The annoying thing about all these plugs is that you have to plug them into the socket the 'right' way around. Cylindrical plugs (phono, RCA, BNC, banana plugs, etc.) are much more convenient. Why can't all plugs be cylindrical?
Why does the world harbor so many different voltages, plugs, and sockets?
71–77 of 77 posts
Re: Why does the world harbor so many different voltages, plugs, and sockets?
#72I could accept different standards across the world - things evolve differently. But why should a country have multiple standards? That one drives me nuts. Here in Israel fine - we use Type C... except for the completely random use of Type H. Then, main room air conditioners use Type M - but at least that's standardized...except for when it isn't.
C is no ground and H does have But what I've been seeing these days is C style pins, but with a ground The M used in Israel might be different than the one pictured as it is used exclusively for 3 phase lines (so an AC that doesn't need 3 phase can then have a regular plug)
Our C is both ground and no ground. We have two prong and three prong type C, much like NA has two and three prong. Currently, the electricians I've spoken to say that we do indeed use an "M" (notice the quotes) because it's an Israeli M. Frankly.. it's quite silly.
Re: Why does the world harbor so many different voltages, plugs, and sockets?
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
I definitely have a local bias but I believe this one has the best of all criteria. From compact to safety (improved 2007 version) and robustness as well as being polarized. Swiss Plug: https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SN_441011 Compact 3 socket version: https://www.bauhaus.ch/product-images/52/95/22025295/1009627... Multiphase: https://en.m.wikipedia.org…
It's an interesting mix of the US 3-prong and the compact Euro designs. Indeed much more compact than type E or F.
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Re: Why does the world harbor so many different voltages, plugs, and sockets?
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
I definitely have a local bias but I believe this one has the best of all criteria. From compact to safety (improved 2007 version) and robustness as well as being polarized. Swiss Plug: https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SN_441011 Compact 3 socket version: https://www.bauhaus.ch/product-images/52/95/22025295/1009627... Multiphase: https://en.m.wikipedia.org…
I don't like the Swiss plug. The 3x socket has a problem where a bulky charger will block all three sockets. I'd almost always rather have two sockets with some space between them. And non-recessed sockets, which the Swiss socket allows while Schuko doesn't, make me uneasy.
Since 2016 only Type 13 sockets with a recessed socket hole may be brought onto the market. [1]
[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SN_441011#Structure_of_the_S...
Re: Why does the world harbor so many different voltages, plugs, and sockets?
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't like the Swiss plug. The 3x socket has a problem where a bulky charger will block all three sockets. I'd almost always rather have two sockets with some space between them. And non-recessed sockets, which the Swiss socket allows while Schuko doesn't, make me uneasy.
Since 2016 only Type 13 sockets with a recessed socket hole may be brought onto the market. [1] [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SN_441011#Structure_of_the_S...
Oh, nice!
Re: Why does the world harbor so many different voltages, plugs, and sockets?
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why would people not accept fuses in plugs? (Apart from the size issue & in reality you could probably fit a fuse into a modern US plug without making it much bigger than it is now.)
String lights often have fuses in the US.
Yup, because for those, the cable between the lights can’t take the current that the cable from the wall can deliver, so you ought to have a fuse for safety reasons - a short could cause a fire.
(Whether this is legally required in the US presumably depends on local electrical code.)
Re: Why does the world harbor so many different voltages, plugs, and sockets?
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
String lights often have fuses in the US.
Yup, because for those, the cable between the lights can’t take the current that the cable from the wall can deliver, so you ought to have a fuse for safety reasons - a short could cause a fire. (Whether this is legally required in the US presumably depends on local electrical code.)
It's because string lights use very thin wire gauge, and they are often daisy-chained. If they couldn't be daisy-chained they wouldn't have a fuse.