Swiss mains electricity

[LaSarthe+Back]

Boring one for you guys here...

Do two pin Europlugs fit in to the Swiss mains plugs? I know they don't have the correct shape for europlug, but the pin spacing may be right. I need to run more than a few mains appliances on a visit there at the end of the month.

So... anybody have experience??

Thanks!

[captainzep]

The woman working opposite me lived in Switzerland for some years so I asked her.

She told me to fk off without looking up from her work.

[AlexB]

I think that the pin spacing is the same as in Euroland, but often the Swiss sockets are sunk back into the surface so either a narrow plug or an adapter with the correct shape protrusion is required.

Alex

[randomman]

to wikipedia!

Two Pin Euro
This two-pin plug is probably the single most widely used international plug, popularly known as the Europlug. The plug is unearthed and has two round, 4 mm pins, which usually converge slightly. It can be inserted into any socket that accepts 4 mm round contacts spaced 19 mm apart. It is described in CEE 7/16.[9] and is also defined in Italian standard CEI 23-5 and Russian standard GOST 7396

The Europlug is used in Class II applications throughout continental Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey). It is also used in Middle East, most of Africa, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan as well as the former Soviet republics, and many developing nations. It is also used alongside the BS 1363 in many nations, particularly former British colonies.

This plug is intended for use with devices that require 2.5 A or less. Because it can be inserted in either direction into the socket, live and neutral are connected at random.

The separation and length of the pins allow its safe insertion in most CEE 7/17, French type E, Type H (Israeli 3-pin), CEE 7/4 (Schuko), CEE 7/7 and Type L (Italian 3-pin) outlets.

Swiss plugs
SEV 1011 (Swiss 10 A/250 V)
Switzerland has its own standard which is described in SEV 1011. (ASE1011/1959 SW10A-R) This plug is similar to the type C europlug (CEE 7/16), except that it has an earth pin off to one side. Swiss sockets can take Swiss plugs or Europlugs (CEE 7/16). This connector system is rated for up to 10 amperes. There is also a less common variant with 3 square pins rated for 16 A. Above 16 A, equipment must either be wired permanently to the electrical supply system with appropriate branch circuit protection, or connected to the mains with an appropriate high power industrial connector.

Switzerland also has a two-pin plug, with the same pin shape, size and spacing as the SEV 1011's live and neutral pins, but with a more flattened hexagonal form. It fits into both Swiss sockets (round and hexagonal) and CEE 7/16 sockets, and is rated for up to 10 A.

[LaSarthe+Back]

I had looked on wikipedia, but without a definite answer, wanted to seek advice from one who had actually inserted said plug into such a socket.

Thanks Alex, that's a very helpful answer. Will have a look if such an adapter exists.

captainzep said:

The woman working opposite me lived in Switzerland for some years so I asked her.

She told me to fk off without looking up from her work.

I'm not sure what to make of that!?!

[RobFerrari]

Switzerland use a 3 round pin system. BUT. If you have a Euro adapter, the 2 pin one, it WILL work. Just push it in to 2 pin slots, most hotel rooms have an array of pin holes but basically it is just 3 sockets in 1 box.

So you CAN use a 2 pin Euro adapter there, i did so just last week for my laptop charger.

Swiss Socket: http://img.club.pchome.net/upload/club/2003/11/3/d...

An adapter like this should work: http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/317A7HZ2GSL....


Its not a guarantee, but my 2 pin worked fine last week as i say. Have a nice trip

[captainzep]

LaSarthe+Back said:

I had looked on wikipedia, but without a definite answer, wanted to seek advice from one who had actually inserted said plug into such a socket.

Thanks Alex, that's a very helpful answer. Will have a look if such an adapter exists.

captainzep said:

The woman working opposite me lived in Switzerland for some years so I asked her.

She told me to fk off without looking up from her work.

I'm not sure what to make of that!?!

Well be confused no more LaSarthe+Back!

Just know that some female co-workers lose the desire to be helpful and civil when you've just eaten their last custard cream.

Apologies for not adding to plug debate significantly.

Just wanted to share.

[DrTre]

Interesting fact, plugs in Switzerland only have one pin: Neutral. Always neutral.

Edited by DrTre on Monday 4th August 16:27

[AlexB]

I have an adapter like this (but made by Fuji):



The setting shown in the top right is the one you will need for some Swiss sockets.
Alex

[2something]

AlexB said:

I have an adapter like this (but made by Fuji):



The setting shown in the top right is the one you will need for some Swiss sockets.
Alex

You have to be a bit careful as AlexB pointed out, Switzerland has two types of socket.

One will be fine with euro 2 pin as it has a 'flat' front, the other will not as it's recessed and will only fit the adaptor pointed out by AlexB.

Edited by 2something on Monday 4th August 17:26

[Sheepy]

Where abouts in the uk are you? I've got a euro<->swiss adaptor you can borrow if you're anywhere near Leighton Buzzard or Kings Langley (where I live and work)

[thinfourth2]

As a seasoned traveler to foreign climes I always take a cheapo 4 gang extension lead. Then source a local plug and chop off the UK 3 pin plug and fit the local plug.