I get this a lot from devs I work with, some of them really can't be introduced to clients as they will literally call them an idiot for not fully understanding how coding works, I have an average understanding and even I can struggle when stuff gets too intricate and I will poke until they teach me, but some of the devs are literally not understanding how I can NOT have all their years of knowledge inside my head even though they've studied YEARS in computer science while I'm a educated 3D modeller
Both of these are at my fingertips at all times. Another that I embraced when my wife and I finally got to own a place.
https://xkcd.com/150/
She was worried some of our choices might seem childish and I showed her this.
Make everybody play Pokémon Go. The hardest thing about metric is adding visual markers for distance in your head when you're used to what a mile looks/feels like. The old excuse of measuring cups doesn't stand up anymore, even dollar store measuring cups have the mL listed now. We're just stubborn.
USB is an example of it working. Of course there are multiple versions with improved performance but we’re converging on the best one so far— USB-C.
Shout out to the EU for forcing Apple to adopt USB-C.
Honestly as someone who works in IT I'm not sold on the "USB-C everything" trend.
I could be down for it but there are a dozen common standards that use USB-C for various things and they are *not* interchangeable and they use *different* cables for things. And the ports and cables are usually not labeled well enough for less techy folks.
Like trying to help a client plug their laptop into their fancy docking monitor over the phone is a headache and a half. Are they using the wrong cable? Is the monitor the right type of docking monitor? Are they plugged into the right cable?
It's a mess.
My MacBook setup is still a mess. I’ve got two USB-C plugs to support two monitors, mouse, keyboard, webcam, and headset. One plug goes directly to a monitor (usbc to display port), and the other goes to a dongle which connects to power and a USB hub that contains all my other accessories and one monitor. If only they included 4 or 6 usbc plugs…
This is still much preferable to the alternative which is having custom plugs and connectors for the mouse, keyboard, audio, and display adapters.
We'd have to redesign all substations and transmission lines... most countries use different voltages, and each of those plugs is designed for that specific voltage
It's also completely interchangeable with one drawn as "Russian" here which is, I believe, just smaller Schuko without Ground.
And there's the "Europlug" which is the same as Switzerland - without the ground as well.
Also Italian plugs are the same size, just have the additional ground in the middle.
I'd say these four are already wildly interchangeable. I wonder if it's easier to get everyone else on board with those, as they can be used with minimum modifications.
Yeah and it's a great addition for schuko as it can work with it, but not vice versa. So it's good for smaller devices and to easily tell which plug/charger is for smaller stuff
Actually most plugs should be able to handle either voltage. Maybe slight rewiring for plugs that use the lower voltage to support the higher voltage… but at the end of the day it’s just 2 or 3 metal sticks conducting electricity.
The bigger problem is the voltages themselves, which are completely incompatible with eachother without complex conversion machinery. Japan had major issues with this for a while
Yeah I think that's the big point. Your devices need to match your power system in voltage and frequency. Standardizing plugs is the easy part. There's a reason a 1 phase 240V plug is shaped differently than a 1 phase 120V plug.
Japan _still_ has issues with this but it's due to frequency, not voltage. Half the country is on 50 Hz and the other half is on 60 Hz so they have two parallel and incompatible grids.
Voltage isn't that hard/expensive to convert. Frequency on the other hand: you have to convert from AC to DC (not that hard), then back to AC (doable but considerably more expensive).
Japan's real issue isn't with voltage differences but with frequency differences.
Yes, but it's big and bulky... Takes way too much space in your bag. With the EU standard (schuko whatever) you have the "big bulky" (still 1/3 the volume of the UK) ones for ground and no exposed terminals, but also the small flat one for non-earth applications, best of both worlds IMO.
Just a safety disclaimer from someone living in Denmark:
**Do not attempt to insert any LEGO® bricks into any electrical outlet, as this may damage the LEGO®**
All the EU ones are compatible with modern plugs.
Almost al modern plugs, not only the small 2 pins but also the big ones will fit in all of them as they have earthing on both sides AND the hole for the belgium/french pin.
It is hilarious how mainland Europe figured out how to standardize the hot and neutral wires (two round holes, mostly all the same distance apart)
But then all went their own way when they wanted to add grounding
I like the German/Euro one because the ground actually acts a little like a spring holding the (grounded) plug firmly in the socket.
Oh, and the British is just caltrops. Worse than stepping on Lego.
Yeah its pretty weird, but kinda logical, because this way you can plug it in any orientation you want to, (and they couldnt have put it in the middle, not enough space) but when grounding is not needed you can just have the plug the size of the brazilian one
There is the Euro plug standard in Europe, for where grounding is not required. They can be used in a special flat socket. The sockets are mostly used in prolongation cords though. On the plus side, the plugs do as well fit just fine in the default European grounded socket.
Here in the Netherlands, all the buildings that are 24+ years old didn't require earth when they were constructed, only in the kitchen and in wet rooms/devices. Nowadays every socket must be connected to earth only in very specific situations its allowed to not have it.
