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618
619

Denmark is the clear winner (imgur.com)

submitted ago by PlasticPals

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[–]PatFight 74 points75 points ago

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..and the North American twins are not happy about it.

[–]gerwalking 24 points25 points ago

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At least they're not crying about it like China and Australia.

[–]Pantz_Party 40 points41 points ago

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That's our normal eyes.

[–]alreadytakenusername 2 points3 points ago*

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China: Scary movie mask

US: Shocked

[–]stop___grammar_time 3 points4 points ago

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I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thought that.

[–]a_can_of_solo 15 points16 points ago

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/   \

  |

[–]dfith 7 points8 points ago*

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imperial scout trooper.

Edit: Stormtrooper to imperial scout trooper (Episode VI)

[–]Hoobleton 3 points4 points ago

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I love that helmet so much.

[–]Dreadgoat 10 points11 points ago

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North America, FUCK YEAH! Standardized outlets across the motherfuckin' continent!

[–]RedAero 5 points6 points ago

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FYI,there is a plug(called the Europlug) that's standard on pretty much everything nowadays, which can be plugged into every EU outlet(with the exception of the British one). If you look closely, you can see that all the EU outlets have two circular holes for prongs an identical distance apart. The main difference between them is the location of the ground.

[–]btxtsf 2 points3 points ago

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...same with Australia

[–]1brightdayinthenight 3 points4 points ago

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Seriously, it sucks so much that there wasn't more standardization across Europe when electricity was being installed. Sure, there were all these "nationality" problems, and people wanted to do what they wanted. But still, did no one think, "you know, someday, it may be possible that there may be some sort of travel between these countries, or the power connections may even cross national lines." Would've saved a lot of problems in the future.

[–]arglebargle_IV 1 point2 points ago

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They're watching you. They aren't happy.

[–]Juus 58 points59 points ago

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Whoa, 22 years in Denmark, and i had to go to reddit, to realize that my power outlets are smiling to me.

[–]yuno10 25 points26 points ago

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Yet, I'm told you slam steel bars in that cute thing's eyes and mouth ಠ_ಠ

[–]rasputine 10 points11 points ago

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Not the first time I've heard that, amirite?

[–]assholebiker 1 point2 points ago

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Relevant

[–]dfith 0 points1 point ago

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If only you had realized two days ago instead

[–]syphilis_tsunami 13 points14 points ago*

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Wait, Japan doesn't use a 3rd grounding prong on their outlets? That means there isn't any safety grounding for a short between the line and a metallic enclosure.

EDIT:

The majority of respondents don't seem to know what they are talking about. In NA there are 3 prongs in an outlet: 2 prongs for the line/return (sometimes the plug is indexed, not always and not necessary) and 1 prong for grounding. The major purpose of the grounding prong is to provide a secondary, non-current carrying path (under normal conditions) to the house grounding (typically water pipes). The neutral (return) is connected to the house ground in the same manner. In a case where you have a fault between the line and a metallic enclosure (such as a metal toaster), the ground prong connection is used to carry current back to the main breaker panel. Typically this current will be high enough that the breaker will trip. If little Lucy is touching the toaster when this happens, she should be fine because her feet and hands would be at pretty close to the same potential. If that ground connection is broken, the story will have a different ending.

Also looks like Russia is missing the ground pin as well.

[–]tineyeit 12 points13 points ago

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Not all American plugs have the third prong.

Things like my Power Supply and Monitor do, but other objects like my clock don't.

[–]Spithead 7 points8 points ago

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That's true with regards to plugs, but I've never seen an outlet without a third grounding slot.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points ago

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I can take a picture of a few in my house and show them to you if you want. I own several of these.

Oh and if you need some, they're 2 dollars cheaper at Wal-Mart.

[–]itsbearnotbar 2 points3 points ago*

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I hope for your sake you are actually tying into ground while using those 3 to 2 adapters. It is very unsafe to float a 3rd pin ground. It is possible to electrify the chassis of the device of there is a short.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheater_plug

*edit: added cheater plug wiki link

[–]alphanovember 0 points1 point ago

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By tie you mean insert a screw through the whole and use that same screw to secure the outlet plastic cover, right?

[–]itsbearnotbar 0 points1 point ago

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Only if your coverplate screw is grounded. It is best to Get a GFCI outlet in this situation.

[–]exmotreesguns 1 point2 points ago

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Old houses are this way. Like 1960's homes.

