Brazilian NBR 14136 – Brazil

Type N Brazilian sockets, both wall mounted and in-line, are recessed to prevent accidental contact with the pins when partially engaged in the type N socket. For this reason there is no need for the pins of 2P and 2P+T plugs to be partially insulated.

The 10 Amp rated type N plugs are designed for use with 0.75mm (6A) and 1.0mm (10A) cables; the larger 20A plug with 1.5mm (16A) and 2.5mm (20A) cables. This is sufficient to cover a wide range of electrical needs.

Morvan Trading has a permanent commitment to providing the best customer service and value for money in the marketplace, with a wide product range, short lead times, unrivalled technical knowledge and full quality assurance. For Brazil is is the Longwell LP-46M for 10A 3 pin (grounded), and LP-18 / LP-18L on 10A 2 pin (ungrounded).

As a specialist, one-stop shop for all international mains power cables even the new-style plugs, leads, and 127V sockets for Brazil can be shipped from stock to anywhere in the world.

Contact our friendly technical team for more information call us on 01264 353489 or click here to contact us

Brazilian voltage

Brazil is rare in that it has two different mains voltages: 127 Volts in some areas and 220 Volts in others. In fact, some towns actually use 110V, 115V, 120V and 125V also, but on a practical level this is indistinguishable from 125V. These are usually called 127V plugs regardless of actual voltage in use locally.

There is no different plug or socket for the different voltages: both 10A and 20A versions are dual-rated at 127/220V. There is a recommendation to use the North American type 1-15P and 5-15P plugs and sockets for 100-127V, but this is largely ignored.

Care must be taken that the equipment can accept 127V and/or 220V; this is sometimes done automatically within the device, or by means of an external switch to toggle between the two.

Domestic sockets have an optional insert to easily differentiate between 127V and 220V, but otherwise there may be no other local indication. As a worst case, equipment intended or use in one state may not work or even be destroyed if used in another.

Brazilian 3 phase mains power

Three-phase mains power voltage also varies, and is usually 127/220V , or 220/380V. The few examples not conforming to 127/220V or 220/380V are usually twice single phase: 110/220V, 115/230V, 120/240V, 125, 216V

Brazilian electrical frequency

AC frequency is standardised at 60 Hz, except for Ouro Preto, in the state of Minas Gerais, at 50 Hz; the usual warnings for electrical motors and clocks apply.

If in any doubt, please check with the end user in-country. Our expert technical team can provide a list of cities and their nominal voltages on request (originally courtesy of the US State Department), and help with any other questions.

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Brazil historically used the USA pattern 5-15 plug, and ABNT passed a resolution (number 01) in 1981 to investigate replacing it. In 1983, they published safety standards for required conformity (Ordinance 111) which applied to all plugs. In 1998 they introduced a new standard, NBR14136, based on a modification of IEC 60906.

In 2000, Inmetro Ordinance 185 made it mandatory for all new plugs and sockets sold in Brazil after 1 January 2006 to conform to the new standard.

The new plugs became fully compulsory in 2010, although some older installations may still only have the older sockets, especially in rural areas. Nevertheless, the NBR14136 is the only plug type that can be sold or exported into Brazil.

Brazilian plug variations: 10A and 20A

There are two options on the plug or socket: a 10 Amp version with 4mm diameter pins, and a larger 20 Amp with 4.8mm pins for higher current use. Both are available as unearthed (2P) and earthed (2P+T) [Terra, earth] versions. The 10A socket accepts 10A plugs and 2.5A Europlugs, but not the 20A plug. The larger 20A socket accepts all plugs.

Differences between Brazilian plugs and IEC 60906

Whilst visually similar, the Brazilian plug is not interchangeable with the Swiss, IEC 60906 or South African plugs, as the earth pins are different sizes and in different locations.

Despite being based on IEC 60906, the design differences make the Brazilian system incompatible. 60906 specifies 4.5mm diameter pins for a 16A current rating, whilst Brazil has modified smaller 4.0mm/10A and larger 4.8mm/20A versions. Brazilian sockets are not required to have safety shutters, unlike IEC 60906.

The Brazilian plug is not compatible with any other country, and can only be used in Brazil.

Contact our friendly technical team for more information call us on 01264 353489 or click here to contact us

All our Brazilian power cables and Inmetro plugs are independently tested and approved, meaning quality and reliability are as standard.

The standard to which Brazilian plugs are manufactured is Norma Brasiliera NBR 14136, issued from the Brazilian association of technical standards, ABNT, or the Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas. It is a private but non-profit organisation which has been responsible for the standardisation of technological progress in Brazil since its inception in 1940. These standards are known localy as Normas Brasileiras, commonly abbreviated to ‘NBR’.

Independent quality testing and approval of our cables is by the Brazilian national institute of metrology, quality, and technology, INMETRO, the Instituto Nacional de Metrologia Qualidade e Tecnologia. Inmetro is the executive arm of the standardisation council, Conmetro, and Sinmetro since 1973. Products accredited by INMETRO must bear their mark (a capital ‘N’ in a square), and the mark of the certifying body (in our case through TÜV Rheinland).

Both categories of Brazilian electrical components we supply, ‘wires and cables’ and ‘switches, plugs and receptacles’ are listed by Inmetro as mandatory products, so must bear the Inmetro mark. Brazilian standards are largely based upon internation IEC standards, so if a product already has a CB report, gaining Brazilian certification is mostly noting national wifferences without the need for costly re-testing for plug Inmetro certification.

Contact our friendly technical team for more information call us on 01264 353489 or click here to contact us