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Home › Knowledge › What is a SCHUKO socket, and how does it differ from an industrial CEE socket?

What is a SCHUKO socket, and how does it differ from an industrial CEE socket?

SCHUKO is the German earthed socket (CEE 7/3): 16A 230V, 2P+E, no earth pin — earthing is through the side clips. How it differs from industrial CEE, the national variants, and the models we stock.

What SCHUKO is

SCHUKO is short for the German Schutzkontakt (protective contact) and refers to the German earthed socket, CEE 7/3: 16A 230V, 2P+E. Its most obvious feature is that it has no earth pin — earthing is made through metal clips on both sides of the socket contacting the sides of the plug. Sockets usually have a shutter to prevent accidental contact.

How it differs from an industrial CEE socket

SCHUKO (German)Industrial CEE (IEC 60309)
PositioningDomestic / office / light commercialIndustrial environments
RangeEssentially 16A 230V 2P+E only16A–125A, many voltages and pole counts, clock position as mistake-proofing
ProtectionMostly IP20; shrouded versions reach IP44 and aboveIP44 / IP67 / IP69
Mechanical strengthModerateDesigned for sites and workshops
InterchangeabilityOnly between countries using the same standardCross-brand mating within the same specification

Conclusion: use industrial CEE in workshops, outdoors, in damp areas and wherever mechanical damage is possible; SCHUKO belongs in offices, next to control cabinets and on light-duty equipment.

Domestic sockets are not interchangeable between countries

StandardTypical regionOur models
SCHUKO / DIN 49440-1Germany, Netherlands and others10081, 10082, 10083 (16A 230V 2P IP44 wall-mounted)
French / BelgianFrance, Belgium10092 (16A 230V 2P IP44 wall-mounted)
UK 13AUnited Kingdom10713, 10718 (panel-mounted)
US NEMAUSA, Canada10087 (15A 125V 2P IP44 panel-mounted)
SCHUKO plug / connectorMatching parts10749 (plug), 10751 (connector)
Reference: MENNEKES SCHUKO® product knowledge.

Related: the mounting names · standards and colour coding

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