Type E - The French Mains Plug

Two round pins on the plug, male earth pin protruding from the socket. 16 A at 230 V across France, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and parts of Africa.

The Type E plug per NF C 61-314 is the French national mains plug. Mechanically: two round 4.8 mm pins for line and neutral, plus a hole on the plug body that mates with the male earth pin in the socket. The pin geometry is identical to Schuko Type F (also 4.8 mm), but the protective-earth mechanism is different - which is why pure Type E plugs do not fit Schuko sockets and vice versa. The hybrid CEE 7/7 plug solves this by combining both earth methods.

Technical Specifications

Standard	NF C 61-314
Rated current	16 A
Rated voltage	230 V AC
Pins	2 + earth receptacle
Polarisation	Asymmetric (only one orientation)
Class	I
Countries	France, Belgium, Poland, CZ, SK, parts of Africa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Schuko plug fit a French Type E socket?

No - the French socket has a male earth pin where Schuko has none. Use a CEE 7/7 hybrid plug or a travel adapter.

Is Type E polarised?

Yes - the earth pin position only allows one orientation. Line and neutral are not standardised, but in practice almost always wired the same way.

Is Type E common in Africa?

Yes - much of francophone Africa (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Cameroon and others) uses Type E or compatible variants from colonial-era infrastructure.

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