Power Plugs and Sockets in the United Kingdom - Do You Need an Adapter?

If you are travelling to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 from Mexico 🇲🇽, then YES, you will need an adapter.

You are not from Mexico 🇲🇽? Click here to change country.

In the United Kingdom, the plug types used are G. The voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50Hz. On the other hand, in Mexico, the plug types used are A and B. The voltage in Mexico is 127 V with a frequency of 60Hz.

Type G

⚠️ Your devices from Mexico of type A and B will not be valid for any socket and you will need an adapter.

⚠️ Be careful with the voltage difference. In the United Kingdom they use 230 V while in Mexico you have 127 V.

What are the plugs like in the United Kingdom?

In the United Kingdom, the predominant plug types are G. If you are coming from Mexico, then your devices are of type A or B.

For this reason, you will need an adapter, as the plugs in the United Kingdom are not compatible with the devices from Mexico and you will not be able to use your devices.

Special considerations

In the United Kingdom, a ‘shaver’ outlet (similar to type C) is sometimes found in bathrooms and provides power to other types of plugs. There is almost always a 110 V outlet and a 220 V outlet on the same unit, or a switch to select the voltage, which is labeled as 110 V and 220 V. The outlet typically has an on-off switch. Plugs and connectors as per the IEC 60309 standard are used for industrial and construction purposes as well as for outdoor applications in residential and commercial areas. Type D and M plugs are still used in theaters, cinemas, and TV studios due to the fact that they have an internal fuse.

Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to the United Kingdom?

It is important to know that in the United Kingdom the electrical voltage is 230 V, with a frequency of 50Hz. In Mexico, the electrical voltage is 127 V and the frequency is 60Hz.

Due to the large voltage difference, you will need to use a voltage converter to use your devices in the United Kingdom. However, it is important to mention that nowadays many electronic devices (such as mobile phones) are dual voltage, in which case a converter would not be necessary. In the Frequently Asked Questions section, we show you how to verify if your devices are dual voltage.

Regardless of whether you need a voltage converter or not, you need a plug adapter, because the plug types are different in the United Kingdom.

Table of Contents

What are the plugs like in the United Kingdom?
Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to the United Kingdom?
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we will answer some of the most common questions asked by travelers going to the United Kingdom.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in the United Kingdom?

If you are travelling from Mexico to the United Kingdom, you will need an adapter to charge your iPhone or Android mobile device. While it is true that nowadays these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, it should be remembered that both countries have incompatible plug types, so you will need an adapter in the United Kingdom to charge your iPhone or Android.

Can I plug in my laptop charger in the United Kingdom?

If you are travelling from Mexico to the United Kingdom, you will need an adapter to charge your laptop. Generally, these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, but it should be remembered that Mexico and the United Kingdom have incompatible plug types, so an adapter is necessary to charge your laptop in the United Kingdom.

Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in the United Kingdom?

The truth is that you have to be careful with products like hair dryers or hair straighteners, because they are generally not dual voltage. Since the voltage difference is so great between Mexico and the United Kingdom, we recommend buying a voltage adapter to be able to use your hair dryer safely in the United Kingdom.

However, since the plugs in the United Kingdom and Mexico are not compatible, you will need a plug adapter to be able to use the hair straightener and hair dryer.

How do I know if my electrical device is dual voltage?

To know if your electrical device is dual voltage, you must check the label or product specifications. If the label indicates a voltage range, such as 100~240V and a frequency range like 50~60Hz, then your device is dual voltage and can be used without any problems. If your device is not dual voltage, then you will need a voltage converter to be able to use it in sockets in the United Kingdom with a different voltage than your device.

However, remember that dual voltage only affects the voltage and frequency.Since you are travelling to the United Kingdom from Mexico, you will still need a plug adapter.

Dual Voltage Plug

What happens if I connect a 127 V device to a 230 V socket without an adapter?

Under no circumstances should you attempt to connect a 127 V device from Mexico to a 230 V socket in the United Kingdom without a voltage adapter. Doing this poses a great danger and the device could cause a fire. Before travelling to the United Kingdom, make sure you have a voltage adapter.

What happens if I connect a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket without an adapter?

When connecting a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket in the United Kingdom without a frequency adapter, the worst that can happen is that the device may run at a slower speed than expected. Nowadays, most devices are prepared for these small frequency differences, but in older devices, the difference may be more noticeable.