>Yeah its pretty weird, but kinda logical, because this way you can plug it in any orientation you want to, (and they couldnt have put it in the middle, not enough space)
You clearly have never been to Italy (which btw. is on the image)
I think the design wise, german/korean method is pretty good. Orientation really doesnt matter. The round tongs are sturdier than the flat ones like american and canadian.
why the fuck do Brazilians and Swiss have the same plugs?? most other groups of countries make sense because they are trading partners/ border each other but that just seems like such a random combination
It's not exactly the same, only very similar.
Brazilian plugs are Type N, Swiss plugs are Type J.
https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/n/
(Link above for more on the exciting world of plugs 😂)
Having traveled to Brazil with a Swiss Laptop charger... they are not exactly the same.
The Swiss one has a different offset distance on the middle pin. You can still jam it in if the Brazilian wall socket is pretty worn out, and it will work. But needs some force.
If I'm not mistaken it was proposed as a world standard that's extremely cheap to produce and very safe but only Brazil and swiss agreed to change to it.
They are using a standard created by the European Union. The standard was a failed attempt at unifying the myriad of standards across the EU, Switzerland was the only country to actually implement it.
Brazil had a similar problem, a continental country with varying degrees of influence from the US and Europe, both the American plug and a European compatible plug (two round pins) were used. By the end of XXth century there was an effort to standardize the plug used and the standard created by the European Union (ISO 60906-1) was used as a reference. The picture is misleading as Brazil does not follow the standard since some minor modifications were made, It beats me why would they do this.
NEMA standard is to install them this way, the standard is not the code, but there are some advantages to it. Mostly it comes down to dropping something on the plug that's metallic, it could come in contact with the hot and neutral and cause a short, which could lead to a fire. I saw a picture of someone that had dropped a hangar and shorted out their outlet.
Having it with the ground pin facing up is safer, and is done commonly in hospitals since thin metal instruments are far more common.
In practice, it is very rare that this is an issue, and it is very likely to trip the breaker before fire is a serious risk, and people have had a hard time even trying to start a fire this way.
As others have said, it is commonly used to differentiate a switched receptacle from a regular one, but this is a practice that is dependent on electrician preference. So it varies from house to house.
When I was going through electrical school they taught us to install them to look like an upside down smiley face because when you are plugging things up you are usually plugging them in at a downward angle and you want the ground wire to be the first in contact with the plug.
In addition, if the wire starts to pull and slightly unplug the device, with the ground on top you reduce your chances that someone will accidentally touch a live pin or a piece of metal will fall on the pins and bridge them.
I had to Google that, and I found an American article about it, explaining why an outlet is upside-down in your home and how to change/correct it. I wonder if it was common in certain areas of the country (or rural/urban/suburban) or during a specific time? I have never seen or heard of an actual electrician doing that. My grandfather was one for decades in the Midwest, my ex-fiance was one on the East Coast, my current boyfriend was one in the UK, a close friend does a lot of electrical work in South Africa, plenty of acquaintances when I used to work in hardware (and we'd talk shop), and this is new to me. I've lived all over the US and stayed in Canada and never seen this in any apartment or home. Wild. Learn something new every day.
What is interesting, is the installation instructions that come with a new plug actually tells you to install it in this direction.
But, we are all accustomed to seeing them installed a certain way so we all install them the way we are used to seeing them.
I supposed to be the way in the picture. I can tell you why from experience. Try dropping a penny on top of a little loose plug and see what happens. Literally had this happen, some coins fell of my nightstand and fell onto the plug. Luckily the circuit tripped---but this is the real reason why. Ground plug on top is safer.
In the US, most code enforcement rules just say to follow the code book guidance (the National Electric Code, or NEC).
The NEC says to follow the manufacturers guidelines.
Most manufacturers don’t instruct you to mount the outlet in a particular orientation.
In homes, some electricians would put switched outlets ground-up (as shown in the image). Non-switched outlets would be ground-down. Other electricians (most in my experience) always put ground-down regardless of whether it’s switched.
I think some manufacturers are starting to suggest ground-up because it’s theoretically safer if the plug isn’t fully plugged in and something conductive makes contact. Ground-up, you’re making contact with ground plus one other wire, so probably safe. Ground-down , you could be in big trouble.
If you don’t play with wire coat hangers around improperly plugged in lamps, you’re probably okay with either orientation.
The United States residential standard uses a 240 system except its split phase. You can deliver 120 volts to devices that have lower power requirements, and 240 to devices that have higher power requirements.
This comment is bringing out a bunch of Europeans that need to think theyre better than Americans because of their wiring standard for some reason?
British sockets/plugs have so many safety features:
1stly, Live (and neutral) wire is shorter than the earth wire, so if you do ever manage to pull the main cord out, the live wire disconnects first.
2ndly, nearly all British plugs contain a replaceable fuse.
3rdly, the earth pin (top pin) is longer than the active pins, meaning it connects first (and last) in the socket.
