Plugs and Sockets in Europe-VOSORON Power Solution Power cable manufacturer

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Plugs and Sockets in Europe

Time：2024-08-08 Posted：VOSORON Power Solution

In Europe you can find six different types of domestic sockets, see map below. One standard on the British Isles, Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar, and five continental European standards. These five differ from each other with regard to the earthing system. Non-earthed Europlugs can be used in any continental European country. The British BS 1363 standard is fully different from any other type.
A table gives details about the compatibility of 22 types of earthed and non-earthed household plugs, and the six European types of sockets. Note the difference between 220-240V, 50 Hz mains in Europe and 110-125V, 60Hz in North America and Japan.

Standardization in Europe ?
A quick look at the map of Europe shows that the CEE 7/4 (Schuko) standard is most popular. According to population, about 250 million people within the European Union (EU) and another 225 million elsewhere in Europe are using Schuko plugs and sockets. Approximately 49% of people in the EU rely on Schuko, whereas the proportion of other standards is 25% French, 13% British, 12% Italian and 1% Danish. These figures seems to support the conclusion that Schuko is the prime candidate for an EU wide plug and socket standard. However, there are serious technical, sentimental and financial obstacles. The non-polarized nature of the Schuko design is a safety issue. A safe alternative could be the French standard, but European countries are inclined to be loyal to their own system.
To avoid giving preference to any system the International Electrotechnical Commission has proposed in 1986 a new type of safe and handy-sized plugs and matching socket . A noble initiative, but its realization will cost a fortune and will take decades.
Despite the remarks above, Schuko plugs have become the de facto - but not officially recognized - standard across most* of the countries within the European Union, because:
(1) the CEE 7/7 hybrid Schuko/French plugs (see table below) are fully compatible with both Schuko and French type sockets;
(2) Italy has developed a type of socket suitable for both traditional Italian and Schuko plugs ;
(3) Denmark is allowing French standard sockets from July 2008 and Schuko from 2011.
* except: UK (left EU in 2020), Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar (using BS 1363 standard).
Switzerland, not an EU country, has its own standard.
Russian GOST 7396 Group C defines plugs that closely resembles CEE 7/4, /6, /7, /16 and /17. They are also used in Belarus and Ukraine.

Countries and autonomous regions in Europe are indicated by their 2 digit ISO 3166-1 standard code.

AL: Albania; AT: Austria; BA: Bosnia - Herzegovina; BE: Belgium; BG: Bulgaria; BY: Belarus; CH: Switzerland; CY: Cyprus; CZ: Czech Republic; DE: Germany: DK: Denmark; EE: Estonia; ES: Spain; FI: Finland; FO: Faroe Islands; FR: France; GB: United Kingdom; GE: Georgia; GI: Gibraltar; GR: Greece; HR: Croatia; HU: Hungary; IE: Ireland; IS: Iceland; LT: Lithuania; LU: Luxemburg; LV: Latvia; MC: Monaco; MD: Moldova; ME: Montenegro; MK: Macedonia; MT: Malta; NL: Netherlands; NO: Norway; PL: Poland; PT: Portugal; RO: Romania; RS: Serbia: RU: Russia; SE: Sweden; SI: Slovenia; SK: Slovakia; TR: Turkey; UA: Ukraine. 1= Andorra (AD, Schuko); 2= Monaco (MC, type French); 3= Liechtenstein (LI, SWiss); 4= San Marino (SM, Italian); 5= Holy See / Vatican City (VC, Italian); 6 = Kosovo (KV, Schuko).

Earthed sockets:		Schuko 16A	French 16A	British 13A	Swiss 10A	Italian 10A	Danish 10A
	Plugs:
Europlug not earthed (CEE 7/16)		Compatible	Compatible	Not compatible; adapter plug is essential.	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
European not earthed (CEE 7/2)		Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Compatible, if diameter of pins not larger than 4.0 mm	Compatible
French earthed (CEE 7/6)		Not compatible	Compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Compatible, but without earth connection !
hybrid type not earthed (CEE 7/17)		Compatible	Compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible (see footnote)	Compatible
Schuko earthed (CEE 7/4)		Compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible (see footnote)	Compatible, but without earth connection !
hybrid type earthed (CEE 7/7)		Compatible	Compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible (see footnote)	Compatible, but without earth connection !
British earthed (BS 1363)		Not compatible	Not compatible	Compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible
Swiss 10A earthed (SEV 1011)		Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible
Danish not earthed		Compatible (if plug not wider than 33 mm)	Compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible (because of pin diameter)	Compatible
Danish earthed (107-2-D1)		Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Compatible
Italian 10A not earthed		Compatible (if plug not wider than 33 mm)	Compatible (if plug not thicker than 14 mm)	Not compatible	Not compatible	Compatible	Compatible
Italian 10A earthed (CEI 23-50)		Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Compatible	Not compatible
Thai 16A not earthed (TIS 166- 255)		Compatible (if plug not wider than 33 mm)	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible	Not compatible (because of pin diameter)	Compatible
Thai 10A earthed (TIS 166- 255)		Not compatible with any European socket; adapter plug is essential.
US, Japan not earthed (NEMA 1-15P)		Not compatible, adapter plug is essential. Only shavers can be used in bathrooms that are equipped with a multi-standard socket for shavers. Standard mains electricity in Europe is 220-240V, 50Hz. Depending on the appliance a 240 to 125V transformer might be necessary.
US, Japan earthed (NEMA 15-5P)		Not compatible, adapter plug is essential. Standard mains electricity in Europe is 220-240V, 50Hz. Depending on the appliance a 240 to 125V transformer might be necessary.
British shaver plug		BS 4573 shaver plugs are not identical to Europlugs. Special multi-standard sockets for shavers accept British shaver plugs; otherwise an adapter is essential.
Old British earthed (BS 546 5A)		Not compatible, adapter plug is essential.
Old British earthed (BS 546 15A)		Not compatible, adapter plug is essential.
Israeli earthed (SI 32)		Not compatible, adapter plug is essential.
Australian New Zealand earthed (AS/NZS 3112)		Not compatible, adapter plug is essential.
IEC 60906-1 introduced in Brazil and South Africa		Not compatible, adapter plug is essential.

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