European (France) Electricity 1

[1mkh]

Does anyone know the difference between European (France) domestic power and UK? If a hotel provided socket outlets to take the European (France) type plug would it be necessary to alter the earthing configuration?

 

[Blackcountryman]

The traditional nominal voltages are
France 220/380V and I think most of mainland Europe
UK 240/415V both are 50Hz.
These are being harmonised to 230/400V due to be complete by 2008 by then all countries should have 230/400 +-10% after this the tolerance will be tightened.
French sockets have a pin for the earth and sockets for the L & N. If I remember rightly some sockets have no earth pin.
The adaptors I have (UK Plugs to French Sockets) allow for the earth connection to be made.
Having said that most appliaces I use in France are douple insulated with no earth connection so it is years since I looked.
Hope this helps
John