A 230VAC nominal voltage for public low-voltage electrical distribution systems became standard in all of Europe, except for the United Kingdom, in 2003. This completed an adjustment process that began in 1995.

Single phase circuits have been standardized at 230VAC and the voltage between outer conductors of three phase circuits will be 400VAC. The acceptable voltage tolerance by 2003 will be ±10%.

CENELEC Memorandum No. 14 requires that appliances must be marked with the new voltages. This requirement has been in place since 1993.

The operative document is HD472 S1 which was prepared on the basis of IEC Publication 38 (6th edition).

There are several important differences between North American and European and International standards that affect the power entry design of a “Universal Product.”

Voltages and Frequencies
International single-phase power mains are generally grouped as follows:

100–120V/60Hz: North America, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Northern Caribbean Islands, Taiwan, and South Korea.

100V/50 and 60Hz: Japan (See map in Designing for Export: The Global Marketplace for a guide to frequencies)

220–240V/50Hz: Most of the rest of the world has changed to 230VAC/50Hz power mains.

Note: Since international voltages are about twice as high as the standard 120V used in North America, the amperages drawn by your product overseas will be almost half that drawn here at home. For example, a Class I product designed for use at 12A/120V in North America would draw 6–7A at the higher voltages—typically 220–240VAC—internationally.

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Plugs and Sockets
For Class I applications, there are 11 main plug/socket groupings used throughout the world. See the Guide to Worldwide Plugs and Sockets Patterns for more information.

• Continental Europe: The German “Schuko” standard, also used in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, and Eastern European countries.
• Australia/New Zealand/People’s Republic of China
• Argentina
• United Kingdom and Ireland
• Denmark
• India (old British standard BS 546)
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• North America
• Switzerland

Note: The Argentine plug looks exactly like the Australian/New Zealand and Chinese plug, but there are important differences. First, the nominal diameter of the Argentine plug body is 1mm smaller. Second, the nominal length of the contacts in the Argentine plug are 1mm longer. Finally, line and neutral on the Argentine plug are reversed in comparison with the Australian/New Zealand and Chinese plugs.

Cable
There are two main cable types used internationally: The AWG (American Wire Gauge) system used in North America, and the European Harmonized types. While the AWG system utilizes wire gauge sizes such as 16 or 18AWG, the Harmonized cable is described in terms of mm² (an 18AWG conductor is comparable to 0.75mm²). Do not use AWG cable on products being shipped overseas!

The color coding of the conductors differs between the two types: North American conductors are typically BWG—black (line), white (neutral), and green (ground). Harmonized conductors are BBG/Y—brown (line), blue (neutral), and green/yellow (ground). Note that BBG/Y conductors are accepted in the U.S. and Canada. Interpower Corporation suggests that companies standardize on BBG/Y for both international and North American applications.

The other major difference between the two cable types concerns marking requirements. See the Cable section for more information.

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Fuses
The International 5 x 20mm fuse is much smaller than the North American 3AG fuse (cp. 6x32mm) and the time-current characteristics differ substantially. Generally, specify international 5 x 20mm fuses for overseas applications and a North American 3AG for use in North America. Refer to the Fuse and Fuseholder section for strategies on specifying fuses on a “Universal Product.”

Finally, remember to allow for internal component spacing appropriate for the final standard that you expect your product to meet.