Tourists who want to spend some time in Romania will experience less hassles and problems if they are aware of the electrical outlet and plug type used in this country. Similar to most countries in Europe, the primary electrical outlet and plug in Romania are the Europlug and Schuko, specifically the Type C European 7/16 Europlug, Type E European CEE 7/4, and the Type F CEE 7/5 Schuko.

For the voltage used, it is 220-240 volts. If the plug of the electronic gadget or the appliance do not match the electrical outlet present in Romania, an adapter will come in handy. These adapters must be suitable for the Type C, E, and E as these are the types of electrical outlet used in Romania. Also, the adapter only change the shape of the plug of the appliance or electronic gadget in order to insert it into the electrical outlet. In cases wherein the voltage does not match, a voltage converter could be used in Romania like network-resistor converter, transformer, and the combination of these two.

Type C CEE 7/16 Europlug Electrical Outlet and Adapter

Type C Europlug 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  the Romania. 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 Romania. Also, the receptacle end of the adapter is usually compatible with any standard electronic household plug in Romania and from any country, aside from the “Type M” South African SABS1661 (Old British BS-546 Large) plug.

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. 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 Romania, the Type C Europlug could also be safely used with the Type C, Type E, Type F, and some Type L electrical outlets. This plug in the Romania is also non-polarized and non-grounded.

Aside from Romania, 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.

Type E French 2-Pin Electrical Adapter Plug and Electrical Outlet

Type E French 2-pin plug and electrical outlet

The Type E electrical outlet and plug is the standard in France, Denmark, Poland, Belgium, and other European countries including Romania. However, the Type E 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. For the electrical outlet and plug of the Type E, the male pin is installed upwards in the electrical outlet, with the live connection in the left and neutral connection in the right.

The specifications of this Type E plugs used in Romania are two round pins spaced 19mm apart with a hole for the male grounding pin of the electrical socket. The Type E electrical outlet could also be used with Type C plugs while the Type E plugs will work along with Type F outlets in Romania.

Type F Schuko Electrical Outlet, Plug, and Adapter

Type F plug and electrical outlet

Commonly known as the Schuko plug, the Type F Schuko plug and electrical outlet was derived from the German word “Schukostecker” which means “protective contact plug.” This electrical outlet in Romania 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 7/7 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 7/7 Schuko.

On the other hand, the plug end of Type F CEE 7/7 Schuko is compatible with the variations of the Schuko electrical outlet for France and Germany. The pins of this adapter in Romania 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 Romania is already a Schuko, there is no need to use the Type F CEE 7/7 Schuko adapter for the electrical outlet. This Schuko plug and receptacle in Romania also has side grounding contacts which allow symmetrical connection system for live and neutral to be reversed. Most European countries including Romania use the Type F CEE 7/7 Schuko except Denmark, Italy, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus that have their own standard electrical outlet.