India Type D Travel Adapter (BS 546)
India commonly uses Type D plugs, which have three round pins arranged in a triangular pattern. The formal designation is BS 546. It is a grounded plug design still used in parts of South Asia and encountered in some legacy installations elsewhere.
A Type D travel adapter, also spelled Type D travel adaptor or BS 546 adaptor plug, changes the plug shape only. It does not convert voltage.
Travel adapters for this plug are also commonly sold as an India travel adapter, US to India plug adapter, USA to India adapter, India plug adapter, or India power adapter.
Type D Quick Facts
- Three round pins in a triangular pattern
- Formally designated BS 546
- Grounded plug design
- Commonly used with 220–240V electrical systems
- Encountered with 50Hz and 60Hz power systems
- Grounded may also be described as earthed
What Plug Adapter Do I Need for India from the USA?
Travelers from the United States need a plug adapter to use U.S. Type A or Type B plugs with Type D outlets in India. These are commonly sold as a US to India plug adapter, USA to India adapter, or India power adapter.
Type C and Type M outlets may also be encountered in India. For complete country-specific information, see the India plug and adapter guide.
A plug adapter changes the plug shape only. It does not convert voltage.
Will a Type C Europlug Fit a Type D Outlet?
A two-pin Type C Europlug may physically fit some Type D outlets because the two round power pins are similarly spaced. However, Type C is not a grounded Type D plug, and the fit can be loose or unreliable. Use the correct travel adapter rather than relying on an incidental fit.
Type D Compared with Type M
Type D and Type M plugs both have three round pins arranged in a triangle, but Type M is larger. The two plug types are not interchangeable, and a Type M South Africa plug will not fit a Type D adapter or outlet.
Popular Type D Destinations
India · Nepal · Pakistan · Bangladesh
Countries Using Type D Plugs
The Type D pattern corresponds to the 5A version of BS 546; India’s modern equivalent is commonly rated at 6A under IS 1293.
The two line and neutral pins are about 5.1 mm in diameter and 14.9 mm long, spaced 19.1 mm apart; the earth pin is about 7.1 mm in diameter and 20.6 mm long.
Adapter may also be spelled adaptor, and grounded may also be described as earthed.
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