South American cords and power supplies vary based on voltage and plug patterns. Here we provide detail South American power cord guidelines for Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru, as well as a list of voltage by country.
What is the most common plug used in South America?
The US NEMA plug standard is used most commonly throughout South America, except in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru.
What plug is used in Argentina?
Argentina adopted their own plug standard that was based on the Australian plug, with slight changes to the pin dimensions.
The Argentine plug mirrors the Australian plug, except for three major differences: the plug pins are 1 mm longer, no safety contacts are required, and the pin polarity is reversed. The plug and socket used in Class 1 applications in Argentina is defined by IRAM 2073:2009, and the IRAM approval is required on the plug. For Class II products, the standard is IRAM 2063.
The voltage standard in Argentina is 220V at 50Hz. The plug is available in both two and three conductor versions at 10 amps and a plug with larger pins is available for 3 conductors 20A applications.
Here is a list of power cords and plugs for use in Argentina. For more detailed part information, see our guide to Argentina Power Cords.
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Two conductor cords: MEGA P/N: 197-81-2 2.5A/250V H05VVH2F2x0.75mm C7 connector 2 meters |
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MEGA P/N: 197-02 10A/250V H05VVF3G1.0mm no connector 2.5 meters MEGA P/N: 197-C5 2.5A/250V H05VVF3G0.75mm C5 1.8 meters MEGA P/N: 197-000 10A/250V H05VVF3G1.0mm C13 2.5 meters MEGA P/N: 197-000-5 10A/250V H05VVF3G1.0mm C13 5 meters |
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MEGA P/N: 197-010 10A/250V H05VVF3G1.0mm C13 2.5 meters MEGA P/N: 197-010-5 10A/250V H05VVF3G1.0mm C13 5 meters |
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MEGA P/N: 197-30 16A/250V H05VVF3G1.0mm C9 2.5 meters |
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What plug is used in Brazil? Since January 1, 2010 Brazil requires the use of the new plugs under standard NBR14136. The new plug is very similar to the Swiss standard. There are now two-conductor and three-conductor Standards in place. There are 2 versions of the 3-prong plug; one is rated at 10A, and one at 20A.
Brazil uses dual voltage so, depending on the region, voltage might be 115 V, 127 V, or 220 V. |
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The 450-007 is a power cord used in Brazil with 2-prong plug, H03VVH2F2x0.75 to the IEC 60320-C7 connector, is rated at 2.5A/250V, cable length 1.8 meters and carries the INMETRO Approval. This power Cord is for Class II Applications and can connect with any device using the IEC-60320-C8 Inlet. |
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The 450-C5 is a power cord used in Brazil with 3-prong plug, H05VVF3G0.75mm to the IEC 60320-C5 connector, is rated at 2.5A/250V, cable length 1.8 meters and carries the INMETRO Approval. This power Cord is for Class I Applications and can connect with any device using the IEC-60320-C6 Inlet. |
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| The 450-02 is a power cord used in Brazil with 3-prong plug, H05VVF3G1.0mm to ROJ and strip, is rated at 2.5A/250V, cable length 2.5 meters and carries the INMETRO Approval. This power Cord is for Class I Applications. |
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| The 450-000 is a power cord used in Brazil with 3-prong plug, H05VVF3G1.0mm to the IEC 60320-C13 connector, is rated at 10A/250V, cable length 2.5 meters and carries the INMETRO Approval. This power Cord is for Class I Applications and can connect with any device using the IEC-60320-C14 Inlet. |  |
| The 450-30 is a power cord used in Brazil with 3-prong plug, H05VVF3G1.5mm to the IEC 60320-C19 connector, is rated at 160A/250V, cable length 2.5 meters and carries the INMETRO Approval. This power Cord is for Class I Applications and can connect with any device using the IEC-60320-C20 Inlet. |  |
What plug is used in Peru?
Peru uses the Continental European “Schuko” plug per standard IEC 60884-1
The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
There is no separate approval required to ship to Peru, the plug must carry an European approval agency mark. The plug is available in both two and three conductor versions up to 10 amps and a plug with larger pins is available for 3 conductors 16A applications.
What plug is used in Chile?
Chile uses the Italian plug standard CEI 23-50/S16 at 10A and CEI-50/S17 at 16A.
The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
Chile does not have their own test agency. The plugs should carry the IMQ mark from the Italian approval agency. The plug is available in both two and three conductor versions at 10 and 20 amps.
Is there a hospital grade standard in South America?
In countries using the US NEMA plug standard MEGA recommends the use of the 125V Hospital Grade Powercords or 250V Hospital Grade Powercords.
The NEMA standards is the only one with a special usage plug standard for hospital environments, so there is no hospital grade standard in Argentina, Brazil, Chile or Peru.
Other South American countries
The voltage as well as the plug patterns used in other South American countries varies. You should call MEGA Electronics to get engineering guidance on your current project.
Here is a list of the voltage used by country:
- In Colombia, the voltage used is 120V at 60Hz.
- In Ecuador, the voltage used is 120V at 60Hz.
- In Bolivia, the voltage used is 115v/230V at 50Hz.
- In Uruguay, the voltage used is 230V at 50Hz.
- In Paraguay, the voltage used is 220V at 50Hz.
- In Suriname, the voltage used is 127V at 60Hz.
- In Guyana, the voltage used is 120/240V at 50–60Hz.
As an international supplier of power cords and power supplies to some of the leading manufacturers in the world, MEGA Electronics offers the engineering and manufacturing expertise needed to help you complete globally. Let us assist with your next project. Call us today at (732) 249-2656 or fill out our contact us form and we will schedule a call.