Korean KSC8305 – Korea

We can have all kinds of powercables manufactured on request, for the Korean peninsula or for the rest of the world. Customer stock can be produced and stored by Morvan to guarantee price and delivery for the length of the order, which we recommend for Korean leads.

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The Korean peninsula historically used 100V when under Japanese control, from 1910 to 1945. After this, the United Nations divided the region into two countries, split along the 38th parallel, the north under Soviet administration, and the south under United States. In response to burgeoning nationalism and a desire to reduce currents, the south planned a switch to 220V in the 1960s. This was implemented in 1973, made possible by low consumer use of electricity outside lighting. From then on, the mains voltages, frequencies, and plug types between the two countries have diverged.

South Korea

South Korea uses the KCS8305 which is equivalent to the European CEE7 standard plugs and sockets, but with Korean KTL or KC approvals. The earthed and unearthed 16A types have 4.8mm pins spaced 19mm apart and are the same as the Schuko and CEE7/7 type plugs used in Europe.

The Korea 2 pin plug is variant of the 2.5A Europlug with straight slightly thicker 4.8mm untapered pins and can be sometimes up-rated to 3A. For this we use the Longwell LP-57, available on manufacture to order. Both Korean and European types are rated up to 250 Volts. The domestic voltage is 220V at 60 Hertz (rather than the more common 50 Hz), and three phase at 380V. There is a requirement for sockets to have child-proof shutters.

North Korea

The People’s Democratic Republic of Korea – DPRK or North Korea – uses the two-pin European-style plugs as South Korean at 220V 50Hz, along with two-pin US-style plugs at 110V 60Hz. In both cases three phase power is at 380V.

North of the 38th parallel, despite coal and hydroelectric power stations, the electricity transmission grid is poor, resulting in rationing and blackouts, especially in regions farther away from Pyongyang.

We have less information on North Korea, and exporting there may require additional licences.

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Korean KSC8305 – South Korea Standard

The standard for Korean-approved mains leads is issued by the KETI agency (Korea Electronics Technology Institute) or Korean Agency for Technology and Standards as KS C 8305.

It applies to plugs and socket outlets for household and similar purposes, in accordance with KS IEC 60884-1. It describes the requied dimensions, materials, pin configurations, ratings, etc, including even those for screws to be used.

The standard includes NEMA types (now deprecated) in addition to the European type nowadays used in South Korea. Sockets and plugs should be easily used by hand, and be non-slip. The earth connection should be marked ‘⏚’, ‘G’ or ‘E’, the neutral ‘N’ or ‘W’. When moulded, cors should meet K60227, K60245, or KS C 3328; in any event they must comprise both insulation and outer jacket.

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As an added value service we offer Korean power cables in order that our customers have can easily export to a wider range of countries, with the correct approvals marks and certification.

Korean powercord approval can be by one of the Korean test houses, with KC (Korea Certification) or KTL (Korea Testing Laboratory) markings.

With world-level technical knowledge, we can help resolve all queries and questions for both electrical and safety requirements for all international plugs, sockets and cables.

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