View source for Engineering:CEE 7 standard AC plugs and sockets

{{Short description|European electric plug standards}}
'''CEE 7 ''' is a standard  for [[Engineering:AC power plugs and sockets|alternating-current plugs and sockets]].  First published in 1951 by the former  ''International Commission on the Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment'' (IECEE), it unified standards produced by several continental European countries. The 2nd edition was published in 1963 and last updated in March 1983.  It remains available from the IEC, but they state that ''"this standard shall not be used alone, it is to be used in addition to IEC 60884-1"''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/8869|title=IECEE CEE-7:1963 Specification for plugs and socket-outlets for domestic and similar purpose|publisher=CEE|accessdate=2015-05-12}}</ref>

==CEE 7 standards==
The ''International Commission on the Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment'' (IECEE) was a standards body which published ''Specification for plugs and socket-outlets for domestic and similar purposes'' as CEE Publication 7, known simply as CEE&nbsp;7. It was originally published in 1951, the 2nd edition was published in May 1963 and was last updated by Modification 4 in March 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webstore.iec.ch/webstore/webstore.nsf/ArtNum_PK/31105|title=IECEE CEE-7 ed2.0 | accessdate=1 March 2015}}</ref> CEE 7 consists of general specifications, plus a number of standard sheets for specific connectors.

A number of standards based on two round pins with centres spaced at 19&nbsp;mm are in use in continental Europe and elsewhere, most of which are listed in IEC/TR 60083 "Plugs and socket-outlets for domestic and similar general use standardized in member countries of IEC".<ref>{{cite web|title=IEC/TR 60083: Technical Report|url=http://webstore.iec.ch/preview/info_iec60083%7Bed6.0%7Db.pdf| accessdate=2 March 2015}}</ref> There is no [[Social:European Union|European Union]] regulation of domestic mains plugs and sockets, and the [[Engineering:Low Voltage Directive|Low Voltage Directive]] specifically excludes domestic plugs and sockets.<ref name="ec.europa.eu">{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/8716/attachments/1/translations/en/renditions/pdf|title=Guidelines on the application of Directive 2006/95/EC|page=7 | accessdate=24 February 2015}}</ref> EU countries each have their own regulations and national standards; for example, some require child-resistant shutters, while others do not. CE marking is neither applicable nor permitted on plugs and sockets.

===CEE 7/1 unearthed socket and CEE 7/2 unearthed plug===
{{gallery
|width=240 |height=200
|align=center
|File:Stopcontact.jpg|CEE 7/1 wall socket, accepts CEE 7/2 (unearthed) plug and also CEE&nbsp;7/4, CEE&nbsp;7/6 and CEE&nbsp;7/7 (earthed) plugs
|File:Oude stekkerdoos.jpg|Power bar with CEE 7/1 sockets and CEE 7/2 plug
|File:Schuko plug inserted in CEE 7 1 ungrounded socket.jpg|CEE 7/4 plug partially inserted in CEE 7/1 non-earthed socket, pins are in contact but exposed.  There is no connection for the earthing contact
}}
CEE&nbsp;7/1 unearthed sockets are designed to accept CEE&nbsp;7/2 round plugs without notches in the body and having {{convert|4.8|by|19|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} pins.

Because they have no earth connections they have been or are being phased out in most countries. The regulations of countries using the CEE&nbsp;7/3 and CEE&nbsp;7/5 socket standards vary in whether CEE&nbsp;7/1 sockets are still permitted in environments where the need for earthing is less critical. Sweden, for example, prohibited them from new installations in 1994. In Germany unearthed sockets are rare, whereas in the Netherlands and Sweden it is still common to find them in "dry areas" such as in bedrooms or living rooms. Some countries prohibit use of unearthed and earthed sockets in the same room, in the "insulated room" concept, so that people cannot touch an earthed object and one that has become live, at the same time.

The depth of the sockets varies between countries and age. Older sockets are so shallow that it is possible to touch the pins of a plug when the plug is inserted only deep enough to get electrical power on the pins, while newer sockets are deep enough to protect from this kind of accident. CEE&nbsp;7/1 sockets accept CEE&nbsp;7/4, CEE&nbsp;7/6 and CEE&nbsp;7/7 plugs without providing an earth connection. The earthed CEE&nbsp;7/3 and CEE&nbsp;7/5 sockets were specifically designed not to allow insertion of CEE&nbsp;7/2 unearthed round plugs fitted to older appliances which had to be earthed via other means.
[[File:Schuko (CEE 7-3) socket-outlets, with and without shutters.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Two Schuko (CEE 7–3) socket-outlets manufactured by Busch-Jaeger Elektro GmbH, the lower has (black) protective shutters, the upper does not, revealing internal metal contacts.]]