[–]exmotreesguns 1 point2 points ago

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In 1969 Underwriters Laboratories mandated three-prong plugs on small appliances for safety.[6] At that time, only half of the receptacles in U.S. homes were three-prong

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheater_plug

So fuck you to whoever voted my other comment down..

[–]itsbearnotbar 0 points1 point ago

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They've been depreciated since the 60s in North America. You still see them around, but it's best to replace them with GFCIs.

[–]syphilis_tsunami 0 points1 point ago

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The third prong is for metallic enclosures. Not your plastic alarm clock.

[–]YelloJuso 4 points5 points ago

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A lot of newer houses have the North American style three prongs and you could easily convert the two prongs into three prongs anyways. Or you have this and have a line for the ground instead.

[–]Vik1ng 1 point2 points ago*

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Wait, Japan doesn't use a 3rd grounding prong on their outlets?

Am I blid or has nobody posted the answer to this yet?

They have a grounding "pin"! If you look closer there a metal pins at the top/bottom, which are the grounding pins, the advantage of this system is that you can plug it in upside down as it doesn't matter if you flip the two prongs (?) in the middle. That's why I actually consider this as the best system.

Edit: Mixed up Japan and South Korea ... fail

[–]ExceedinglyEdible 1 point2 points ago

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Plastic everywhere, plus double insulation.

[–][deleted] ago*

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[deleted]

[–]Shagomir 0 points1 point ago

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This is where one prong is slightly larger than the other, so there is only one orientation for the plug to connect to the socket, right?

[–]itsbearnotbar 0 points1 point ago

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Yes, indexed means one blade of the plug (hot) is larger than the other(neutral).

But I found some iffy info in my original post after I researched a bit, so I deleted it.

It seems metal enclosures do require an isolated ground pin. They can't just tie to neutral. That would be what is called a Bootleg Ground, which can be unsafe.

We still don't have an answer to the question:

What do Japanese metal enclosure appliances do for a chassis ground?

[–]syphilis_tsunami 0 points1 point ago

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What do Japanese metal enclosure appliances do for a chassis ground?

This is exactly what I'm asking.

I would prefer a fellow electrical engineer or electrician to answer. Not a layman trying to give me an flawed answer and passing it off as a fact. Sorry that it comes off as rude, I understand people are trying to be helpful but the majority of responses I've gotten indicates they don't know what they're talking about.

Maybe this is one for askscience?

load more comments (14 replies)

    [–]TheGrogsMachine 9 points10 points ago

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    UK is the clear winner on the pain front. Stepping on a plug can cause paralysis...

    [–]Bir83 3 points4 points ago

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    Those motherfuckers are pure evil. 10 times worse than stepping on Lego!

    [–]MEaster 1 point2 points ago

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    At least you'll always make sure never to leave them where they can be stepped on.

    [–]Bexftk 12 points13 points ago

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    Of course Russians don't need a ground.

    [–]rush22 10 points11 points ago

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    In Soviet Russia, plug grounds you!

    [–]Blakrat 2 points3 points ago

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    But after that much Vodka you HAVE to hold onto something!

    [–]RedAero 1 point2 points ago

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    You lick your finger and hold on.

    [–]Blakrat 33 points34 points ago

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    How does the rest of the world turn your power point on without a switch? (Aussie here) or are the switches just not in the photo?

    [–]killmore231[!] 35 points36 points ago

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    Most of the outlets I have seen always have power even if something is unplugged. Sometimes they have a switch on the wall next to the light switch that turns them on and off. When we need something turned off we just unplug them. EDIT: USA here

    [–]Blakrat 3 points4 points ago

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    To me this seems like a waste of power as well as possibly dangerous, so any kid can walk up, jam a knife in and proceed to be BBQ'd?

    [–]killmore231[!] 70 points71 points ago*

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    No power is wasted if there is no load applied to it. If something is plugged in, then they are called "Energy vampires". And yes that is possible, but newer outlets have a circuit breaker inside each one that senses if a short circuit is created (e.g. a fork wielding child, or dropping something into water) and almost instantly shut off, with little to no injury. Source. Older outlets only have one "hot" wire that touching makes the path to ground you and have no protection so yes you would get shocked. They make these to help prevent this problem. Are yours not able to do the same thing, just put a piece of metal and just hit the switch? edit:In Australia, they have been mandatory in all new houses since 1991 on all power and lighting circuits. Looks like the houses have the safety device built in rather than on just outlets. "But I am liking the jamming imagery...and the killing."

