What is the best Power Outlet, and why?
-
No, not even close.
Well, the amount of differences isn't really that huge.
Unlike told in the video, if you pull the continental European plug out enough to be able to touch the pins, it's no longer connected. That safety feature exists in plugs of type J, F, E, K, and, I think, L. Plus, I'd guess N.Also the slack in ground should exist in all sockets with grounding, as well. (I have never checked if they really do, though...)
So, the only real safety differences are:
-
While it is indeed a bit difficult for a child to insert a pencil or similar into the plugs of type C-contemporary, because there are usually kind of covers that require some strength to push through, the feature where the ground pin pushes the other holes open is a much better solution
-
The fuse can save you in case that there's a short-circuit that causes the appliance itself to catch fire without tripping the central fuse. The British standards enables each appliance to have a fuse only as big as the maximum that appliance might ever need in normal operation, so that if it ever tries using more current than designed, the fuse will blow and a danger gets averted.
This means: one of the listed safety features is partially implemented, another one can save you from a fire in a fringe case, and the rest of the features exist at least in types E, F and K.
Type K, BTW would allow for the same kind of shutters for the live holes as in the type G plug in the video. I wonder if that's implemented? I hope it is!
-
-
A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comThis is the most definitive argument that type J is superior to all others:
Image showing an arrangement of 3 swiss plugs in the same footprint as one french one
-
A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comsafety-wise, type F is used with 240v. less likely to touch prongs. they are different to keep from plugging in incompatible devices from other systems.
-
A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comWhich ever outlet that allows me to stick a fork in them.
-
Most of the time yes, but the pin in type E will not cause some chargers to be fit
of the time yes, but the pin in type E will not cause some chargers to
I haven't seen a plug here in Finland, where all sockets are of type F, that would not have a hole for the ground pin of type E in case that I want to travel to France or Belgium and use the device there. Where have you found a device whose plug doesn't fit in type E socket?!
-
and the one drawback of the loose plug is painful to step on is easily solved by... having a freaking switch on each outlet so you can keep them plugged in.
In that case you need a VERY long cable for the device, though, if you ever want to travel anywhere with it!
-
A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comLike Type A's simplicity
-
What sort of devices
Solar Microinverters
-
A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comSwiss Type J, because you can have three of them, taking up no more space than one German or French plug.
-
I would argue that neither of the plugs shown in the picture nor those mentioned by others are the best.
Ignoring current adoption, I think that IEC 60906-1 is the best plug. It is very similar to the Swiss plug and was intended to, at least in the EU, replace other plugs. It has quite a few advantages over the other plugs. It is rated at 16 A, has a compact form factor, is polarised, and has almost all the common protections except fuses (which are pretty much useless anyway). Currently it only is used in South Africa without major changes to the plug.
Compared to the Schuko (Type F):
- Much smaller. You can fit three plugs in the same space as a single Schuko plug (similar to Swiss triple outlets).
- It takes less force to plug in. Above 2.5A, Schuko plugs require a lot of force to plug in and pull out. To some extent, this is actually good for safety, but I would argue that, in the case of Schuko plugs at least, it's too much
- It is also easier to plug in without seeing the plug since it isn't round. Everyone who has tried to plug in a Schuko plug without seeing the holes knows how difficult it is
- It's polarised/directional. In some very specific cases, there is a security advantage to using a polarised plug, but I think it's also a hassle to only be able to plug in a plug one direction.
It also fits Europlugs (the thin, small plugs with only two pins that are very common in Europe, e.g. on phone chargers)
Compared to (Typ G)):
- Wayyy smaller
- Not a stepping hazard
- Rated for 16A (instead of 13 A)
- No Fuse (Again, pretty unecessary)
Regarding three-phase power, I would argue that Swiss type 15 (10A) and type 25 (16A) plugs are the best. These are really cool because while beeing the same size as Schuko (Typ F) plugs, they can transfer three-phase power (so 11 kW; 230 V / 16A on all three phases). They also fit standard Swiss single-phase and Euro plugs. This makes plugging in large appliances like electric stoves much easier than in other countries.
