European Plug Sockets

There are many different types of plug sockets that are used in Europe. If you are travelling to a country in Europe it is a good idea to know what voltage systems and what type of plug sockets they use so that you can safely use your electronic items when you get there. This article takes a look at several of the plug sockets that are used in different European countries.

European Voltage System

Europe uses a 220 - 240 volt system that has a 50 hertz frequency. This same system is used by most of Africa, Australia, Russia and some parts of South America. This voltage and hertz differs from the system that is used in the United States. Therefore, if you are travelling to the United States from Europe you will need to purchase the right adapters, chargers or transformers.

There are many different types of power sockets that are used throughout Europe. The United Kingdom uses the type G power plug. This power plug features three vertical pins, one of which is used for grounding. If you are traveling from the UK to another European country then you can use an adaptor to connect the electronic device without any problems.

France and Poland use a type E power plug which features 2 round pins. Germany uses a type F plug which is also circular and has two round pins, it just has a different grounding system than that used in France and Poland. Italy uses a type L plug, which is oblong in shape with two triangular pointed sides This plug has two round pins and one round grounding pin. Switzerland uses a type J plug, which is similar in shape and style to the type L plug.

Adapters

If you are travelling from a European country to another European country, then most of the time all you will need to purchase is an adapter. This is because the voltage and the hertz of the standard electricity supply generally remain the same throughout all of the European countries. There are special adapters which are able to adapt to several different European plug sockets at the flick of a switch. These types of adapters are beneficial if you travel a lot.

If you are travelling to or from America then you will need to purchase a transformer or a converter. These devices will allow you to safely use electrical items in areas where the electricity is supplied at a different voltage than that of your own country. Always check the voltage before plugging in any electrical items, failure to do so could result in damage to your electrical items, or it could even cause a fire.

How to Tell What Voltage Your Electrical Item Is

By law almost all electrical items require that the voltage and the hertz that they are designed to work with is clearly stated somewhere on the electrical item. You can find this by looking on the bottom of the electrical item that you are using, and it is normally stated underneath the brand name and model of the electrical item.

Not sure what plug a given country in Europe uses? You can find just about any European plug adapter by contacting Signal & Power Delivery Systems. SPDS provides a country plug guide which can help you to get relevant and useful information on various types of power cords and plug adapters.