Power adapter for Europe - Type C or Type E/F?
Traveling to Croatia & Germany from the USA next week. Need some adapters. Early research says they use both Type C and E/F in Europe. So, which adapter is the most universal?
I believe Type C adapter will work with Type E/F outlets (as well as Type C outlets). Can anyone confirm this or is it the other way around?
Best Answer
Although Germany uses Type F, in a few days visiting it I found a few outlets of C type. In Croatia almost every outlet is F type.
Using a type C adapter would work on any case, as it has the same separation (19mm between the center of each pin) but thinner pins (4m vs 4.8mm). The only con is that it would fit a bit looser and will be easier to unplug it accidentally.
Most of the "universal travel adapters" choose to go with the C type to cover the 3 kind of outlets.
Pictures about "Power adapter for Europe - Type C or Type E/F?"
Is plug type C and F the same?
Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side.Is EU plug type C?
Type C (electrical socket/electrical plug)The Type C plug (also called the Europlug) has two round pins. The pins are 4 to 4.8 mm wide with centers that are spaced 19 mm apart; the plug fits any socket that conforms to these dimensions.What countries use type C and F plugs?
Countries Using Type C Electric Plug Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Azores, Balearic Islands, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Channel Islands, Chile, Comoros, Congo, Croatia, Dem.Are Type E and F plugs the same?
The Type E plug has a rounded shape and the Type E socket has a round recess. Type E plugs are rated 16 amps. The Type F electrical plug (also known as a Schuko plug) has two 4.8 mm round pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is similar to the Type E plug but has two earth clips on the side rather than a female earth contact.TRAVEL ADAPTERS and Power PLUGS explained | World Travel Tips
More answers regarding power adapter for Europe - Type C or Type E/F?
Answer 2
A "Type C" adapter will work fine in Type E and Type F sockets. From AC power plugs and sockets:
The separation and length of the pins allow its safe insertion in CEE 7/1, CEE 7/3 "Schuko", CEE 7/5, and most Israeli, Swiss, Danish and Italian sockets.
Answer 3
I have a wall unit from Germany with the E/F plug which is round and thicker, than a Dutch windmill light that uses a C Plug smaller and thinner round plug. Amazon has a good selection of adapters. Read the specs before you buy, some adapters say C/E/F can be used which I bought. Keep in mind they only change the plug size, they don't convert any voltage. That's a separate product!
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Karolina Grabowska, Anna Tarazevich, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska