This month in Interpower Connections we are continuing our series on designing for export. We have discussed designing for Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. France and Belgium use the CEE 7/VII plug, also known as the Continental European plug, which is used in Germany and many other European countries. The CEE 7/V socket is used in France and Belgium, along with other countries including Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. We will discuss the requirements and resources needed when designing for France and Belgium in this Interpower Connections article.The CEE 7/V socket is rated at 16 amps, 250 volts and has a male grounding pin on the face of the socket. In addition, France and Belgium require safety shuttering on all their sockets. The CEE 7/V socket is not compatible with the CEE 7/IV plug due to the male grounding pin. The CEE 7/VII plug can be used for the CEE 7/III and CEE 7/V sockets as it offers grounding clips on both sides to mate with the CEE 7/III socket and a female contact to accept the grounding pin on the CEE 7/V French/Belgian socket. The French/Belgian socket is not compatible with the CEE 7/IV plug which does not incorporate the female contact. See illustration below.
The French/Belgian socket is pin polarized. It is notable that the CEE 7/VII plug is polarized when used in the French and Belgian electrical system. There are two types of polarization: physical and electrical. The illustration above demonstrates physical polarization, i.e. the ability to allow or stop a connection being made with the plug in one or more positions. Electrical polarization occurs when each line or connection of the supply is connected to a specific contact on the plug or socket, which is dictated by either a specific standard, or common practice. France and Belgium have no standard for wiring connectors; therefore, electrical polarization is non-existent.LCIE is the standards testing agency for France. When designing your product for export, you should contact the testing agency for the country you are designing for. Below is the link for France’s testing and approval agency.
LCIE 
http://www.lcie.com
When you have the appropriate standard numbers, you can purchase the standards. The standards contain the information you need to design your equipment and gain the appropriate approvals to export to France and Belgium.
For information on France and Belgium’s power mains, you may visit our Power Mains Monday – France/Belgium blog post, our National Power Mains webcast, and our National Power Mains white paper.
IEC 60320 C5 Continental European Cord Set
Interpower Corporation manufactures IEC 60320 C5 Continental European cord sets. The IEC 60320 C5 Continental European cord set carries all appropriate approvals. Interpower Corporation carries many cord sets in stock, and offers a 1-week manufacturing lead time for nonstock cord sets. Value-added options such as custom length, labeling, and packaging are available upon request. From 1 to 1,000 pieces or more, we have no minimum order requirements. Same day shipping is available for stock cord sets. Order online at www.interpower.com, or contact our Customer Service Department from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST at (800) 662-2290 or email info@interpower.com.
Complimentary Wall Chart: Connect to the World
Here is your chance to request your complimentary copy of our Connect to the World wall chart. This helpful chart is a quick reference to the plugs and sockets used for countries worldwide along with Interpower part numbers. It offers information specific for each power main listed. Click on the chart to download your copy, or visit our website and join our mailing list to request a copy to be sent to you. Please enter "Connect to the World" along with your mailing address.