The SN 441011 (SEV 1011) Swiss standard

Current types – SN 441011 standard

SN EN 50075 / T26

Essentially the pan-European Europlug, with 4mm tapering pins and rated 2.5A at 250V. It fits all Swiss socket outlets. Sometimes referred to as Typ 26, which does not fit the naming convention, but is the next available number sequentially..

T11

The Typ 11 plug is a 10A rated ungrounded plug with straight 4mm diameter pins spaced at 19mm. There is no wall outlet, but a trailing sockets for extension leads exist, which have a collar to make the socket recessed. Unearthed 2 pole plugs and sockets cannot be supplied as rewireables. The plug fits all sockets, and the socket accepts T11 and Euoplugs. It was first standardised in 1952, and the current version is SEV 6533-1:2009 for the socket and 6533-2 for the plug.

T12

The SN 441011 Typ 12  plug (SEV 1011 Typ 12) is the main plug used in Switzerland. It is the same layout as the T11, but adds a third central earth pin offset by 5mm. In the IEC categorisation it is known as type J plug. Type 12 sockets were flush, not recessed, and since 2012 are longer permitted for sale or import: they have been replaced by the T13. The T12 plug fits all earthed outlets, and was first codified in 1937 in SEV 6534-2 (6534-1 for the deprecated socket).

T13

The T13 socket is a revision (SEV 6535:2009) of the T12 socket, but recessed to prevent accidental shock with uninsulated plug pins. Even when the T12 was still current, T13 sockets were required in humid conditions including bathrooms, and also in places of work. This is the normal Swiss domestic power outlet, also known as type J socket. It accepts T12, T11 and Europlugs. Sockets may have three outlets in a circle, with the earth aperture innermost.

T15

The T15 plug and socket are a 10A 250V / 400V 3 phase system introduced in 1979 to replace previous 2- and 3-phase systems. The layout is the same as the single phase T12/T13, but adds an extra two flat pins for the two additional phases, making 5 in total: 3 Pole plus Neutral plus Earth. The Swiss 3 phase plug SEV 6532-2 fits 3 phase outlets (T15 & T25), and the recessed 6532-1 socket accepts T15, T12, T11 and Europlugs.

T21

The Typ 21 plug is a 2 pole unearthed 16A plug with larger rectangular 4mm x 5mm pins, which are uninsulated. Like the T11 10A version, there is no wall socket, only an inline cable connector for extension leads, and rewireables are not permitted. The SEV 5933-1 plug fits 16A outlets (T21, T23, T25), and the 5933-2 inline socket accept ungrounded plugs (T21, T11, Europlug).

T23

The Typ 23 plugs and sockets are an earthed version of the T21, adding an offset grounding pin. The SEV 5934-1 socket accepts all single phase plugs (T21, T12, T11, Europlug), and the SEV 5934-2 plug fits 16A sockets (T23, T25).

T25

The Typ 25 is a three phase version of T23, adding two more slightly smaller pins. It is 3P+N+E rated 16A 250V / 400V, and like all the 16a plugs was introduced in 1998. The SEV 5932-2 T25 plug only fits the 5932-1 matching socket, but the recessed socket outlet accepts all Swiss plugs.

Typ-adaptors

In addition to the standard plugs, SN SEV 1011:2009/A1:2012 appendix A1 Multiway and intermediate adapters, cord sets, cord extension sets, travel adaptors and fixed adaptors sets out requirements for various adaptors for using e.g. neighbouring French, German and Italian standard plugs in Switzerland.  Usage is limited to 1 hour at maximum load, adaptors cannot be stacked, i.e. multiple adaptors used simultaneously, and their design must prevent a single pin from being inserted on its own.  Multiway adaptors are limited to a maximum of four outlets, and multiple socket extension leads now require a thermal circuit breaker for added overcurrent protection.  This is because 10A plugs fit a 16A socket, which is protected by a 16A circuit breaker: with an extension lead it is possible for several appliance to draw in excess of the plug’s 10A rating before tripping the breaker.  All products must conform to the Verordnung über elektrische Niederspannungserzeugnisse, NEV, or low voltage equipment ordinance.

Obsolete types – SEV 1011 standard

T1

The Typ 1 was a rectangular 10A 2 pole plug and socket, now replaced by T11. The sockets are long obsolete, but the plugs could be purchased domestically until the year 2000.

T2

The Typ 2 plug and socket was an early grounded Swiss plug, using a reverse earth pin similar the French CEE7/5. Rated 10A 250V, it has been replaced by T12 and T13.

T7

Typ 7 was a 500V 15A 2-phase and earth (2P+E) system for electric cookers. It had a similar pin configuration to contemporary Swiss plugs, but a larger earth pin and wider spacing. It was replaced by the 3 phase T25.

T8

The Typ 8 was a 3 phase electric oven plug and socket (3P+E) rated 500V 15A, also replaced by the T25.

T9

The Typ 9 was a 3 phase (3P+N+E) 500V 25A plug and outlet, again for electric cookers. The pin layout is similar to T25.

T10

The Typ 10 was another 3 phase (3P+E) 500V 25A plug, with 4 pins arranged in a square.

T14

The Typ 14 was a transition socket that complied with both T2 (reverse earth pin) and the modern T13 requirements. Not permitted since 1974.

T18

The Typ 18 was a single phase 10A 380V plug and socket with perpendicular flat blade line and neutral pins; the earth is a round reverse pin in the socket, pictured, like the T2.

T19

The Typ 19 is a later development and identical to the T18, except its earth is a round aperture in the socket instead.

T20

The Typ 20 socket was designed to accept both T18 and T19 plugs, so has both the earthing pin and the earthing aperture. The T18, T19 and T20 were phased out in the 1980s in favour of the 3 phase system.

J-plugs

Another obsolete series of plug is the J plugs, industrial grade plugs and sockets now replaced by IEC 60309. These were rectangular plugs with flat parallel pins in line. These are SEV Types 30, 34, 52, 53, 56, 57, 60 and 61; full details of pin configurations and voltage and current ratings are available upon request. Some replacement IEC 60309 parts also have Swiss standard numbers: a 2P+E 230V 16A is SEV Typ 63 for example.