In visiting a foreign country like Egypt, it is a requirement for a tourist to know the standard voltage, electrical outlet, plug, and adapters used in that country. This will not only maximize their time spent in Egypt but will also enable them to use their electronic gadgets and appliances more safely and efficiently. In Egypt, the standard voltage used is 220-240 V while the primary electrical outlet types are the Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko, Type E CEE 7/4 Schuko, and Type C European CEE 7/16 Europlug.

There are also different kinds of adapters that could be used when the plug of the electronic gadget or appliance is not compatible with the electrical outlet in Egypt. In other cases, it is the voltage that does not match since most American and Canadian-made appliances and electronic gadgets use 110-120 V. If this happens, there are voltage converters like transformers, network-resistors converters, and combination voltage converters that could be used by a tourist in Egypt. It is important to use compatible electrical outlet and plugs in Egypt because if not, this might cause electrical problems that could range from causing damage to the electronic gadget or appliance to causing fire in the area.

Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko Electrical Outlet, Plug, and Adapter

Type F plug and electrical outlet

Commonly known as the Schuko plug, the Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko plug and electrical outlet was derived from the German word “Schukostecker” which means “protective contact plug.” This electrical outlet in Egypt is also similar to the Type E with the difference being its two earth clips on the side instead of the female earth contact. The Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko is used for the “Type F” CEE 7/4 Schuko style electrical socket of Germany or to a “Type E” CEE 7/5 socket of France. The receptacle end of Type F CEE 7/7 Schuko is compatible with most sockets except the “Type M” South African SABS1661 (Old British BS-546) plug and the non-grounded CEE 7/16 Europlug Socket because of its 4.0mm pin receptacles that are too small for the 4.8mm pins of the Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko.

Type F adapter

This Schuko plug and receptacle in Egypt also has side grounding contacts which allow symmetrical connection system for live and neutral to be reversed. Most European countries including Egypt use the Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko except Denmark, Italy, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus that have their own standard electrical outlet. On the other hand, the plug end of Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko is compatible with the variations of the Schuko electrical outlet for France and Germany. The pins of this adapter in Egypt are 4.8mm in diameter, 19mm long, and spaced 19mm apart. They have both side-grounding clips and a receptacle for the male grounding pin which is found in French Schuko sockets. If the appliance or electronic gadget to be used in Egypt is already a Schuko, there is no need to use the Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko adapter for the electrical outlet.

Type E CEE 7/4 Schuko French 2-Pin Electrical Adapter Plug and Electrical Outlet

Type E plug and outlet

The Type E CEE 7/4 Schuko electrical outlet and plug is the standard in France, Denmark, Poland, Belgium, and other European countries including Egypt. However, the Type E CEE 7/4 Schuko is not compatible with the Type F of Germany, the Netherlands, and other continental countries of Europe because of the round male pin in the socket.

Type E adapter

The specifications of this Type E CEE 7/4 Schuko plugs used in Egypt are two round pins spaced 19mm apart with a hole for the male grounding pin of the electrical socket. The Type E CEE 7/4 Schuko electrical outlet could also be used with Type C plugs while the Type E CEE 7/4 Schuko plugs will work along with Type F outlets in Egypt. For the electrical outlet and plug of the Type E CEE 7/4 Schuko, the male pin is installed upwards in the electrical outlet, with the live connection in the left and neutral connection in the right.

Type C CEE 7/16 Europlug Electrical Outlet and Adapter

Type C plug and electrical outlet

The Type C Europlug is also known as the CEE 7/16 (Europlug 2.5 A/250 V unearthed), which is a bit similar, only slightly smaller, to the CEE 7/17 and it is one of the most commonly used electrical outlet and plug in  Egypt.  Also, the receptacle end of the adapter is usually compatible with any standard electronic household plug in Egypt and from any country, aside from the “Type M” South African SABS1661 (Old British BS-546 Large) plug. Moreover, the pins of the Type C Europlug are 4.0mm in diameter, 19mm long and are spaced  19mm apart. In using appliances and gadgets in Egypt, the Type C Europlug could also be safely used with the Type C, Type E, Type F, and some Type L electrical outlets.

Type C adapter

The plug end of the Type C Europlug is compatible as well with the other types of sockets used in Europe, like that of the grounded “Type F” German and “Type E” French Schuko socket, “Type L” Italian socket, “Type H” Israeli socket, “Type J” Swiss socket, and “Type K” Danish socket, although connections to some of these sockets are non-grounded. This plug is also non-polarized and non-grounded. Aside from Egypt, there are also countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Pacific Rim region, Central and South America, and Caribbean that use this kind of adapter. In addition, the Europlug is also the most widely used electrical outlet all over continental Europe and in the former Soviet Republics. The Type C Europlug alters the shape of the appliance’s plug so that it could be used into a “Type C” European CEE 7/16 Class II non-grounded Europlug socket or a Soviet-era Russian GOST 7396 Class II non-grounded socket used in Egypt.

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