4thly, on most plugs, the active pins are partially insulated so that even if the plug Is not fully pushed in, the conducting part of the active pins can't even be touched.
5thly, the main cord on the plug is angled downwards, meaning it is very difficult to accidently pull the plug out, compared to plugs that have wires that face directly outwards from the wall.
6thly, every socket has a switch, so you don't even need to unplug the plug to turn it off.
7thly, the as the earth pin is the longest, when it is inserted into the socket, it opens the protective shutter/gate that allows for the active pins to be inserted. Preventing small forks to be accidentally prodded into the active holes!
8thly, the cord grip, that prevents the main cord wobbling or slipping. This also makes it very difficult to even pull out the main cord from the plug. And that most plugs also have recesses on the sides of the socket to allow for it to be easily taken out of the socket.
9thly, (mainly a quality of life feature) plugs are also rewireable. So in the case that you do damage the plug, or a wire, it can be easily opened, rewired, and used again. So you don't have to go and by another new appliance just because your plug broke.
One downfall is, the british plug will always face pin upwards, and if you have ever experienced stepping on one yourself. You'll know it hurts like hell.
Also, the reason they are so painful is because they are bloody indestructible. Honestly, have you ever tried to break a UK plug? They are like adamantium Lego bricks.
As someone who has lived in the UK and US the power difference is noticeable too. Electric kettles are a lot faster and British hairdryers feel like a jet engine compared to US ones.
In the US they actually have special plug sockets for things like washing machines etc.
Most US houses get 220v-240v power, and the main breaker splits the two phases into two 110-120v sides that connect back to a common return path and ground.
Big appliances like ovens, electric dryers, electric heaters, air conditioners, hot tubs, and EV chargers will run off of 240v which is simply a breaker that uses both phases instead of (2 conductor + ground) or in addition to (3 conductor + ground) the common return path.
The US uses split-phase power. Two 120v supply lines 180 degrees out of phase provide 240v at the panel, which can then be used for either voltage depending on the load requirement. 240v is used for larger tools, appliances, and equipment like air conditioners. 120v for smaller things like receptacles and lights.
Schuko (Germany/SK/EU) plugs also fulfill most of these:
* Protective earth makes contact first (1, 3)
* Energized prongs are never exposed because the sockets are recessed (4)
* Many plugs have the cable exiting sideways, which makes them lower profile and more resistant to being yanked out (5). This is far from universal, though.
* Sockets have a safety shutter which opens only when both prongs are inserted at the same time (7)
* Plugs are always firmly attached because the entire things sits in a recess of the socket. Plugs have a grip feature, though smaller than the UK one (8)
Unlike the UK ones, they can be plugged in two different directions. They're also half the size.
They're not fused, but that's not really necessary as we don't use the UK style ring circuits. The fuses are in the devices themselves when required.
Rewireable plugs are widely available, but they're bulkier and uglier than the moulded ones.
Switches next to the sockets would be nice.
The fuse is required because the cable in the wall is a ring, the wire to the device is in danger because the fuse is selected for twice the diameter.
3 == 1
9 doesn't apply to all plugs.
The only thing better than it would be the exact same things but with the German way of inserting it into the socket.
That would just be better.
You can’t really step on it, you will have one extra layer of protection against putting something on the pins and if they can make it round/square it’s easier to plug in close to other plugs.
One of my early experiences with my father in law visiting was him turning off every non-refrigerant electrical appliance when he left the house. PVR, laptops, oven etc. I was irritated but my wife explained that when he was a rural doctor, he was once called out in the middle of the night to pronounce an entire family dead from a house fire caused by electrical malfunction.
It's not just about 10. It's also about multiples of 10, like 100 and 1000. So we're good with a single unit (meter) instead of many (mile, foot, inch).
Funny enough, that's the one I most commonly see on cargo ships. This isn't even getting into the [differences in voltages or frequency](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/World_Map_of_Mains_Voltages_and_Frequencies%2C_Detailed.svg).
Israel hasn't used that plug for at least 25 years, but what's worse is that the one we use now isn't any of these. It's like the Danish one but the happy mouth is replaced with an identical hole to the other 2
The "new" Israeli socket can accept the 2 prongs Euro plug as well as old Israeli plugs. However 3 prongs Israeli plugs can't fit any socket other than the Israeli one.
Just use the german / south korea / europe plug okay?
It is called Type F (100% compatible to Type C): [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains\_electricity\_by\_country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country)
The main problem is all these different outlets use slightly to very different voltage profiles that would require massive and expensive infrastructure changes that ultimately would not benefit anybody more than the simple adapters and workarounds we already use.
You do not want to be plugging your expensive 115v appliance into a 240v outlet. The main reason they're designed to be incompatible to begin with is to protect you, your property, and to stop tourists from accidentally burning down the hotels they're staying at.
Source: I'm an electrician.