==={{anchor|CEE 7/4 plug}}CEE 7/3 socket and CEE 7/4 plug (German "Schuko"; Type F)===
[[File:Schuko plug and socket.png|thumb|left|Schuko plug (CEE 7/4) and socket (CEE 7/3)]]
The CEE&nbsp;7/3 socket and CEE&nbsp;7/4 plug are commonly called ''Schuko''. The socket (which is often, in error, also referred to as CEE&nbsp;7/4) has a predominantly circular recess which is {{convert|17.5|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} deep with two symmetrical round apertures and two earthing clips on the sides of the socket positioned to ensure that the earth is always engaged before live pin contact is made. The plug pins are {{convert|4.8|by|19|mm|in|3|abbr=on}}. The Schuko connection system is symmetrical and unpolarised in its design, allowing line and neutral to be reversed. The socket also accepts Europlugs and CEE&nbsp;7/17 plugs. It is rated at 16&nbsp;A. The current German standards are DIN 49441:1972-06 "Two-pole plugs with earthing-contact 10&nbsp;A 250&nbsp;V≅ and 10&nbsp;A 250&nbsp;V–, 16&nbsp;A 250&nbsp;V~" (which also includes CEE&nbsp;7/7 plug) and DIN 49440-1:2006-01 "Two-pole socket-outlets with earthing contact, 16&nbsp;A 250&nbsp;V a.c."

In addition to Germany, it is used in Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Italy (standard CEI&nbsp;23-50), Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Peru,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://diariocorreo.pe/peru/mem-recomienda-que-tipo-de-tomacorrientes-se-deben-utilizar-648835/|title=MEM recomienda qué tipo de tomacorrientes se deben utilizar|date=2016-01-24|website=Diario Correo|language=es|access-date=2019-01-18}}</ref> Portugal, Romania, Russia,<ref>{{Citation | url = http://elec.ru/library/gosts_e71/gost_7396_1-89.pdf | script-title=ru:ГОСТ 7396.1-89 | format = PDF | publisher = Elec | place = RU | language = Russian}}</ref> Serbia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uruguay.

It was widely used in Ireland until 1964, a legacy of Ireland's early electricity grid which was largely built based on design work on the Shannon hydroelectric scheme by Siemens-Schuckert. The British BS1363 (localised as Irish Standard I.S.401) was adopted as the new standard plug to ease import of electrical appliances from the UK. CEE 7/1 and CEE 7/4 are still occasionally found in less used areas of some older homes, particularly in outbuildings or hot presses.

''Schuko'' is an abbreviation for the German word ''Schutzkontakt'', which means "Protective contact" - in this case "protective" refers to the earth.

Some countries, including South Korea, Portugal, Finland, Denmark,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sik.dk/Global/Presse/Pressemeddelelser/Pressemeddelelser-2011/Det-nye-afsnit-6C-i-staerkstroemsbekendtgoerelsen-traeder-i-kraft-pr.-15.-november-2011.|title=Det nye afsnit 6C i stærkstrømsbekendtgørelsen træder i kraft pr. 15. november 2011 |work=Danish Safety Technology Authority |accessdate=19 September 2015 |language=Danish}}</ref> Norway and Sweden, require child-proof socket shutters; the German DIN 49440-1:2006-01 standard does not have this requirement.
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==={{anchor|CEE 7/5 socket}}{{anchor|CEE 7/6 plug}}CEE 7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plug (French; Type E)===
[[File:French-power-socket.jpg|thumb|left|French socket]]
[[File:French Plug CEE 7 6.jpg|thumb|Rewireable French plug]]
The CEE&nbsp;7/5 socket and CEE&nbsp;7/6 plug are defined in French standard NF C 61-314 "Plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes" (which also includes CEE&nbsp;7/7, 7/16 and 7/17 plugs) The socket has a predominantly circular recess which is {{convert|15|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} deep with two symmetrical round apertures and a round {{convert|4.8|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} earth pin projecting from the socket such that the tip is {{convert|23|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} beyond the live contacts, to ensure that the earth is always engaged before live pin contact is made. The earth pin is centred between the apertures, offset by {{convert|10.2|mm|in|3|abbr=on}}. The plug (which is often, in error, also referred to as CEE&nbsp;7/5) has two round pins measuring {{convert|4.8|by|19|mm|in|3|abbr=on}}, spaced {{convert|19|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} apart and with an aperture for the socket's projecting earth pin. This standard is also used in Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and some other countries.

Although the plug is polarised, CEE&nbsp;7 does not define the placement of the line and neutral and there is no universally-observed standard. However, the Czech and Slovak standards defined that the earth pin should be at the top, if no special reason against, and the line wire had to be on the left side when facing the socket; those requirements are abandoned now. The French convention changed circa 2002 from nothing particular, to, if the earth pin was at the top then the line hole in the socket would be on the right looking at the socket.{{citation needed|reason=This may not be correct. It is very hard to find any official document online that states the correct convention.|date=July 2015}} However, the socket may not necessarily be installed with the earth pin at the top. Packaging in France of sockets is normally marked with correct connection of the cables. Polarised pre-fitted plugs on appliances are therefore connected with the brown line wire to the right pin and the blue neutral wire to the left, the earth being connected to the contact at the "top" of the plug.

