Editing AC power plugs and sockets (section)

==== China GB&nbsp;2099.1 and GB&nbsp;1002 (Type A & I) ====
[[File:China's 3-pin sockets.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Chinese three-pin socket and compound socket which also accepts NEMA and Europlug (right), and a less common, larger 16&nbsp;A version (left)]]

The standard for Mainland [[China|Chinese]] plugs and sockets (excluding [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]]) is set out in [[Standardization Administration of China|GB]]&nbsp;2099.1 and GB&nbsp;1002. As part of China's commitment for entry into the [[World Trade Organization|WTO]], the new CPCS (Compulsory Product Certification System) has been introduced, and compliant Chinese plugs have been awarded the [[China Compulsory Certificate|CCC Mark]] by this system. The plugs are three-wire, earthed, rated for 10 or 16&nbsp;A, 250&nbsp;V, and are chiefly used for Class&nbsp;I applications. The pins of the 10&nbsp;A version are {{convert|1.5|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} thick by {{convert|6.4|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} wide; the centres of the power pins are placed {{convert|7.9|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} from the plug centre, while the centre of the earth pin is {{convert|10.3|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} away. In both plug types, the live and neutral pins are {{convert|18|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} long, while the earth pin is {{convert|21|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} long. This makes the 10&nbsp;A version compatible with Argentine and Australasian 10&nbsp;A sockets, as their dimensions are nearly identical.<ref name=gb1002>{{cite web |place=PRC |url=http://www.cnapc.org/System/eWebEditor/uploadfile/20140506164304211.pdf |title=National Standard of the People's Republic of China GB 1002-2008, Single phase plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes – Types, basic parameters and dimensions |publisher=General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ) |year=2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804084314/http://www.cnapc.org/System/eWebEditor/uploadfile/20140506164304211.pdf |archive-date=4 August 2016}}</ref>

Except for the pin length, all dimensions of the 16&nbsp;A version are slightly larger. Its pins are {{convert|1.8|by|8.1|mm|in|3|abbr=on}}; the centres of the power pins are placed {{convert|9.55|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} from the plug centre, while the centre of the earth pin is {{convert|11.1|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} away.<ref name=gb1002/> This makes this plug compatible with the 20&nbsp;A sockets used in Argentina. It is, however, incompatible with Chinese 10&nbsp;A sockets as well as all Australasian sockets because of the different pin spacing.

Many three-pin sockets in China include a physical lockout preventing access to the active and neutral terminals unless an earth pin (which is slightly longer than the other two pins) is entered first. Hence such sockets will not accept the 10&nbsp;A-rated unearthed Class II plugs sold in Argentina and Australasia. The Chinese 16&nbsp;A plug exists, however, also in an unearthed Class II variant that includes an unwired dummy earth pin used only to open shutter. No such variant exists of the 10&nbsp;A plug.<ref name=gb1002/>

China also uses American/Japanese NEMA&nbsp;1-15 sockets and plugs for Class II appliances (however, polarized plugs with one prong wider than the other are not accepted). Older versions of GB&nbsp;1002 also defined a socket type that accepts Europlugs (type&nbsp;C), but this hybrid socket was removed from the 2021 revision of the standard.<ref name=GBT-1002-2021/> The voltage at a Chinese socket of any type is 220&nbsp;V.

In China, sockets typically have the earth contact above the power pins, while in Argentina and Australasia it is usually positioned below them. While Australasian plugs have insulating sleeves around the upper part of their power pins, that is not the case for most existing Chinese plugs, hence their pins may become live while there is still a large enough gap between the faces of the plug and socket to allow a finger to touch the pin. Since 2022, insulating sleeves are also allowed on plugs sold in China;<ref>{{cite web |title=注意啦！新版家用插头插座标准将于2022年11月1日起正式实施-行业资讯 |url=https://www.zrlklab.com/show-38-1363.html |website=zrlklab.com |access-date=7 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523043712/https://www.zrlklab.com/show-38-1363.html |archive-date=23 May 2022 |language=zh}}</ref> they will be mandatory from 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=GB 1002-2024单相插头的带电插销是否强制要求施加绝缘护套？ |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/JG5P75LG0552L9R6.html |website=163.com |access-date=7 March 2025 |language=zh |date=4 November 2024}}</ref>
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