Traveling to Albania requires you to be knowledgeable of the different electrical outlet types and plugs as well as the available voltage and electrical frequency in the country. The voltage available in Albania is from 220-240 Volts at 50 Hertz. Devices that are not compatible with 220-240 Volts at 50 Hertz should use a voltage converter. Owners of electrical devices and appliances that use 110-120 Volts at 60 Hertz, should use a step-down transformer. It will convert the voltage of their device to 220-240 Volts.

Electrical Outlet and Plug Types in Albania

The electrical outlet in Albania generally accepts only one type of plug, the plug that has two round pins. These plugs are commonly known as the CEE 7/16 Euro plug and the CEE 7/4 or CEE 7/5 Shucko plugs.

CEE 7/16 Euro Plug and Electrical Outlet

The first type of plug available in Albania is called the CEE 7/16 euro plug. The CEE 7/16 euro plug is designed for voltages up to 220 V at 2.5 A. It is a flat, two-pole domestic AC power plug. The pins of the euro plug are sized 9mm long and consist of 9mm long conductive tip, 4mm diameter with a rounded end and a 10-mm long flexible insulated shaft that is not more than 3.8mm diameter. This type of plug is most commonly used in Continental Europe, the former Soviet Republics, Middle East, Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, South East Asia and the Pacific Rim. Most CEE 7/16 plugs are not compatible with British sockets, so you will need to use a universal plug adapter.

CEE 7/16 electrical outlet is commonly called the “Shucko” electrical outlet and supplies up to 16 A. It has two symmetrical round receptacles and two grounding clips on the sides of the socket. The Shucko connection is symmetrical by design allowing line and neutral to be reversed. This type of electrical outlet is compatible with CEE 7/4, CEE 7/5 CEE 7/17 and other types of euro plugs.

Shucko Plug and Electrical Outlet

The next type of electrical plug available in Albania is the CEE 7/4 or CEE 7/5 Shucko plug. The term Shucko came from a German word “Schukostecker” which means “protective contact plug.” It has two round pins with a 4.8-mm diameter, 19 mm. long and 19 mm. apart. This electrical plug is used in circuits with 230 V, 50 Hz and currents up to 16 A. This type of electrical plug is the same as CEE 7/16. The only difference is that the Shucko electrical plug has two flat contact areas located on the top and bottom side of the plug for protective earth grounding. These two flat contact areas are called the “earth clips.” This type of plug and electrical outlet are used in different countries like Albania, France, Belgium, parts of Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey.

Since there is only one type of electrical outlet available in Albania, it is highly recommended to bring and use a universal adapter. It is very important especially to those who wish to use electrical devices or appliances that are not compatible with the electrical outlet in Albania.

About joanna

View all post by joanna