German Normal (DN)
Lexikon
German Normal, abbreviated DN, is a frame size with outer dimensions of 370 by 223 millimeters that was introduced after the Second World War to unify the many regionally grown frame sizes across the German-speaking world.
German Normal, abbreviated DN, is a frame size with outer dimensions of 370 by 223 millimeters that was introduced after the Second World War to unify the many regionally grown frame sizes across the German-speaking world. As with the Zander size, DN uses the same frame size for both the brood chamber and the honey super.
DN is mainly widespread in the north and west of Germany and forms, among other things, the basis for the Segeberger hive, one of the most widely used box hives of all. Because the combs in the brood chamber and honey super are identical in size, the beekeeper can swap combs between the two areas as needed and renew the comb in a targeted way, similar to the Zander size.
A common beginner mistake is taking over used equipment without precisely checking the frame size, since DN and Zander look only slightly different from each other even though their outer dimensions clearly differ. Frames, boxes, and foundation from the two systems do not fit together. Anyone moving to a new region or taking over from an experienced beekeeper should therefore be sure to measure which size is actually in use before the first expansion.