Latin American electrical codes: Mexico (NOM-001-SEDE), Brazil (NBR 5410), Argentina (AEA 90364), Colombia (RETIE), Chile (NCh 4), Peru (CNE). Voltages, sockets, differences from NEC and IEC.
| Document | NOM-001-SEDE, NBR 5410, AEA 90364, RETIE, NCh 4, CNE |
| Voltage | 110–127 V and 220 V (by country) |
| Frequency | 60 Hz (most), 50 Hz (Argentina etc.) |
| Sockets | NEMA (MX, CO), NBR 14136 (BR), Type I (AR) |
| Earthing | TN-C-S, TT (Brazil — TT/TN-S) |
| Native term | Transliteration | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| puesta a tierra (ES) | puesta a tierra | earthing (Sp.) |
| aterramento (PT) | aterramento | earthing (Port.) |
| interruptor diferencial (ES) | interruptor diferencial | RCD (Sp.) |
| disjuntor (PT) | disjuntor | circuit breaker (Port.) |
| tablero general (ES) | tablero general | main distribution board (Sp.) |
| medidor (ES) | medidor | energy meter (Sp.) |
| tubería conduit (ES) | tubería conduit | conduit (Sp.) |
| cableado (ES) | cableado | wiring (Sp.) |
| polo a tierra (ES) | polo a tierra | earthing pole (Sp.) |
Latin America has no single code: each country has its own rules, but most are based on the US NEC (Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Central America) or on IEC 60364 (Brazil, Argentina, Chile). Voltages vary: 60 Hz in most countries, 50 Hz in Argentina, Paraguay and part of Brazil.
| Country | Code | Voltage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | NOM-001-SEDE (NEC-based) | 127/220 V | 60 Hz |
| Brazil | NBR 5410:2004 (IEC-based) | 127/220 V | 60 Hz |
| Argentina | AEA 90364 (IEC-based) | 220/380 V | 50 Hz |
| Colombia | RETIE + NTC 2050 (NEC-based) | 120/208/240 V | 60 Hz |
| Chile | NCh 4/2003 (SEC) | 220/380 V | 50 Hz |
| Peru | CNE Utilización (NEC-based) | 220 V | 60 Hz |
| Venezuela | COVENIN 200 | 120/240 V | 60 Hz |
Brazil has the most detailed system in the region: mandatory minimum numbers of sockets per room, bathroom zones, IDR 30 mA (RCD equivalent) for bathrooms, outdoor and wet-area sockets, standard sockets NBR 14136 (type N) — 10 A and 20 A. Conductor sizes per IEC: 1.5 / 2.5 / 4 / 6 mm².
Mexico (NOM-001-SEDE), Colombia (RETIE/NTC 2050) and Peru (CNE) structurally follow NEC: same ampacity, earthing and bonding sections, GFCI-style socket protection. Differences: local lightning requirements, tropical corrosion protection and high-altitude regions.
NEMA 1-15/5-15 — Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Central America; type I — Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay; type N (NBR 14136) — Brazil. Earthing contact is mandatory on household sockets in all codes of the region.
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Reference · World electrical installation rules