Type E vs. Type L
Comparing 2 standards across 5 specifications. 4 key differences identified.
Type E is the French/Belgian standard -- unusually, its round grounding pin is fixed in the socket, not the plug. It's used across France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, and Czechia, and a hybrid CEE 7/7 plug design bridges it with the incompatible German Type F.
Type L, Italy's standard, uses three round pins in a straight line rather than a triangle, in two incompatible sizes (10A and 16A). Chile and Uruguay use the same physical design, though no independently confirmed national standard document defines it in either country.
Specification Comparison Table
5 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Pin Count
|
2 round power pins; earth pin projects from the socket, not the plug | 3 round pins in a straight line (unpolarized/reversible) |
|
Rated Current
|
16 A | 10 or 16 (two incompatible sizes) A |
|
Rated Voltage
|
250 V | 250 V |
|
Grounded
|
Yes (mandatory) | Yes, both sizes |
|
Common Regions
|
France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia | Italy, Chile, Uruguay |