What is the best Power Outlet, and why?
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All outlets should just be replaced with IEC C13. Robust and compact.
Solid choice. Good current handling, already ubiquitous for many applications.
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https://worldofsockets.comWell the answer is obviously the UK plug some of those others are just plain bad. The question is are they all made largely obsolete by USB C ? and is that the closest we are likely to get to a universal plug and socket?
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Wait what? you don't have plugs in your bathroom?
It's to encourage extension cord use
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Solar Microinverters
why should those plug into a normal outlet regularly? wouldn't that be a measure polarity and just leave it alone device?
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That's a lamp in theory, but do you know of any actual lamps being sold where this matters?
in the US it's fairly common, so probably some American manufacturers would do it that way
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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
Bi-directional is a double-edged feature.
It means that there is no reliable way of identifying line and neutral wire, which requires more complex double switches downstream.
Also, F is unnecessarily clunky and big and hard to make a weather-proof version of because of the complex shape.
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https://worldofsockets.comType-A is theoretically the easiest and cheapest thing to manufacture the male end of.
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https://worldofsockets.com -
Well the answer is obviously the UK plug some of those others are just plain bad. The question is are they all made largely obsolete by USB C ? and is that the closest we are likely to get to a universal plug and socket?
The eu has actually been trying for about 30 years has been trying to get universal plug but it keeps getting stopped by massive tech companies because money go up
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https://worldofsockets.comI'll fetch the popcorn.
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https://worldofsockets.comwrote last edited by [email protected]My favourite is this one, it makes things go brrrrrr.
Couldn't find a good photo of the socket online, only the plug. Cba to go take a photo of the socket right now, but I do have it at home and it's fully functional.
Edit: Searching in Estonian yielded results for the socket too. Someone was auctioning a set 7 years ago.
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The UK plug is nice. Very robust, it connects to ground before it reaches the power line and has a switch but it's clunky.
I only use those as a tourist, but the plugs tend to fall out of the outlet constantly, especially if the plug is not just on a wire but has some usb-c adapter or such integrated.
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I'll fetch the popcorn.
I got the beer. Thankfully it’s an universal plug
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Well the answer is obviously the UK plug some of those others are just plain bad. The question is are they all made largely obsolete by USB C ? and is that the closest we are likely to get to a universal plug and socket?
Wait, China uses the AU plug?
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https://worldofsockets.comThe UK plug is over engineered and looks like something from a steampunk universe, but I think it’s the best plug overall.
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The UK plug is over engineered and looks like something from a steampunk universe, but I think it’s the best plug overall.
It's got the fuse right there, which is a bit weird but why not.
We have the same in Ireland. They could've put the flag in their graph. -
Still trying to figure out why Germany is listed separately from the EU.
Yeah, I think they just wanted to illustrate the variety within Europe.
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I have a strong preference for the German and Swiss types, but I think we can all agree that Japan massively fucked up. They took the already shitty American plug and just forgot about the ground.
Japan also has 2 incompatible power grids, with the north running on 50Hz and the south running on 60Hz
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Well the answer is obviously the UK plug some of those others are just plain bad. The question is are they all made largely obsolete by USB C ? and is that the closest we are likely to get to a universal plug and socket?
You going to put 240VAC through USB-C?
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The breakers aren't on the actual outlets. We just have everything on breakers in the power box. So I think the Australian system is good, but it's not inherently because of the outlets. Other types have the same safety benefits.
Also to add: all lighting and power circuits are required to be on RCBO's or breaker+RCD unless they are extremely old switchboards that havent had any modifications done since the law was introduced (as modifying the switchboard would trigger an rewuired upgrade in most cases).
Any device that is in a common area that can be touched by a non-licenced person (ie non-electrician) should also be on a RCBO, but this isnt as well enforced.So even if you do manage to youch live parts on the Aus socket/plugs, you will be protected by the RCD/RCBO instantly.
The downside to the Aus socket is that it can be a little tricky/annoying plugging something in when you are reaching behind an object (like a couch or cupboard) and cant see the socket to line it up.