What is Schuko Plug?

Written by: 110220volts Published by: 110220volts Copyright holder: 110220volts on 
 
The term schuko is basically referred to as a system of AC power supply and sockets. We can call it simply a safety contact. Here we will discuss about schuko plug only. If we go into the brief history of Shuko plug then we will come to know that this plug was firstly designed in Germany after the World War 2 shortly. Then it goes back to a patent (DE 370538) approved in 1926 to Albert Büttner, a Bavarian manufacturer of electrical equipment.
 

Technical Information About Schuko Plug:

A Schuko plug is composed of two round pins of 4.8 mm diameter (19 mm long, centers 19 mm apart) to be used for the line and neutral contacts, while two flat contact areas on the top and bottom side of the plug for defensive earth (ground). The other part, socket which is often, in error, has a primarily circular recess which is 17.5 mm deep comprises of two symmetrical round shaped holes and two earthing clips on the sides of the socket located to make sure that the earth is always involved before live pin contact has been made.

Schuko plugs and sockets are basically symmetric AC connectors. They can be coupled in two ways, therefore line can be joined to either pin of the application plug. There are various types of schuko plugs, these plugs are categorized by earth clips, rather than by earth pin. The standard, often specified as ‘Schuko‘ is accepted by a huge number of central European countries because these Schuko plugs are considered to be very safe design when normally used with Schuko sockets, but on coupling with the other types of schuko sokets they can produce an insecure result.

Types of Schuko Plugs:

There are commonly three types of schuko plugs while involving a schuko socket is first one, with which these plugs are coupled safely. And are described under as:

Now firstly we have (Schuko) type socket with two openings (live and neutral; not polarized) and two earth clips. All types of outlets are settled to make sure that connection between fingers/hand  and pins should not be possible, even if plugs are not fully inserted into socket.

 

The second one we have is (Schuko) plug, operates at current16A, and voltage250V. its Live and neutral pins have a diameter of 4.8 mm. Green arrows are indicating the guides.

The third one is called as Female Schuko plug, which operates at 10-16A, 250V. The variety in the current ratings is indicating that these plugs can be used in domestic 10A circuits as well as 16A circuits.

The last one is Plug with one extra opening accepting the earth pin of French sockets (green arrow). so, this is why this plug fits into both Schuko and French sockets.