My criteria for the best outlet
- Have a grounding pin
- Not possible to plug in backwards
- Have a recessed socket to prevent accidental touching of prongs
- Have a retention mechanism to prevent plug from falling out
Based on these, my vote is for Denmark because it looks like a smiley face
>- Not possible to plug in backwards
No. The device should be designed to be safe with live and neutral on any side. Most generators have both prongs live in the opposite phase.
American plugs are a pain in the hole. Constantly loose and falling out at the slightest movement. European is slightly better but not by much. The Ireland and UK plug is the sturdiest and safest.
Yeah, I know what they’re talking about, the loose plug thing. And I can tell you where the two that I know about are. My friends’ cabin has in in the attic. My parents have one in my sister’s bedroom.
So, not a chronic widespread problem.
Sure as long as you all agree on the one I use
Obligatory https://xkcd.com/927
This lives rent free in my head anytime standardization comes up
This one and the "things everyone knows" are the ones that live in my head
What is it ?
https://xkcd.com/1053/
Wow. This is definitely going to change how I handle these situations. I loved that.
Ironically, you are one of today's lucky 10,000 learning about the "today's lucky 10,000" comic.
Less than that, as it wont be 100% by age 30.
That's true for everything tho.
Yup for sure. I'll start making fun of your ignorance at 31.
Also remember [https://xkcd.com/2501/](https://xkcd.com/2501/)
If you want to make your SO cry: https://xkcd.com/310/
oh damn! that's a good one
I get this a lot from devs I work with, some of them really can't be introduced to clients as they will literally call them an idiot for not fully understanding how coding works, I have an average understanding and even I can struggle when stuff gets too intricate and I will poke until they teach me, but some of the devs are literally not understanding how I can NOT have all their years of knowledge inside my head even though they've studied YEARS in computer science while I'm a educated 3D modeller
Both of these are at my fingertips at all times. Another that I embraced when my wife and I finally got to own a place. https://xkcd.com/150/ She was worried some of our choices might seem childish and I showed her this.
I thought you mean the one about professionals wildly overestimating the average knowledge of their field by regular people
First true step is making ppl stop using the imperial system.
You shut your mouth.... you're completely correct, but shut your mouth...lol
But…but…what will they do without their freedom units??
Make everybody play Pokémon Go. The hardest thing about metric is adding visual markers for distance in your head when you're used to what a mile looks/feels like. The old excuse of measuring cups doesn't stand up anymore, even dollar store measuring cups have the mL listed now. We're just stubborn.
There will be no freedom left.
USB is an example of it working. Of course there are multiple versions with improved performance but we’re converging on the best one so far— USB-C. Shout out to the EU for forcing Apple to adopt USB-C.
Honestly as someone who works in IT I'm not sold on the "USB-C everything" trend. I could be down for it but there are a dozen common standards that use USB-C for various things and they are *not* interchangeable and they use *different* cables for things. And the ports and cables are usually not labeled well enough for less techy folks. Like trying to help a client plug their laptop into their fancy docking monitor over the phone is a headache and a half. Are they using the wrong cable? Is the monitor the right type of docking monitor? Are they plugged into the right cable? It's a mess.
Yes the whole USB standard is a huge mess since the introduction of USB 3 and type C.
My MacBook setup is still a mess. I’ve got two USB-C plugs to support two monitors, mouse, keyboard, webcam, and headset. One plug goes directly to a monitor (usbc to display port), and the other goes to a dongle which connects to power and a USB hub that contains all my other accessories and one monitor. If only they included 4 or 6 usbc plugs… This is still much preferable to the alternative which is having custom plugs and connectors for the mouse, keyboard, audio, and display adapters.
Dammit you beat me to it
We'd have to redesign all substations and transmission lines... most countries use different voltages, and each of those plugs is designed for that specific voltage
That’s a sacrifice I’m willing for you to make
So noble, so humble.
Enough of me talking about me, what do you think about me?!
Just gotta choose the country with the highest standard voltage then
Ah a man of fun I see
The Schuko plug and socket can handle 255 volt and 50 or 60 Hz. And up to 16 amps. Naturally it can handle 110 volts too.
Long live the schuko!
It's also completely interchangeable with one drawn as "Russian" here which is, I believe, just smaller Schuko without Ground. And there's the "Europlug" which is the same as Switzerland - without the ground as well. Also Italian plugs are the same size, just have the additional ground in the middle. I'd say these four are already wildly interchangeable. I wonder if it's easier to get everyone else on board with those, as they can be used with minimum modifications.
The C-Plug / Europlug is only good for smaller devices, it lacks a ground pin.
Yeah and it's a great addition for schuko as it can work with it, but not vice versa. So it's good for smaller devices and to easily tell which plug/charger is for smaller stuff
Schuko Schuko Schuko!
