worldwide-power

Here are the **PLUG and SOCKET types and Light Bulb types used in Tunisia**. These are basically the EURO standard connectors. The basic answer: Tunisia is:
 * 220 Volts AC 50 Hertz
 * Uses type C, E and F Plugs and sockets.

Which look like this: OK, here's more detail:
 * **LEFT:** (Black plug) 2-pin plugs used for __ungrounded__ devices. NOTE: Their pins are smaller in diameter than the grounded type plugs and sockets. This means: (1) These plugs __will__ plug into the grounded type outlets, but they will be loose and not make good contact. (2) The grounded type plugs __will not__ fit into the smaller ungrounded type outlets.
 * **CENTER:** Is the most common grounded outlet in Tunisia. If you buy a "power strip" at Carrefour it has this type socket. It has a round metal pin sticking OUT of it, which mates (you should pardon the expression) with the type of plug like the white one shown between the center and right sockets. Most larger appliances, computer power cords etc. will have this plug. It will also plug into the RIGHT socket shown above.
 * **RIGHT:** Is an older type 3-conductor grounding socket still often found here in Tunisia. Older sockets in the gym at ACST are these, for example. They accept (if properly introduced) the plug shown in white above, which has small grounding strips at it's edges which function in this socket.

Incandescent light bulbs in Tunisia are similar to US bulbs, but rated for 220 Volts. There are 3 types of bases usually seen (above). They are:
 * LIGHT BULBS IN TUNISIA:**
 * **LEFT:** "E27" or "Medium Edison Base" much like US bulbs. Will fit in simple (Switch only, not dimmer) US lamps, which will then work with plug adapters, or by installing a new plug. Available typically in 40 to 100 watts.
 * **CENTER**: "E11" or "Small Edison Base" much like US "Outdoor Christmas Lights". Many older Tunisian wall or ceiling lights use these. Available typically up to 60 watts.
 * **RIGHT**: "B22" or "Bayonet Base" which "Twist and Lock" into their sockets. These are common in the UK also.

---#TODO#: Fluorescent bulbs ---#TODO#: More details of adapting all this stuff should go here --- ---#TODO#: More details of dual-voltage and universal-voltage devices, which are becoming common. ---#TODO#: TRANSFORMERS (To run older US type 120 Volt devices here in Tunisia).

POWER DISTRIBUTION / MAIN POWER PANEL: (What you MIGHT want to know.. or not)
Electrical Power comes in from the street as 220 / 380 Volts 3-Phase "Wye". This means there are 3 power wires (And a "Neutral") coming into many modern houses. 380 volts is, of course, 220 times the square root of 3. ...OK, you didn't **need** to know that... :-)

Sometimes only 1 or 2 of the possible 3 wires come in, for older or low-powered houses. Only high-powered appliances like large air conditioners need to be connected to more than 1 power phase, and they will usually be labelled "380 Volts". All the normal wall outlets, like those shown above, are "220V single phase".


 * What you really MIGHT like to know:**
 * "Circuit Breakers" (In the power distribution panel) are called "Disjoncteurs" (French).
 * "Switches" (like wall light switches) are called "Interrupters" (French).
 * Most houses have a "Main Circuit Breaker" that includes a "Ground Fault Interrupter" (in French: "disjoncteur-détecteur de fuites à la terre"), which is a safety feature that turns the power off if something (such as you or your child's finger) becomes connected between 220 volts and Ground, or if some appliance or wire becomes defective. If all the power in your house goes off suddenly, check the power panel to see if the main circuit-breaker switch is off. Try to turn it back on. If it won't STAY on, turn off all circuit breakers except one. Try again. When you find which circuit breaker has the "Bad" item, search for the exact problem item: __U__nplug things like appliances, computers, and power strips, until the power will stay on. Plug one at a time back in until the culprit is found. NOTE: Outlets / Outlet strips that got wet in the Kitchen have been one cause.

A Few Notes on Wiring:
IF you decide to wire some things yourself, you'll find the EURO connectors and wiring system somewhat easier to use than the U.S. types. In particular, connections between wires and plugs, sockets, lighting fixtures, terminal strips etc. are made with setscrew type terminals. They're easier than those U.S. wrap-around-the-screw types, and more secure than the push-in-and-hope type. You just need a __small__ flat blade screwdriver to fit the terminals. ##TODO## Some more pictures.

A Few French Terms for Electrical Stuff: ##TODO##

 * Barrettes de Connexion: The small terminal strips used for wire-to-wire connections inside lighting fixtures and junction boxes. They come in several sizes, and often a small boxed set of three sizes is at CF.
 * Fils:Wires

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