![]() ![]() So why doesn’t Belgium allow the installation of type F sockets? There are probably both political and economic reasons. Strictly speaking, this is not in compliance with electrotechnical regulations. Also kitchen units, which are often manufactured elsewhere in the European Union, sometimes have several type F plug sockets built in. You can, however, occasionally encounter type F wall outlets or extension cords in Belgian web shops that have e.g. It is not allowed to install type F sockets in Belgian properties, even though they are equally safe and 100% compatible with type C and type E plugs. Moreover, old type E plugs were perfectly round and lacked a necessary pair of plastic notches on the left and right side to fit the type F socket.įortunately, the now standard hybrid E/F plug (officially called CEE 7/7) was developed in order to bridge the differences between E and F sockets, so technically type E and F plugs (not the sockets) have now become 100% identical. Old type F plugs did not have a grounding hole to accept the earth pin of the type E socket and old type E plugs did not have top and bottom indentations with earthing clips to mate with the type F socket. Type F outlets, on the other hand, are earthed by means of two sprung metal strips on the inside edge of the recessed socket which make a friction connection with similar metal strips on the sides of the plug body. The reason for the incompatibility was that grounding in the type E socket is accomplished with a round male pin, which is permanently mounted in the socket. This used to be a problem because type E plugs and sockets were initially incompatible with type F. Most European countries don’t have the same plug and socket standard as Belgium they use the German type F system instead. without top and bottom earthing clips nor plastic notches on the left and right. Nowadays, however, type C receptacles are not frequently installed anymore, since older properties are almost always completely rewired when they are renovated or significantly altered. No need to say, this would be a potentially dangerous situation. type E) on a two-wire circuit, the socket will not be grounded, but people will get the wrong impression that it is actually grounded. After all, if you hook up a grounded wall outlet (i.e. The only (and rare) exception to this rule is that an old type C outlet should be replaced by a new one. Only type E power points are permitted because they are grounded and therefore significantly safer. Typically, type C plug sockets are not allowed to be installed in Belgium: these outlets are not earthed and are therefore considered dangerous. But why is that? Power plug & outlet Type C However, it is not permitted to install type C nor type F wall outlets. Type C and type F plugs can also be used thanks to their compatibility with type E sockets. ![]() Obsolete type C Bakelite wall socket (1950s)īelgium has standardized on type E sockets and plugs. ![]()
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