Saint Helena Power Plugs, Wall Sockets & Electrical Outlets
In Saint Helena, power plugs and sockets (electrical outlets) of Type G (BS 1363, three rectangular pins in triangular pattern, grounded) are used. Wall sockets run at 230V and 50Hz. Check if you need a travel adapter, electrical adapter or voltage converter before travelling to Saint Helena.
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What Plug Type Does Saint Helena Use?
A Saint Helena power plug follows the British standard, using Type G (BS 1363) connectors throughout the island. This is the same 3-pin plug found across the United Kingdom and many former British territories, featuring three rectangular pins arranged in a triangular pattern. The electrical supply on the island runs at 230V and 50Hz, matching the standard used in the UK and much of the wider world outside North America.
Visitors arriving from countries with different plug standards, such as the two-pin systems common in continental Europe or the flat-pin plugs used in North America, will need a travel adaptor to connect their devices to a Saint Helena socket-outlet. Without one, appliances with incompatible pin shapes simply cannot be inserted into the local sockets.
Understanding Saint Helena's Power Plugs and Sockets
The Type G plug used in Saint Helena is a British-designed connector known for its distinctive shape and strong emphasis on safety. It uses live and neutral pins measuring 6.35 by 3.18mm, along with a larger earth pin measuring 3.18 by 7.92mm, all arranged in a triangular configuration that only fits one way into a matching socket-outlet.
Grounding and the Earth Pin
Type G sockets in Saint Helena are grounded, with the longer earth pin positioned at the top of the plug. This earth pin does more than provide a safety ground connection; it also acts as a key that pushes open the protective shutters on the socket, allowing the live and neutral pins to make contact. The design ensures the earth connection engages first and disengages last whenever a plug is inserted or removed.
Plug Fuse and Safety Features
Every Type G plug used on the island contains an internal cartridge fuse, rated at either 3A or 13A depending on the appliance it powers, providing individual overcurrent protection for each device. Combined with insulated pins and shuttered sockets that block accidental contact, this makes Type G one of the safest plug systems in everyday use. The main drawback is size: the bulky rectangular shape of a Type G plug can crowd out neighboring outlets on a power strip.
- Plug type: Type G (BS 1363), a 3-pin plug
- Voltage: 230V
- Frequency: 50Hz
- Grounding: Yes, via the earth pin
- Fuse: Internal cartridge fuse, 3A or 13A
Frequently Asked Questions
If your devices use a plug shape other than Type G, you will need a travel adaptor to fit Saint Helena's sockets. Travelers from the UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, or UAE typically already use Type G plugs and won't need an adaptor.
Saint Helena operates on a 230V electrical supply at 50Hz, in line with the UK and most of the world outside North America. Visitors bringing devices designed for 110-120V systems should check whether their appliances are dual-voltage before plugging in.
Yes, Saint Helena's sockets are grounded, using the Type G (BS 1363) system with a dedicated earth pin. This earth pin is longer than the live and neutral pins, ensuring it connects first and disconnects last for added safety.
Pack a Type G travel adaptor if your appliances use a different plug shape, since Saint Helena exclusively uses this British 3-pin standard. It's also worth checking that any high-power devices match the internal fuse rating of the plug, typically 3A or 13A, for safe operation.
