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Installing a French electrical socket in a UK house?

Lisa Miles
Hi all


I've recently seen in one of the Facebook groups I'm a member of, someone asking for advice on installing a french electrical outlet in his home in the UK.


I'm guessing that it's because he has some European plugged equipment that he wants to be able to plug in without using some form of adaptor, because he says it "reverses the polarity".


Is this safe? Or even allowed? ?
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    If he's worried about polarity, then don't use a French socket at all. Granted you can't put a plug in 'upside down' as you can with the German version, but the French never never did bother standardizing which contact was L and which N (there was a convention the L was on the right looking into the socket - i.e. similar to UK) but then when they did try to write it into the standard they (allegedly) managed to put the wrong diagram in which in effect stipulated the reverse of the normal convention - so in practice it could be either. Their 2-pin plugs are reversible in any event.  No CE marked appliance intended for use with a European (or UK) plug will care anyway, or be any less safe.


    As for BS 7671's requirements, it certainly tries hard to force people down the BS 1363 (13A) socket route - but there are a few get-out clauses that do allow other types for special purposes. If someone was determined enough they might be able to argue their way to justifying one. Just don't connect one directly to UK 32A circuit...


       - Andy.
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  • 0
    If he's worried about polarity, then don't use a French socket at all. Granted you can't put a plug in 'upside down' as you can with the German version, but the French never never did bother standardizing which contact was L and which N (there was a convention the L was on the right looking into the socket - i.e. similar to UK) but then when they did try to write it into the standard they (allegedly) managed to put the wrong diagram in which in effect stipulated the reverse of the normal convention - so in practice it could be either. Their 2-pin plugs are reversible in any event.  No CE marked appliance intended for use with a European (or UK) plug will care anyway, or be any less safe.


    As for BS 7671's requirements, it certainly tries hard to force people down the BS 1363 (13A) socket route - but there are a few get-out clauses that do allow other types for special purposes. If someone was determined enough they might be able to argue their way to justifying one. Just don't connect one directly to UK 32A circuit...


       - Andy.
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