CEE&nbsp;7/2 and 7/4 plugs are not compatible with the CEE&nbsp;7/5 socket because of the round earthing pin permanently mounted in the socket.
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=== {{anchor|CEE 7/7 plug}}CEE 7/7 plug (compatible with E and F) ===
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[[File:CEE 7-7.jpg|thumb|CEE 7/7 plug]] To bridge the differences between German and French standards, the CEE&nbsp;7/7 plug was developed. It is polarised to prevent the line and neutral connections from being reversed <!--Translators: take care of this word! In some countries there are other words distinguishing the +/- polarity and the symmetry of a non polarised plug. Example in French: "détrompeur" which means "locating Neutral". In your language, do not use a word that will make people think an AC plug has a +/- polarity. --> when used with a French CEE&nbsp;7/5 socket, but allows polarity reversal when inserted into a German CEE&nbsp;7/3 socket. The plug is rated at 16&nbsp;A.

It has earthing clips on both sides to connect with the CEE&nbsp;7/3 socket and a female contact to accept the earthing pin of the CEE&nbsp;7/5 socket. Currently, appliances in many countries are sold with non-rewireable CEE&nbsp;7/7 plugs attached, enabling use in all countries whose socket standards are based on either CEE&nbsp;7/3 or CEE&nbsp;7/5.

This plug can be inserted into a Danish Type K socket, but earthing is not enabled.

=== {{anchor|CEE 7/16 plug}}CEE 7/16 plugs ===
The CEE 7/16 standard sheet appears in Supplement 2 (June 1962) to the 1951 edition of CEE 7. The CEE&nbsp;7/16 unearthed plug is used for low power [[Appliance classes|Class II applications]], it has two round 4 by 19&nbsp;mm (0.157 by 0.748&nbsp;in) pins, rated at 2.5 A. There are two variants.

====CEE&nbsp;7/16 Alternative I====
Alternative I is a round plug with cutouts to make it compatible with CEE&nbsp;7/3 and CEE&nbsp;7/5 sockets. (The similar-appearing CEE&nbsp;7/17 has larger pins and a higher current rating.)  This alternative is seldom used.

====CEE&nbsp;7/16 Alternative II "Europlug" (Type C)====
[[File:Euro-Flachstecker 2.jpg|thumb|left|Example of a Europlug]]
Alternative II, popularly known as the Europlug, is a flat plug defined by Cenelec standard EN&nbsp;50075 and national equivalents. The Europlug is not rewirable and must be supplied with a flexible cord. It can be inserted in either direction, so line and neutral are connected arbitrarily.

There is no socket defined by EN&nbsp;50075; nor a socket specified in CEE&nbsp;7 to accept only the Europlug. Instead, the Europlug was designed to be compatible with a range of sockets in common use in Europe. These sockets, including the CEE&nbsp;7/1, CEE&nbsp;7/3 (German/"Schuko"), CEE&nbsp;7/5 (French), and most Israeli, Swiss, Danish and Italian sockets, were designed to accept pins of various diameters, mainly 4.8&nbsp;mm but also 4.0&nbsp;mm and 4.5&nbsp;mm, and are usually fed by final circuits with either 10 A or 16 A overcurrent protection devices.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.legrand.com/files/fck/File/pdf/Guide-International.pdf|title = International electrical standards and regulations|date = |accessdate = 16 November 2015|website = |publisher = Legrand|last = |first = |pages = 14, 22, 30}}</ref> To improve contact with socket parts the Europlug has slightly flexible pins which converge toward their free ends.

UK  shaver sockets designed to accept BS 4573 shaver plugs also accept Europlugs for applications requiring less than 200&nbsp;mA.<ref>Typical example of BS&nbsp;4573 compliant socket that accepts europlug (and Australian) http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/MK/K700.pdf</ref> Other than such personal hygiene applications, UK consumer protection legislation<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1994/uksi_19941768_en_1.htm|title = The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994|date = 1994|accessdate = 16 November 2015|website = The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994|publisher = Opsi.gov.uk|last = |first = }}</ref> does not permit Europlugs.

The Europlug is also used in the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Asia .{{Clear}}

==={{anchor|CEE 7/17 plug}}CEE 7/17 unearthed plug===
[[File:CEE 7-17 plug.jpg|thumb|upright|CEE 7/17 plug]]
This is a round plug which conforms to a shape compatible with CEE&nbsp;7/1, CEE&nbsp;7/3, and CEE&nbsp;7/5 sockets. It has two round pins measuring {{convert|4.8|by|19|mm|in|3|abbr=on}}. It may be rated at either 10&nbsp;A or 16&nbsp;A, and may be used for unearthed Class II appliances (and in South Korea for all domestic non-earthed appliances). It is also defined as the Class II plug in Italian standard CEI&nbsp;23-50. It can be inserted into Israeli SI&nbsp;32 with some difficulty. The Soviet GOST 7396 standard includes both the CEE&nbsp;7/17 and the CEE&nbsp;7/16 variant II plug.

==See also==
* [[Physics:Mains electricity by country|Mains electricity by country]]
* AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types
* [[Engineering:NEMA connector|NEMA connector]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Electrical standards]]

{{Sourceattribution|CEE 7 standard AC plugs and sockets}}