A Guide to Australian Mains Plug Variants
The Australian standard AS/NZS 3112 defines several variants of the mains plug to cater for different current ratings and specific applications. While the standard 10A plug is used for most domestic appliances, higher-rated versions are required for heavy-duty equipment. These variants are designed with different pin configurations to ensure they can only be used in correctly rated sockets, preventing lower-rated circuits from being overloaded.
| Configuration | 10A 2-Pin | 10A 3-Pin (Flat Earth) | 10A 3-Pin (Round Earth) | 15A 3-Pin | 20A 3-Pin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plug End Pinout |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Description | Standard 10A plug for double insulated appliances. | Standard 10A earthed mains plug. | 10A plug with round earth pin for special purpose outlets. | Standard 15A mains plug with larger earth pin. | Standard 20A mains plug with larger pins. |
| Applications | Double insulated domestic equipment. | Earthed domestic appliances and equipment. | Control circuits, lighting, exhaust fans, IT equipment etc. | Caravans, air conditioning, light industrial appliances. | Plug-in stoves, air conditioning, light industrial equipment. |
| Socket Compatibility | |||||
| Plug fits 10A Flat Earth Socket | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | - |
| Plug fits 10A Round Earth Socket | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | - |
| Plug fits 15A Flat Earth Socket | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
| Plug fits 20A Flat Earth Socket | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Active & Neutral Pin Dimensions | |||||
| 6.35mm × 1.63mm | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - |
| 9.08mm × 1.63mm | - | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Earth Pin Dimensions | |||||
| N/A | ✓ | - | - | - | - |
| 6.35mm × 1.63mm | - | ✓ | - | - | - |
| 9.08mm × 1.63mm | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.75mm diameter | - | - | ✓ | - | - |
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