How strong is a plug in France?

Plug shape is only the tip of the iceberg! Appliances are built for a certain voltage, and will only work at these tensions. Electrical outlets in France usually deliver power at 220-240 volts. It is much stronger than most North American sockets, which usually deliver 110-120 V.

Do you need electricity if you buy a house in France?

When you buy a home in France – it’s likely to have an electricity supply already. Of course it might not, there are plenty of ancient properties that expats love to do up and they might need a supply laid on. And new builds will also need a new supply. But, let’s just assume, you’ve bought a house and it’s got electricity.

Do I need a power adapter in France?

However, if your devices use a different plug type or are not compatible with the voltage in France, you will need a power adapter and/or a voltage converter/transformer. The standard voltage in France is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

What type of electricity does France use?

Electricity in France runs on a 220-volt, 50-hertz AC current rather than the 110-volt, 60-hertz AC current used in the United States and Canada. France also uses a Type E plug (round pin and receptacle with male grounding pin) versus the Type A/B plug (flat blade/with round grounding pin) in North America.

What is the mains voltage in France?

Just like the rest of Europe, the voltage in France is 230 volts and the frequency is 50 Hz. Although the origin of the type E plug and socket system is unclear, it was likely developed in the 1920s by the Belgian electrical accessories manufacturer Vynckier (now part of General Electric Power Controls).

Can a universal power adapter fit a France outlet?

Universal power adapters usually come with multiple plug types and can be adjusted to fit France outlets and many others. If your devices are not compatible with the voltage in your destination country, a voltage converter or transformer will also be necessary to convert the voltage to the appropriate range for your devices.