What is the best Power Outlet, and why?
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The main problem with type I (and a few others) is that it's not recessed. If it comes loose a bit, you still have the problem of exposed live pins.
Pins are insulated since 2003.
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In my opinion it's Type-F
Because:
- It's bi-directional
- It's grounded and ungrounded plugs use the same socket
- It's already widespread (50+ countries) source
- Your fingers can't touch the live wire as you're plugging in a wire
- It's recessed
- Low footprint
- Accepts Type-C
It's bi-directional
That's bad.
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does type A just have no ground?
Yup. Japan also has grounded outlets, though, although they are comparatively rarer.
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A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comType N might not be the best but it was like a gift from heavens here in Brazil. We had no standard before it so most outlets would take one or two unsafe options; most houses would not ground their outlets, people would yank out the ground pin from plugs to make them fit; washing machines would often come with a completely different plug that some houses would just have a different outlet for, while others would use adapters. And so many other issues.
Nowadays you don't even need to see what you're doing because you can just stick your hand into outlets to feel where it is and insert the plug blindly without any risk.
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does type A just have no ground?
I see the left side of just slightly bigger than the right, so I expect one of those sides to be the ground
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I see the left side of just slightly bigger than the right, so I expect one of those sides to be the ground
You'd think so, but the ground will either be at the bottom of the outlet, requiring a separate cable, or Type-B.
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A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comThe weird fucky version of type B they use in Thailand is missing. It's like the fucky version of the type L that's displayed except the fuckyness was added to a different base type.
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The British one. It has a switch and a fuse, and later versions have age-verification so your kids can no longer plug in your adult toys.
Hey now, let's not give BSI and NESO any ideas mate.
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A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comEpstein Files
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C is mostly for low power devices
F is basically a heavy duty upgrade of C, it's got grounding on the side and can handle 16A (ovens, heaters etc.)
Don't you get numpties plugging F appliances into C sockets then complaining to customer service that the induction stovetop doesn't boil water for tea fast enough?
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Does this account for injuries from stepping on them?
Why would you step on them?
You can just turn them off at the socket. And if you need extra sockets, just buy an extension.
Literally zero reason to leave a plug lying on the ground.
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A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comF because its the most stabdardized, G because its the safest
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You'd think so, but the ground will either be at the bottom of the outlet, requiring a separate cable, or Type-B.
Where? That is the most scuffed ground ive ever seen
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Don't you get numpties plugging F appliances into C sockets then complaining to customer service that the induction stovetop doesn't boil water for tea fast enough?
You cant the plug is thicker
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Don't you get numpties plugging F appliances into C sockets then complaining to customer service that the induction stovetop doesn't boil water for tea fast enough?
no, because it'll just trip fuse, and stoves are wired directly anyway
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A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comRanked by happiness: Type K
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A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comJapan and Taiwan are the same plug but they use 100V and we are 110V.
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It's bi-directional
That's bad.
Why? It doesn't make any difference with AC
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I see the left side of just slightly bigger than the right, so I expect one of those sides to be the ground
Nope, just live and neutral.
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A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.comI like the USA type-A plug. That's probably not a popular answer since I see lots of comments about safety features in the other plugs, but my focus is on convenience.
The plugs are small, making it much easier to design folding-plug devices like this one. It also means that cords don't have a bulky knob on the end, and splitters and power strips can be smaller than other plugs - much smaller than Schuko type-C or UK type-G.
The most common objection is that it's possible for live pins to be exposed when a device is partially plugged in. That's true, and most people who grew up around them has been shocked that way once. Few have been shocked twice, as the lesson to be careful with electricity usually forms a lasting memory.
