One of the exciting things about the history of electricity is that innovations in the development of electrical equipment often occurred concurrently around the world. As a result, there are some significant differences found among electrical outlets in North America and many countries in Europe. Most of the differences have to do with construction, but some involve the type and strength of the current that the electrical outlets are constructed to manage.

One of the most immediate differences in electrical outlets around the world have to do with the type of current that is used in various countries. Alternating current is the standard for North America, while direct current is the electricity of choice in other places around the world, including most parts of Europe. This necessitates a difference in the way electrical outlets are constructed in Europe and in North America. Understanding the type of current that is supplied by the outlet is very important, as travelers may find that appliances such as hair dryers and small appliances will not work with the electrical outlets.

Along with the different type of current, there is also a difference in the voltage provided by electrical outlets in many parts of Europe and in North America. The standard in North America is 110 to 120 volts at 60Hz, while the European standard is 220-240 volts at 50Hz. This means that even if the type of current is compatible, there may still be a problem if the traveler uses an appliance that is not constructed to use the standard level of voltage.

Beyond the type and level of voltage, there are significant differences in the actual appearance of electrical outlets around the world. The United States and Canada tend to make use of only two versions of electrical outlets. The basic usage outlet accommodates a two-pin construction, with one flat pin slightly larger than the other flat pin. For more heavy duty usage, there is a three prong design that adds a third pin that is rounded in nature. Various countries in Europe make use of an eclectic blend of two and three pin electrical outlets, with the pins arranged in just about every combination imaginable. This situation often means that adapters are necessary in order to use appliances that were manufactured in a different country even when the current level and type are compatible.