Glossary
Wall socket (base de enchufe, outlet)
The fixed outlet on the wall into which an appliance plug goes. In Spain the standard one is the 16 A Schuko type with side earth clips, fed from the general-use socket circuit or from a dedicated one. In US English, an outlet or receptacle.
What a base de enchufe is
The base de enchufe or toma de corriente is the fixed half of the plug and socket pair: the one in the wall (an outlet or receptacle in the US). The moving half on the appliance cable is the plug (clavija). The socket receives three wires: live, neutral and protective earth (ground).
The Spanish standard
The usual socket is the Schuko, 16 A and 230 V, with two round holes and two metal side clips for the earth. UK plugs need an adaptor or a plug change. Old sockets without those clips have no earth: an appliance with a fault in its casing can give you a shock.
Which circuit each socket hangs from
Under ITC-BT-25, the sockets in a Spanish home are spread over circuits:
- C2: general use and fridge, 16 A.
- C3: cooker and oven, 25 A.
- C4: washing machine, dishwasher and water heater, 20 A.
- C5: bathroom and kitchen worktop sockets, 16 A.
That is why the oven socket is not the same as the living room one: there is a thicker cable and a different protection behind it.
Warning signs
A loose plug, yellowed or deformed plastic, black marks, heat with a powerful appliance plugged in or sparks when plugging in. All of them point to a poor contact.
Cost
As a guide, replacing a socket costs 30 to 50 euros, and adding a new one with a chased line 80 to 150 euros, plus VAT. See handyman electrician in Seville, Spain.
Related services
Extra sockets and lights
We install extra sockets in your apartment in Seville, Spain where you now use power strips, new light points, two-way switches, USB, data and TV sockets, and new lines for appliances that need them. It is one of the jobs most requested when moving into a new-build home or rearranging the furniture.
Sockets not working
Sockets not working, loose, overheating or sparking are the most requested repair in Seville, Spain. We replace the socket (outlet) or switch, check the connection and the box, and if the problem comes from the circuit we track it down so it does not happen again.
Need an electrician in Seville, Spain?
Call us or send a WhatsApp message with a photo of the job. You get a fixed quote before any work starts.