Socket Type C: need a travel adaptor or not?

Heading off to the Continent or further afield? You’ll need to get to grips with the Type C socket—affectionately known as the Euro plug. This is your standard socket across many parts of Europe, including the likes of the Netherlands and France.

It’s not just Europe, though; this socket pops up in various places around the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Central Asia. It really is the socket of choice in loads of different spots.

Features of the Type C Socket

The Type C socket isn’t grounded, but don’t let that put you off—it’s designed to be quite the versatile chap. It can slot into other sockets such as Type E and F, which makes it a solid pick for gadgets that are less likely to throw a wobbly and short-circuit.

Mind you, a lot of places in Europe have moved on to grounded sockets to crank up the safety factor. So, if you’re packing your bags for a trip abroad, it might be a good shout to chuck a Type C adaptor in with your kit, just to be on the safe side.

Number of pins	2
Grounded	No
Voltage	220 – 240 volts
Ampere	2.5, 10 or 16 amps
Other types of plugs that fit	E and F
Other sockets compatible with Type C	E, F, J, K, and N
Do you need a travel adaptor for your UK devices?	Yes

Click here if you need a travel adaptor for Type C

Travel adaptor for type C

Dimensions

The Euro plug is neatly designed with two round pins, each about 4 to 4.8 millimetres in diameter, spaced 19 millimetres apart. These measurements are standard, ensuring the plug slots smoothly into any socket that matches up.

Using the Type C Plug

The Type C plug isn’t just for show—it’s a real handy piece of kit, compatible with several socket types including E, F, J, K, and N. These often take over from the traditional Type C socket. You’ll encounter Type C sockets and plugs in a host of countries, including France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

Not sure if your destination requires a travel adaptor? Have a quick gander at our search function up top.

The Necessity of a Travel Adaptor

It’s a sound idea to pack a suitable travel adaptor that’s compatible with Type C sockets. Going without one can land you in a bit of bother, such as not being able to charge your devices, knackering your charger, or, in the worst case, risking short circuits, electric shocks, or even fire hazards. Clearly, these are all situations you’d rather sidestep!