I would find it quite cool if most countries switched to one common plug, and I think IEC 60906-1 would be best for that. It would also be possible to build hybrid sockets for many common plugs during the transition phase.
Look at the lengths the EU is going through trying to make it seem as it didn't reluctantly recognise the superiority of the Swiss plug and adopting it
-
Schuko (Type F) of course. The British plug (Type G) is a truly worthy adversary.
Schuko takes way too much space.
-
The Europlug is designed to be compatible with [Types C, E, F, and K]
Which is just a Swiss plug.
-
This diagram doesn’t do the utter goofiness of type M justice.
Here are a few styles you will come across.
Ridiculously oversized
-
G.
The plugs are shuttered, so they're protected from being stabby-stabbed. The plug's prongs are sheathed so live metal is never exposed, negating the need for recessed sockets. Compared to recessed plugs, it takes less force to insert/remove them, but the oversized prongs and their triangular arrangement means it can safely withstand more lateral stress than any other plugs. Every plug has a fuse appropriate to the appliance so every device has appropriate protection while also allowing any device to be used on any outlet - no need for dedicated outlets for tumble dryers. And the plugs are traditionally right-angled, so once they're plugged in they only protrude about a centimeter, making it easy to plug things in behind furniture.
The whole 'every plug has a switch' thing is bullshit, though. That's just weird.
Ask any foot doctor, type G have injured a lot more people than type F have.
-
of the time yes, but the pin in type E will not cause some chargers to
I haven't seen a plug here in Finland, where all sockets are of type F, that would not have a hole for the ground pin of type E in case that I want to travel to France or Belgium and use the device there. Where have you found a device whose plug doesn't fit in type E socket?!
A lot of phone chargers etc that aren't grounded and some are slightly to thick to fit in type E
-
Well, the amount of differences isn't really that huge.
Unlike told in the video, if you pull the continental European plug out enough to be able to touch the pins, it's no longer connected. That safety feature exists in plugs of type J, F, E, K, and, I think, L. Plus, I'd guess N.Also the slack in ground should exist in all sockets with grounding, as well. (I have never checked if they really do, though...)
So, the only real safety differences are:
-
While it is indeed a bit difficult for a child to insert a pencil or similar into the plugs of type C-contemporary, because there are usually kind of covers that require some strength to push through, the feature where the ground pin pushes the other holes open is a much better solution
-
The fuse can save you in case that there's a short-circuit that causes the appliance itself to catch fire without tripping the central fuse. The British standards enables each appliance to have a fuse only as big as the maximum that appliance might ever need in normal operation, so that if it ever tries using more current than designed, the fuse will blow and a danger gets averted.
This means: one of the listed safety features is partially implemented, another one can save you from a fire in a fringe case, and the rest of the features exist at least in types E, F and K.
Type K, BTW would allow for the same kind of shutters for the live holes as in the type G plug in the video. I wonder if that's implemented? I hope it is!
Modern installations are supposed to have overcurrent and ground fault protection on all branches, so the fuse is somewhat useless and you have an extra protection against electrocution.
Most European receptacles only accept a plug if both prongs are pressed in at the same time, so children can't get electrocuted without being exceptionally clever
-
-
A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comIts India
Because its easy to use. -
What's the difference of C and F type?
wrote last edited by [email protected]The type-C shown in the picture is also not the only form it has and maybe partly misleading, the plug usually is significantly smaller and flat, and power strips can feature multiple of those in less space.
-
A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comType I.
ElectroBoom (Youtube) made some points about Australia's Type I. Seems it was very hard for him to electrocute himself. Lots of breakers on the outlets. I mean he did electrocute himself, but he was always going to.
-
Type I
Earth pin doesn't cause the plug to murder your feet like the UK plug.
Angled pins to prevent cross polarisation.
Localised power switch per socket so you can turn something on or off with your toe and not bend down to unplug it.
Looks like a ghost face and when in the double gang formation the switches when on looks like the plate is high.
I'm a G guy at heart but use I now. My main issue is how easily the pins can bend.