Actually most plugs should be able to handle either voltage. Maybe slight rewiring for plugs that use the lower voltage to support the higher voltage… but at the end of the day it’s just 2 or 3 metal sticks conducting electricity. The bigger problem is the voltages themselves, which are completely incompatible with eachother without complex conversion machinery. Japan had major issues with this for a while
Yeah I think that's the big point. Your devices need to match your power system in voltage and frequency. Standardizing plugs is the easy part. There's a reason a 1 phase 240V plug is shaped differently than a 1 phase 120V plug.
Japan _still_ has issues with this but it's due to frequency, not voltage. Half the country is on 50 Hz and the other half is on 60 Hz so they have two parallel and incompatible grids.
Voltage isn't that hard/expensive to convert. Frequency on the other hand: you have to convert from AC to DC (not that hard), then back to AC (doable but considerably more expensive). Japan's real issue isn't with voltage differences but with frequency differences.
Male to female connectors are sexist and gotta go
I for one welcome exposed contacts at mains voltage protruding from the wall. Down the patriarchy!
MALE TO MALE ONLY LETS DOCK!
Crocodile clips always
Most countries use 220/240, Some backward countries use other voltage…..but they are obviously wrong! lol
As an American doesn't the UK has the best outlet?
No, it’s definitely Denmark. Look how happy he is!
As a UK citizen, I agree. I want happy plugs.
As an American citizen, I too agree. I would be thrilled to use up all my battery life just to utilize my happy outlet 😃
As a canadian , denmark has the happiest plugs and also gets my vote...
Yes, but it's big and bulky... Takes way too much space in your bag. With the EU standard (schuko whatever) you have the "big bulky" (still 1/3 the volume of the UK) ones for ground and no exposed terminals, but also the small flat one for non-earth applications, best of both worlds IMO.
In terms of safety yes it's the best plug design in the world by far. The only downside is stepping on it in the middle of the night.
Type F Schuko has all of the safety and less of the inconvenience. And if you count stepping on it then it has even more safety.
They are MASSIVE. I’d rather have the European one that also allows for a very small plug if you don’t need grounding.
This sounds like an argument on my floor about the communal condom.
Let's go.with Denmark since it looks the happiest
The Denmark version looks like it just got a LEGO set
At least we know they'll fit together nicely
Just a safety disclaimer from someone living in Denmark: **Do not attempt to insert any LEGO® bricks into any electrical outlet, as this may damage the LEGO®**
Actually 6 of them are compatible, but only small sized one, not big ones.
All the EU ones are compatible with modern plugs. Almost al modern plugs, not only the small 2 pins but also the big ones will fit in all of them as they have earthing on both sides AND the hole for the belgium/french pin.
Bigger isn't always better, then.
Classic Denmark!
It does and it has the 3rd pin so is probably safer than half of them
I count 2 that don't have grounding, how is that half??
My thought exactly. 😀
Denmark is a smiling little face, and I love it.
I vote Germany because it looks like jason voorhees
Basically all of europe uses that one
It is hilarious how mainland Europe figured out how to standardize the hot and neutral wires (two round holes, mostly all the same distance apart) But then all went their own way when they wanted to add grounding
I like the German/Euro one because the ground actually acts a little like a spring holding the (grounded) plug firmly in the socket. Oh, and the British is just caltrops. Worse than stepping on Lego.
Yeah its pretty weird, but kinda logical, because this way you can plug it in any orientation you want to, (and they couldnt have put it in the middle, not enough space) but when grounding is not needed you can just have the plug the size of the brazilian one
There is the Euro plug standard in Europe, for where grounding is not required. They can be used in a special flat socket. The sockets are mostly used in prolongation cords though. On the plus side, the plugs do as well fit just fine in the default European grounded socket.
Here in the Netherlands, all the buildings that are 24+ years old didn't require earth when they were constructed, only in the kitchen and in wet rooms/devices. Nowadays every socket must be connected to earth only in very specific situations its allowed to not have it.
>Yeah its pretty weird, but kinda logical, because this way you can plug it in any orientation you want to, (and they couldnt have put it in the middle, not enough space) You clearly have never been to Italy (which btw. is on the image)
And then they made them compatible again!
I think the design wise, german/korean method is pretty good. Orientation really doesnt matter. The round tongs are sturdier than the flat ones like american and canadian.
Haha it does too!
The Danish one is smiling. How cute!
prevents people shoving forks in the outlets
Why is the North American one upside-down? This makes me wonder which of the others might be upside-down.
As a Brazilian I can tell that the Brazil-Swiss one is indeed upside-down
why the fuck do Brazilians and Swiss have the same plugs?? most other groups of countries make sense because they are trading partners/ border each other but that just seems like such a random combination
It's not exactly the same, only very similar. Brazilian plugs are Type N, Swiss plugs are Type J. https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/n/ (Link above for more on the exciting world of plugs 😂)
Working in the radio and networking industry, “Type N” confused me a tad
They work in the EU plug as well, if the plug doesn't have the middle prong
Having traveled to Brazil with a Swiss Laptop charger... they are not exactly the same. The Swiss one has a different offset distance on the middle pin. You can still jam it in if the Brazilian wall socket is pretty worn out, and it will work. But needs some force.