    [–]wezugium 2 points3 points ago

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    The situation in Australia varies by state. My house, built in 2000, has an RCD on the power circuit but not the light circuit. But I believe that has now changed and they're now required on the lights as well.

    [–]cboogie 0 points1 point ago

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    How much do those Australian outlets cost? A North American outlet and wall plate individually cost less than $1.50. And that is not even if you buy them in bulk. If you are building something $1.50/unit vs. $3.00/unit is huge.

    [–]killmore231[!] 0 points1 point ago

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    Pretty sure from that article that the protection isn't built into the outlet itself, but somewhere, probably right after the circuit breaker, so that the whole system is protected not just the outlet.

    load more comments (3 replies)

      [–]Spankth 11 points12 points ago

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      In the UK as well as having switches, the lower two pin holes are blocked off inside, they will only open as the top (earth) pin is pushed in.

      [–]cIumsythumbs 14 points15 points ago

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      IDK about waste of power, but yes, a kid could go fry themselves. So we use these.

      [–][deleted] 14 points15 points ago

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      What's stopping a kid from hitting the switch and then jamming a fork into the outlet?

      [–]REXXT 9 points10 points ago

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      Natural selection. Also it's only 120VAC, it'll tickle a little, but it's usually nothing to worry about.

      [–]pnilz 3 points4 points ago

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      only 120VAC

      yeah, and like 20A, your heart stops at 0.05A.

      [–]PostalPenguin 2 points3 points ago

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      Interestingly every time I have electrocuted myself on household current, my immediate muscle reaction(either by reflex or the current itself) was to yank my hand away.

      [–]mindkilla123 1 point2 points ago

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      US also has 120VAC

      [–]sumebrius 1 point2 points ago

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      Actually, we use 240 Volts.

      And from someone who's accidentally taken 240 V, it does a little bit more than tickle.

      load more comments (8 replies)

        [–][deleted] ago*

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        [deleted]

        [–]clrs 4 points5 points ago

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        Denmark here. I once put two graphite pencils into a plug and put my thumb on each end. It was scary.

        [–][deleted] ago

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        [deleted]

        [–]rasputine 3 points4 points ago

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        Clearly he is extremely curious and motivated. I'm not confused that he can dress himself, I am however confused that he does so without trying to set them on fire first.

        [–]Sopps 0 points1 point ago

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        next time

        [–]gizza 1 point2 points ago

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        The device that is plugged into which still isn't wasting power because it has been turned off at the power point.

        [–]Blakrat 0 points1 point ago

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        absolutely nothing, and i agree the system isnt perfect, but to have a nother step between the kid and BBQ certainly would help. Human error and fault definately comes in, but there is still the same safety switch system in place as a backup as well.

        [–]PostalPenguin 1 point2 points ago

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        I am not sure if you have kids or not but a simple switch above the outlet wouldn't do a damn thing and wouldn't provide any extra protection. The first thing any curious kid would do is watch you press the switch then stick a plug into the outlet. Then they'd imitate that with a fork or whatever in a matter of seconds.

        A switch out of the reach of children along with GFCI protection is far better than any switch that is in easy reach of children.

        [–]Themingemac 1 point2 points ago

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        That won't happen, our kids aren't retards.

        [–]Jigsus 1 point2 points ago

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        To me this seems like a waste of power

        Aussie science. Golden.

        [–]PeeBagger -4 points-3 points ago

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        waste of power

        Are you fucking kidding me? Do you think the power just leaks out on the floor into a puddle? Did you not pay attention in 3rd grade science class, or do you criminals in Aus not bother with school anymore?

        [–]crackanape 2 points3 points ago

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        Are you fucking kidding me? Do you think the power just leaks out on the floor into a puddle? Did you not pay attention in 3rd grade science class, or do you criminals in Aus not bother with school anymore?

        The power does leak out. Anything without a hard physical power switch is wasting power all the time while it's plugged in... and even then sometimes. Our clothes washer has a hard switch but still consumes a few watts for God knows what purpose unless we unplug it.

        I just moved from a country with switches on the outlets to one without, and it's infuriating. I see the bill getting run up for no reason — to keep a microwave oven flashing 00:00, to make my TV turn on 3 seconds faster, to keep my phone charger warm.

