Saint Barthélemy Power Plugs, Wall Sockets & Electrical Outlets
In Saint Barthélemy, power plugs and sockets (electrical outlets) of Type C (CEE 7/16 (Europlug), two round pins, ungrounded) and Type E (CEE 7/5, two round pins plus hole for socket grounding pin, grounded) are used. Wall sockets run at 230V and 60Hz. Check if you need a travel adapter, electrical adapter or voltage converter before travelling to Saint Barthélemy.
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Saint Barthélemy uses:
Understanding Saint Barthélemy's Power Plugs and Sockets
Saint Barthélemy power plug standards follow French electrical conventions, since the island is a French overseas collectivity. Visitors will encounter a mix of AC power plugs and sockets operating at 230V and 60Hz, which is a slightly different frequency than mainland France but compatible with most modern electronics. Two plug types are in common use: the two-pin Type C Europlug and the grounded Type E plug, both designed for round-pin sockets found throughout the territory.
Do All Sockets in Saint Barthélemy Look the Same?
Not entirely. Many hotels, villas, and shops use the French-standard Type E electrical outlet, which accepts both Type E and Type C plugs, but you may also come across sockets designed primarily for ungrounded devices. Because the Europlug's thinner 4mm pins fit loosely into some larger sockets, small electronics may not always sit snugly, even though they will still function.
Grounding and the Earth Pin
Type E sockets in Saint Barthélemy feature a protruding grounding pin built into the wall outlet itself, which slots into a corresponding hole on the plug rather than the plug carrying its own earth pin. This arrangement offers reliable 16A grounding protection for larger appliances, kitchen equipment, and power tools. Type C Europlugs, by contrast, have no grounding contact at all and are only intended for double-insulated, low-power devices.
Saint Barthélemy Electrical Outlets Explained
For travelers packing chargers, cameras, or laptops, a compact travel adaptor that converts your home plug shape to Type C or Type E will cover nearly every electrical outlet on the island. Low-power gadgets like phone chargers typically use the two-pin Europlug, while grounded appliances rely on the sturdier Type E connector.
- Type C (Europlug): two round 4mm pins, ungrounded, rated up to 2.5A for small electronics
- Type E (French standard): two round 4.8mm pins with socket-side grounding pin, rated up to 16A for grounded appliances
Frequently Asked Questions
If your home country uses Type C or Type E plugs, no adapter is needed. Otherwise, you'll need a travel adaptor to fit either the two-pin Europlug or the grounded Type E socket used across the island.
Saint Barthélemy operates on 230V at 60Hz. Check that your devices support this voltage range before plugging in, especially appliances brought from 110-120V countries.
Saint Barthélemy uses both Type C (Europlug) and Type E plugs. Type C is common for small ungrounded electronics, while Type E is used for grounded appliances requiring more power.
Many sockets are grounded Type E outlets, which use a protruding pin in the socket to provide earthing for compatible plugs. However, Type C Europlugs are ungrounded and simply fit into these sockets without connecting to the earth pin.
