Electrical plugs are still an integral part of most lamps on the market. This is because, although more and more devices are controlled with the help of smart systems, such as ClueIn or ClueCity from Lena Lighting, traditional solutions do not lose their relevance. In our article, we will explain in which countries the different plug models are valid.
Differences in electrical outlets
When buying lighting, consumer electronics or household appliances abroad, we will come across devices that have completely different plugs than those we know from our home backyard. This means that once the product is brought into the country, we will not be able to use it unless we invest in the appropriate adapters. Different plugs are the result of differences in the design of electrical outlets in different countries. Currently, all over the world, you can buy equipment available in 14 versions of plugs. They are designated by successive letters of the alphabet (from A to N).
Types of plug-ins
In Poland, we use the so-called E-type plugs. They have two pins and a hole for a grounding pin. This standard is in force in several European countries, including France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Belgium.
The F-type plug, also called Schuko, is used for devices in Class I insulation. Like the E-type plug, it has two pins. The ground connection, on the other hand, is made through two plates located on both the top and bottom of the plug. They are most commonly found in Germany, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, Southern Europe, Turkey, Ukraine, the Baltic States and Russia.
The CEE7/7 plug combines the standards of the E-type plug and the F-type plug. Due to its versatility, most manufacturers equip their products with this plug. We use it in our low-voltage (24V, 48V) portable lamps.
The type J (or CH) plug has two pins and an additional pin for ground located above the other two. This plug is used in Switzerland.
Very similar to it is the K-type plug, except that the grounding pin is in line with the power pins. It is used in Italy.
The Type C plug (also called Europlug) is a plug used in almost all of Europe for devices in Class II insulation. It has two pins, for which there is no method of connecting to a grounding wire.
Type G (UK) plug has 3 rectangular blades arranged in a triangle. It contains a built-in fuse (its value is selected depending on the purpose of the device). Plugs of this type are used in the UK and Ireland.
Finally, there is the type A and type B plug - the former has two flat plates with small holes. These serve to better secure the plug in the socket. The latter, on the other hand, has two plates and an additional pin used to connect to ground.
The 2-PIN plug is not grounded. It is used when constructing luminaires in protection class 2.
DK plug - this is the so-called Danish type of plug used in Denmark.
Other plugins
Others In addition to plugs that are designed for home appliances, there are also several models that fit car sockets. Below is a list of them:
Wago - is a system of internal connections in the lamp.
Wieland - connection system. In our lamps we use it during the construction of working luminaires for serial connection with high IP.
12 V car plug - a special plug that fits into the cigarette lighter socket.
24V car plug - fits into truck sockets.