer same day shipments on all stock items and free evaluation samples are available upon request. Call our customer service department or place your order online at www.interpower.com.

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Get Your Guide Today for Free!



Interpower Corporation is offering you a chance to request a copy of our popular Guide to Worldwide Plug/Socket patterns wall-chart, download the guide as a PDF, or use it online. There are several ways to get your copy!

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