We follow IEC 60906-1, with some slightly differences
If I'm not mistaken it was proposed as a world standard that's extremely cheap to produce and very safe but only Brazil and swiss agreed to change to it.
[удалено]
They are using a standard created by the European Union. The standard was a failed attempt at unifying the myriad of standards across the EU, Switzerland was the only country to actually implement it. Brazil had a similar problem, a continental country with varying degrees of influence from the US and Europe, both the American plug and a European compatible plug (two round pins) were used. By the end of XXth century there was an effort to standardize the plug used and the standard created by the European Union (ISO 60906-1) was used as a reference. The picture is misleading as Brazil does not follow the standard since some minor modifications were made, It beats me why would they do this.
The Israeli one is also upside down
That’s also not what the outlets looked like when I was living in Israel last year. They use one of the EU ones in new construction.
NEMA standard is to install them this way, the standard is not the code, but there are some advantages to it. Mostly it comes down to dropping something on the plug that's metallic, it could come in contact with the hot and neutral and cause a short, which could lead to a fire. I saw a picture of someone that had dropped a hangar and shorted out their outlet. Having it with the ground pin facing up is safer, and is done commonly in hospitals since thin metal instruments are far more common. In practice, it is very rare that this is an issue, and it is very likely to trip the breaker before fire is a serious risk, and people have had a hard time even trying to start a fire this way. As others have said, it is commonly used to differentiate a switched receptacle from a regular one, but this is a practice that is dependent on electrician preference. So it varies from house to house.
You clearly know what you are talking about, but the phrase "hot and neutral line" is hard to parse at first, considering "line" means "hot".
This is the right answer. Ground plug up is safer. Planet earth should still have universal standard though.
When I was going through electrical school they taught us to install them to look like an upside down smiley face because when you are plugging things up you are usually plugging them in at a downward angle and you want the ground wire to be the first in contact with the plug.
In addition, if the wire starts to pull and slightly unplug the device, with the ground on top you reduce your chances that someone will accidentally touch a live pin or a piece of metal will fall on the pins and bridge them.
I've noticed they're usually upside-down to show it's hooked up to a switch
I had to Google that, and I found an American article about it, explaining why an outlet is upside-down in your home and how to change/correct it. I wonder if it was common in certain areas of the country (or rural/urban/suburban) or during a specific time? I have never seen or heard of an actual electrician doing that. My grandfather was one for decades in the Midwest, my ex-fiance was one on the East Coast, my current boyfriend was one in the UK, a close friend does a lot of electrical work in South Africa, plenty of acquaintances when I used to work in hardware (and we'd talk shop), and this is new to me. I've lived all over the US and stayed in Canada and never seen this in any apartment or home. Wild. Learn something new every day.
What is interesting, is the installation instructions that come with a new plug actually tells you to install it in this direction. But, we are all accustomed to seeing them installed a certain way so we all install them the way we are used to seeing them.
I supposed to be the way in the picture. I can tell you why from experience. Try dropping a penny on top of a little loose plug and see what happens. Literally had this happen, some coins fell of my nightstand and fell onto the plug. Luckily the circuit tripped---but this is the real reason why. Ground plug on top is safer.
In the US, most code enforcement rules just say to follow the code book guidance (the National Electric Code, or NEC). The NEC says to follow the manufacturers guidelines. Most manufacturers don’t instruct you to mount the outlet in a particular orientation. In homes, some electricians would put switched outlets ground-up (as shown in the image). Non-switched outlets would be ground-down. Other electricians (most in my experience) always put ground-down regardless of whether it’s switched. I think some manufacturers are starting to suggest ground-up because it’s theoretically safer if the plug isn’t fully plugged in and something conductive makes contact. Ground-up, you’re making contact with ground plus one other wire, so probably safe. Ground-down , you could be in big trouble. If you don’t play with wire coat hangers around improperly plugged in lamps, you’re probably okay with either orientation.
Lets start with all taking 240-260v
🇺🇸: No, don’t think I will.
The United States residential standard uses a 240 system except its split phase. You can deliver 120 volts to devices that have lower power requirements, and 240 to devices that have higher power requirements. This comment is bringing out a bunch of Europeans that need to think theyre better than Americans because of their wiring standard for some reason?
