What is Type F Plug and Socket (Outlet)?

The Type F plug and outlet is much like the Type E, except it has two earth clips on the side rather than a female earth contact. It is commonly known as a “Schuko” plug, from the invented German word “Schukostecker,” which means “protective contact plug.

What is a European Type F plug?

Type F plug is known as CEE 7/4 and is commonly called “Schuko plug,” which is the acronym of “Schutzkontakt,” a German word meaning “protection contact” or “safety contact.” The European type f plug was designed in Germany shortly after World War. It goes back to a patent (DE 370538) granted in 1926 to Albert Büttner, a Bavarian manufacturer of electrical accessories.

Schuko Type F plug features

Schuko Type F plug is similar to C except that it is round and has top and bottom indentations with conductive clips in them to earth the appliance. The plug is not perfectly round but has a pair of plastic notches on the left and right sides to provide extra stability when using large and heavy plugs (e.g., built-in transformers).

The IEC Type F plug has two 4.8 mm round pins, measuring 19 mm in length on centers spaced 19 mm apart. The distance between either of the two earthing clips and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the centers of the two power pins is 16 mm. Because the CEE 7/4 plug can be inserted in either direction into the receptacle, the Schuko connection system is unpolarised (i.e., line and neutral are connected at random).

It is used in applications up to 16 amps. Above that, equipment must be wired permanently to the mains or connected via another higher power connector such as the IEC 60309 system.

Information on The Type F Electrical Outlet

The “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts has a symmetrical connection system, allowing the live and neutral to be reversed. Type F receptacles will also accept Type C and Type E plugs.

Difference between Type C plug and Type F plug

Euro Type F plug is similar to Euro type C plug except that it is round and has the addition of top and bottom indentations with conductive clips in them to earth the appliance.

Will the Type F plug work in Type C?

Type F plugs are fully compatible with type E sockets. This was not the case in the past, but fortunately, common sense prevailed. A hybrid E/F plug (officially called CEE 7/7) was developed to bridge the differences between electrical E and F sockets. This power plug, which is the earthed universal Continental European standard, has earthing clips on both sides to mate with the type F socket and a female contact to accept the earth pin of the type E socket.

The original type F plug, which does not have this female contact, is now obsolete, but a rewireable version may still be available at some DIY shops. A type C plug fits perfectly into a type F socket, and the socket is recessed by 15 mm, so partially inserted plugs do not present a shock hazard.

Where is the Type E plug used?

FOR INSTANCE, type F plug is used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Eastern Europe.

Used in countries:

Type F plug used in countries

Type F plug certificate

Organization: VDE

Germany Schuko CEE7/4 2 Prong- 16 Amp

Germany and Spain use the Schuko CEE7/4 standard 2 prong 16 amp with side grounding clips. Cords are manufactured in compliance with European CEE7/4 standards. VDE agency approvals and certifications are available on the product specification page. IEC Type F

We have made a very detailed graphic introduction in the article safety marks for more information about the safety certification of power cord plugs.

Now It’s Your Turn

So that’s how I understand Type F plug and socket.

Now I want to turn it over to you: Through my article, do you understand Type F Plugs and Sockets (Outlets)?

Do you have a different point of view with the power plug type F? Or any other questions?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment below right now.

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