Editing AC power plugs and sockets (section)

==== Italian multiple standard sockets ====
[[File:Vimar-brand universale (all purpose) socket.jpg|thumb|A CEI&nbsp;23-50&nbsp;P&nbsp;40 socket (Italian adapted ''Schuko'') next to a CEI&nbsp;23-50&nbsp;17/11 (''Bipasso'') socket in a modern installation]]
[[File:4box side 4B.AM.H21 28-14.jpg|thumb|''4box side'' socket combining 1 Schuko and 2 CEI&nbsp;23-50&nbsp;P&nbsp;17/11 ''bipasso'' (Italian type plugs)]]
[[File:ForzaLuce1950.jpg|thumb|upright=.75|Old adaptor from ''forza'' to 2&nbsp;× ''luce'' and 1&nbsp;× ''forza'']]

In modern installations in Italy (and in other countries where Type&nbsp;L plugs are used) it is usual to find sockets that can accept more than one standard.

The simplest type, designated CEI&nbsp;23-50 P&nbsp;17/11, has a central round hole flanked by two figure-8 shaped holes, allowing the insertion of CEI&nbsp;23-50 S&nbsp;10 (Italian 10&nbsp;A plug unearthed), CEI&nbsp;23-50 S&nbsp;11 (Italian 10&nbsp;A plug earthed), CEI&nbsp;23-50 S&nbsp;16 (Italian 16&nbsp;A plug unearthed), CEI&nbsp;23-50 S&nbsp;17 (Italian 16&nbsp;A plug earthed) and CEE&nbsp;7/16 (Europlug). The advantage of this socket style is its small, compact face; its drawback is that it accepts neither CEE&nbsp;7/7 nor CEE&nbsp;7/17, very commonly found in new appliances sold in Italy. Vimar brand claims to have patented this socket first in 1975<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.vimar.eu/index.php?l=it&module=articles&class=articles&event=__default&menu_item_id=134&content=20 |title=La ricerca della sicurezza. Ma la ricerca continua | publisher=Vimar |access-date=22 January 2009 |language=it}}</ref> with their ''Bpresa'' model; however soon other brands started selling similar products, mostly naming them with the generic term ''presa bipasso'' (twin-gauge socket) that is now of common use.

A second type is called CEI&nbsp;23-50 P&nbsp;30 and looks like a Schuko socket, but adds a central earthing hole (optional according to CEI&nbsp;23-50, but virtually always present). This design can accept CEE&nbsp;7/4 (German), CEE&nbsp;7/7 (German/French), CEE&nbsp;7/16, CEE&nbsp;7/17 (''Konturenstecker'', German/French unearthed), CEI&nbsp;23-50 S&nbsp;10 and CEI&nbsp;23-50 S&nbsp;11 plugs. Its drawback is that, while it is twice as large as a normal Italian socket, it still does not accept Italian 16&nbsp;A plugs; therefore this socket is relatively rarely installed.

A more flexible hybrid socket is called CEI&nbsp;23-50 P&nbsp;40. This socket, which is quickly becoming the standard in Italy along with CEI&nbsp;23-50 P&nbsp;17/11, accepts the same plugs as P&nbsp;30 and additionally Italian S&nbsp;16 and S&nbsp;17 plugs. A small drawback is that it does not accept SPA&nbsp;11, SPB&nbsp;11, SPA&nbsp;17 and SPB&nbsp;17 side-entry plugs; however almost no appliance is sold with these types, which are mainly used to replace existing plugs.
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