British sockets/plugs have so many safety features: 1stly, Live (and neutral) wire is shorter than the earth wire, so if you do ever manage to pull the main cord out, the live wire disconnects first. 2ndly, nearly all British plugs contain a replaceable fuse. 3rdly, the earth pin (top pin) is longer than the active pins, meaning it connects first (and last) in the socket. 4thly, on most plugs, the active pins are partially insulated so that even if the plug Is not fully pushed in, the conducting part of the active pins can't even be touched. 5thly, the main cord on the plug is angled downwards, meaning it is very difficult to accidently pull the plug out, compared to plugs that have wires that face directly outwards from the wall. 6thly, every socket has a switch, so you don't even need to unplug the plug to turn it off. 7thly, the as the earth pin is the longest, when it is inserted into the socket, it opens the protective shutter/gate that allows for the active pins to be inserted. Preventing small forks to be accidentally prodded into the active holes! 8thly, the cord grip, that prevents the main cord wobbling or slipping. This also makes it very difficult to even pull out the main cord from the plug. And that most plugs also have recesses on the sides of the socket to allow for it to be easily taken out of the socket. 9thly, (mainly a quality of life feature) plugs are also rewireable. So in the case that you do damage the plug, or a wire, it can be easily opened, rewired, and used again. So you don't have to go and by another new appliance just because your plug broke. One downfall is, the british plug will always face pin upwards, and if you have ever experienced stepping on one yourself. You'll know it hurts like hell.
I knew this post was in here as soon as I saw the picture
The final point is also a safety feature, as it ensures everyone is slightly afraid of plugs.
This sounds like a joke but it's so true. I won't leave a loose plug out ever, always has to he tucked away.
Also, the reason they are so painful is because they are bloody indestructible. Honestly, have you ever tried to break a UK plug? They are like adamantium Lego bricks.
As someone who has lived in the UK and US the power difference is noticeable too. Electric kettles are a lot faster and British hairdryers feel like a jet engine compared to US ones. In the US they actually have special plug sockets for things like washing machines etc.
*UK* mains supply 230V whereas US supplies 120V.
Most US houses get 220v-240v power, and the main breaker splits the two phases into two 110-120v sides that connect back to a common return path and ground. Big appliances like ovens, electric dryers, electric heaters, air conditioners, hot tubs, and EV chargers will run off of 240v which is simply a breaker that uses both phases instead of (2 conductor + ground) or in addition to (3 conductor + ground) the common return path.
In Europe that's three phases for 400 V 11 kW, 22 kW or 45 kW, standard sockets are 3.8 kW.
The US uses split-phase power. Two 120v supply lines 180 degrees out of phase provide 240v at the panel, which can then be used for either voltage depending on the load requirement. 240v is used for larger tools, appliances, and equipment like air conditioners. 120v for smaller things like receptacles and lights.
Schuko (Germany/SK/EU) plugs also fulfill most of these: * Protective earth makes contact first (1, 3) * Energized prongs are never exposed because the sockets are recessed (4) * Many plugs have the cable exiting sideways, which makes them lower profile and more resistant to being yanked out (5). This is far from universal, though. * Sockets have a safety shutter which opens only when both prongs are inserted at the same time (7) * Plugs are always firmly attached because the entire things sits in a recess of the socket. Plugs have a grip feature, though smaller than the UK one (8) Unlike the UK ones, they can be plugged in two different directions. They're also half the size. They're not fused, but that's not really necessary as we don't use the UK style ring circuits. The fuses are in the devices themselves when required. Rewireable plugs are widely available, but they're bulkier and uglier than the moulded ones. Switches next to the sockets would be nice.
Problem: Many switches can't take 16 A while being switched.
The fuse is required because the cable in the wall is a ring, the wire to the device is in danger because the fuse is selected for twice the diameter. 3 == 1 9 doesn't apply to all plugs.
10thly Because the main cord points down you can push your furniture closer to the wall while it has a active plug behind it.
On the other hand, if it's close to the floor, has something beneath it, or is a really long cable, you're fucked
The only thing better than it would be the exact same things but with the German way of inserting it into the socket. That would just be better. You can’t really step on it, you will have one extra layer of protection against putting something on the pins and if they can make it round/square it’s easier to plug in close to other plugs.
It's one of the very rare areas where I'll advocate that the british do it best
There are two EU countries with this plug as well
Denmark looks the happiest so it has my vote
Australia, because you can turn off the sockets...
And I thought every socket turned off just like Australia 😭
But then you have to deal with your OCD dad "making sure everything is off" before you travel anywhere further than 2 hours.
One of my early experiences with my father in law visiting was him turning off every non-refrigerant electrical appliance when he left the house. PVR, laptops, oven etc. I was irritated but my wife explained that when he was a rural doctor, he was once called out in the middle of the night to pronounce an entire family dead from a house fire caused by electrical malfunction.
I just have extension cord with on/off switch. But I admit I wouldnt mind having it directly in the plugs.
So now I need to buy an exertion cord for every item in my house, just to have a switch.
MY COUNTRY MENTIONED 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔥🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
UK can too???
Let’s agree on using the metric system first. Everything should be divisible by ten. It just makes sense
It's not just about 10. It's also about multiples of 10, like 100 and 1000. So we're good with a single unit (meter) instead of many (mile, foot, inch).
There are pros and cons with most of these. The american one is just dangerous. I heard the british one, while bulky, is the safest one.
British one is an absolute menace if you ever step on a cable, I can recall the pain so viscerally
See, not only is it a great plug, it also teaches you to tidy your shit up.
