Type M (BS 546, 15 A) Power Plug
Also known as the Indian large / South African.
About Type M (BS 546, 15 A)
Type M is the 15 A version of the British BS 546 standard — geometrically identical to Type D but with larger 7.06 mm pins on wider spacing. The two plugs are not cross-compatible; a Type D plug fits loosely in a Type M socket and a Type M plug will not fit a Type D socket at all.
Type M is the dominant standard in South Africa (alongside the newer Type N introduced in 2013), Lesotho, Swaziland, and Namibia. In India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal it is used for high-current appliances (air conditioners, water heaters) alongside the smaller Type D for everyday devices.
Travelers should expect to need a separate Type M adapter even if they already have a Type D — the pin diameter difference is enough that one won't make adequate contact in the other.
Adapters for Type M (BS 546, 15 A)
South Africa 3-pin large round adapter
Countries Using Type M (BS 546, 15 A)
14 countries use Type M (BS 546, 15 A). Click any country for its full connectivity, voltage, and adapter guide.