The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug • Hacker News Board

The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#1

Post by moreati » Mon, May 28, 2012, 1:57 PM UTC

The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug
themu.co.uk

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#2

Post by moreati » Mon, May 28, 2012, 1:58 PM UTC

This is a 2009 concept, finally becoming a product http://www.reghardware.com/2009/06/24/folding_uk_plug/

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#3

Post by unwind » Mon, May 28, 2012, 2:14 PM UTC

I couldn't find any information about whether or not this contains a fuse ... Isn't that mandatory for UK plugs?

Seems quite "daring" to launch something like this for only the UK. Sure, it's a big market, but I hope they're looking at modularizing the plug part internally so they can instantiate the Mu for other markets, too.

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#4

Post by casca » Mon, May 28, 2012, 2:18 PM UTC

The only good thing about the UK plug is that it's possible to push a standard 2-pin EU plug into the socket.

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#5

Post by fooooobar » Mon, May 28, 2012, 2:23 PM UTC

I love how you have to drag the shitty image 3 times to get to see the entire 'animation'.

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#6

Post by weavejester » Mon, May 28, 2012, 2:24 PM UTC

unwind wrote: post #3

I couldn't find any information about whether or not this contains a fuse ... Isn't that mandatory for UK plugs? Seems quite "daring" to launch something like this for only the UK. Sure, it's a big market, but I hope they're looking at modularizing the plug part internally so they can instantiate the Mu for other markets, too.

It seems rather unlikely they'd be selling this if they didn't comply with UK regulations!

I'm also not sure why you think it's daring to launch a product for, in your words, "a big market".

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#7

Post by archivator » Mon, May 28, 2012, 2:27 PM UTC

casca wrote: post #4

The only good thing about the UK plug is that it's possible to push a standard 2-pin EU plug into the socket.

I've had a plug disintegrate inside the socket. (the metal prongs somehow detached from the plug). So, don't do this!

I'd argue that the really good thing about the UK plug is 1) the switches in the sockets and 2) that the devices are all well-grounded. The EU one is usually just 2 contacts, with an optional 3rd one for ground. That's bad, anyway I look at it.

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#8

Post by frabcus » Mon, May 28, 2012, 2:30 PM UTC

unwind wrote: post #3

I couldn't find any information about whether or not this contains a fuse ... Isn't that mandatory for UK plugs? Seems quite "daring" to launch something like this for only the UK. Sure, it's a big market, but I hope they're looking at modularizing the plug part internally so they can instantiate the Mu for other markets, too.

Umm, it only makes sense in the UK, where we have a very large plug standard.

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#9

Post by mootothemax » Mon, May 28, 2012, 2:35 PM UTC

archivator wrote: post #7

casca wrote: post #4

The only good thing about the UK plug is that it's possible to push a standard 2-pin EU plug into the socket.

I've had a plug disintegrate inside the socket. (the metal prongs somehow detached from the plug). So, don't do this! I'd argue that the really good thing about the UK plug is 1) the switches in the sockets and 2) that the devices are all well-grounded. The EU one is usually just 2 contacts, with an optional 3rd one for ground. That's bad, anyway I look at it.

I'd argue that the really good thing about the UK plug is 1) the switches in the sockets and 2) that the devices are all well-grounded

There are quite a lot of safety features built in to UK plugs. Other ones I'm aware of are the holes being shuttered until a plug is inserted, and the internal design meaning that if you pull hard enough on the external wire, pulling it out, the internal wires will disconnect in a safe order.

Re: The Mu - Folding UK 3-pin → USB plug

#10

Post by antihero » Mon, May 28, 2012, 2:38 PM UTC

mootothemax wrote: post #9

archivator wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've had a plug disintegrate inside the socket. (the metal prongs somehow detached from the plug). So, don't do this! I'd argue that the really good thing about the UK plug is 1) the switches in the sockets and 2) that the devices are all well-grounded. The EU one is usually just 2 contacts, with an optional 3rd one for ground. That's bad, anyway I look at it.

I'd argue that the really good thing about the UK plug is 1) the switches in the sockets and 2) that the devices are all well-grounded There are quite a lot of safety features built in to UK plugs. Other ones I'm aware of are the holes being shuttered until a plug is inserted, and the internal design meaning that if you pull hard enough on the external wire, pulling it out, the internal wires will disconnect in a saf…

If only the safety features went as far as making them less horrendous to stand on.