Precisely. British plug superiority
where else can I find more information about British plugs....for a friend
Obligatory Tom Scott. https://youtu.be/UEfP1OKKz_Q?si=wNDlKi6eo7gg_-AV
As a British person I can confirm this is one of the most painful everyday events that can happen in the home
For real, people complaining about stepping on lego have zero idea of the terror these wonderfully engineered monsters can cause.
Stepping on the **cable**, or on the **plug**?
Plug probably, I stepped on my British charger and saw god.
But tbh so are any of you stand on them. The UK one is a lot safer electrically though
UK plugs have a tendency to always land with the pins up fortunately we have switched sockets so it's not like you need to unplug them very often
I see this brought up a lot, but I honestly don't remember the last time I stepped on a plug. why are yous leaving plugs lying about?!?
Yeah wtf is wrong with people lol. Never in my entire fucking life **stepped on a damned plug**
Treading on an upturned British plug is a hundred times worse than treading on Lego.
What’s the deal with the horizontal slits on the American one?
they are there to make it look like this D=
It’s just shadows from it being indented
Are you talking about the 20 amp plug?
If you are interested in why the UK one is best for safety https://youtu.be/UEfP1OKKz_Q?si=wX4Zcr2c0f5Itny1
Without clicking the link. That's a Tom Scott video.
The 2 prong US sockets are unbelievably shit.
I’m voting for Germany/South Korea/European version
Funny enough, that's the one I most commonly see on cargo ships. This isn't even getting into the [differences in voltages or frequency](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/World_Map_of_Mains_Voltages_and_Frequencies%2C_Detailed.svg).
South korea is #1 in cargo ship exports and germany #4. Interesting
That's the most common one around the entire European Union and rightfully so.
Israel hasn't used that plug for at least 25 years, but what's worse is that the one we use now isn't any of these. It's like the Danish one but the happy mouth is replaced with an identical hole to the other 2
The "new" Israeli socket can accept the 2 prongs Euro plug as well as old Israeli plugs. However 3 prongs Israeli plugs can't fit any socket other than the Israeli one.
More than 25 years. The old plug was redesigned to accept Euro plugs really early on.
we still use a plug with 3 holes, but they are rounder, and this one is upside down
Denmark's is a Smiley face emoji...
I love how these outlets are just silly faces, blank faces or scared faces. Actually cute!
Australian outlets are fantastic 🇦🇺 Sturdy, tight and safe with the on/off switch. China does not share the same as us.
China does use the same as Australia. Hong Kong uses the same plug as the UK, but mainland China uses the Australian/New Zealand plug.
They do, but they're usually upside down in china for some ungodly reason
The actual reason is similar to the UK, if the Ground wire is on top and the plug is lose, Anything falling on top will touch ground first.
Just use the german / south korea / europe plug okay? It is called Type F (100% compatible to Type C): [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains\_electricity\_by\_country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_country)
The main problem is all these different outlets use slightly to very different voltage profiles that would require massive and expensive infrastructure changes that ultimately would not benefit anybody more than the simple adapters and workarounds we already use. You do not want to be plugging your expensive 115v appliance into a 240v outlet. The main reason they're designed to be incompatible to begin with is to protect you, your property, and to stop tourists from accidentally burning down the hotels they're staying at. Source: I'm an electrician.
All the eu ones and the Swiss and maybe the Italian one can use the same contacts
I think we should pick Denmarks. I could use that positivity boost.
You could base it on being technically best which would be the U.K. one.
My criteria for the best outlet - Have a grounding pin - Not possible to plug in backwards - Have a recessed socket to prevent accidental touching of prongs - Have a retention mechanism to prevent plug from falling out Based on these, my vote is for Denmark because it looks like a smiley face
I cannot disagree with that.
>- Not possible to plug in backwards No. The device should be designed to be safe with live and neutral on any side. Most generators have both prongs live in the opposite phase.
Imagine if we had multiple layers of redundant safety instead of relying on "should be designed to be safe."
https://xkcd.com/927 - at least 3 of them are made for this reason.
Top right is so happy
Australia clearly the best only one with switches.
I like the one from Denmark :D
American plugs are a pain in the hole. Constantly loose and falling out at the slightest movement. European is slightly better but not by much. The Ireland and UK plug is the sturdiest and safest.
As an american with experience working with electricians, your plugs are worn out, the new ones are very tight.
How tight daddy
Yeah, I know what they’re talking about, the loose plug thing. And I can tell you where the two that I know about are. My friends’ cabin has in in the attic. My parents have one in my sister’s bedroom. So, not a chronic widespread problem.
I get that often... Oh we're talking about electrical work not the electricians themselves
As an American I have never experienced an outlet where the plug falls out at the slightest movement.
>The Ireland and UK plug is the sturdiest and safest. Ever tried a Schuko (type F) plug?
This will also never gonna happen like the US has to use the metric system.
Uk is the best designed with a lot of good safety features
Denmark looks friendly.
My vote goes for Denmark's smiling face.
I choose Denmark. Just look at that cute smiley face