confusing electricity plugs in Italy

Does anybody understand the different types, sizes, shapes and colours of the various plugs and sockets that we get here ?

I find them most confusing !

V

Vicino wrote:Does anybody understand the different types, sizes, shapes and colours of the various plugs and sockets that we get here ?I find them most confusing !V

... it is not that long ago that the UK had multiple plugs... But I agree it takes some getting used to, it was not until I found an explanation on the web that I realised why. I'll try to dig the link out again, bit boring, but worth the effort. Best solution we have found is to get multiple type sockets if putting in new ones (even replaced a couple of old sockets fronts that were broken). Additionally we use 4-6 gang UK extensions on a single adaptor, better to get those with a surge protector in my opinion. Found the two prong adaptors in the UK from Amazon very hard to buy as they also come with two different pin sizes... Found I could get the smaller pin size travel adaptor from Sainsbury's with the shopping, they also do a UK visitor adaptor should you need one...    

Thanks Steve (as always !)

I worry sometimes that the plugs on the various items around the house should (for safety reasons) only be used in appropriately size plug sockets.

We have one location where there is a socket (a 2 gang ??), both are three pins in a straight vertical line, one of them though has slightly larger holes than the other, so unsure what plugs should be put on things.

   I am surprisingly thick on electrics...........even I would say that !

V

"V", it's all worth a quick glance, but do a search on this
"Italy CEI 23-16/VII" for Italy specific in this Wiki LINK . As I've said I think using the multi-standard sockets is the best solution. Certainly use the plug an appliance comes with rather than change it for a smaller rated plug which could be rather dangerous. As we only have the standard 3k supply we are always aware of being careful what we run...

Steve, absolutely SUPERB !! I can now at least start to understand a tiny bit, we seem to have pretty much all of the variations throughout the house !

Thanks a lot !

V

When I asked my geometra about this he couldn't come up with any satisfactory explanation.  

So thanks Steve, finally I know WHY there are different sockets randomly distributed around my house.  However I'm still at a loss as to why, during a complete restoration in 2005, the old system of wiring was still used.  Hoovering requires the carrying of at least one adapter from room to room.......