        Unplugging these things all the time would put stress on the plug, wire, and outlet, shortening their lives. Instead, I've had to spend €5 per outlet to install aftermarket switches where they would have cost €1 per outlet if they were built in in the first place.

        [–]Blakrat 9 points10 points ago

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        Power puddles?! Oh how fun!

        No. I understand that when nothing is plugged in power is not being consumed

        In terms of items that are left on standbye, they still use power, to shut down completely you would need to remove the plug as it is, then find the thing on the floor and plug it back in when needed, where as we just need to flick a switch, im not saying your going to save millions of dollars a year in energy and dollars but its the little things that count.

        [–]duckfighter 3 points4 points ago

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        So silly you get downvoted for a valid argument. Also, standby power is not something little. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power#Magnitude

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          [–]bw2002 1 point2 points ago

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          A very rude reply.

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                [–]z3rb 21 points22 points ago

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                UK here, we have switches. The idea of not having that is silly to me.

                [–]the_rule 12 points13 points ago

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                Switches on your power point? I'm from western Europe, I have travelled a decent amount but I have never seen something like that. Maybe sometimes power strips have them. Please enlighten me, what's the point of having a switch to turn off each point individually? Is it because plugs where you live don't have child safety?

                [–]dieyoubastards 7 points8 points ago

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                We have them in the UK

                load more comments (10 replies)

                  [–]ExceedinglyEdible 4 points5 points ago

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                  Yes.

                  Seriously, power is always on with these sockets. You can get power bars / power strips with On/off switches. Also, nothing prevents you from wiring a socket onto a normal light switch. That way you can turn on standalone lights while entering or leaving a room.

                  [–]crackanape 0 points1 point ago

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                  Also, nothing prevents you from wiring a socket onto a normal light switch.

                  Depending on how the room is wired, it might require tearing up the walls.

                  Better to just buy proper outlets that have built-in switches.

                  [–]SpecterXs 5 points6 points ago

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                  In Portugal, myself. No switches for plugs here, either. Only on power bars.

                  [–]whatamuffin 3 points4 points ago

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                  when i moved to nz for a few months, i thought those switches were genius! i wish we had them here in the states.

                  [–]tourm 1 point2 points ago

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                  UK - Not in the photo.

                  [–]birjolaxew 2 points3 points ago

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                  At least in Denmark, we do have switches (http://imgur.com/DY0QH top switch is for light in the room, bottom for the actual outlet). Not having them seems incredibly silly to me.

                  [–]Pantz_Party 25 points26 points ago

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                  OMG IT'S SO CUTE!!!

                  [–]glassFractals 3 points4 points ago

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                  Why must Denmark be perfect? Even their outlets are.

                  Excuse me while I go vomit rainbows.

                  [–]FnuGk 1 point2 points ago

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                  In newer houses ( 90+ i think ) they do not have switches. They are in a constant ON fase. (Im dane as well)

                  [–]exmotreesguns 1 point2 points ago

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                  phase? (I know English isn't your primary language, I just know that some people like to be corrected so they have better English in the future.)

                  Not trying to be rude.

                  [–]birjolaxew 0 points1 point ago

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                  That's really interesting, actually. I've never sen any without switches here in Denmark, but then again, it's not something I look for.

                  load more comments (1 reply)

                    [–]MerliSYD 10 points11 points ago

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                    :D

                    [–]madsohm 3 points4 points ago

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                    We also have these in Denmark.

                    [–]WizTroll 4 points5 points ago

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                    Americans had to google the flag for Denmark

                    [–]godlived 14 points15 points ago

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                    To the clueless like me, Denmark is the fourth one in the first row, with the smiley face socket.

                    The second, third, and fourth socket in the second row with the blue flag and circle of stars is the European Union flag. I was wondering what the heck a country was doing with so many different sockets.

                    [–]zeonos 4 points5 points ago

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                    I knew all the flag, and I agree that we(Denmark) are the clear winners... I see it every time :(

                    [–]Limes19 -2 points-1 points ago

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                    Dude... Seriously?

                    [–]godlived 6 points7 points ago

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                    What's wrong with not knowing which one's the flag of Denmark or EU? Unlike you, who must obviously know everything, there are people like me who doesn't know everything...

                    [–]paxifista 5 points6 points ago

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                    I think he meant the EU part... It should be slightly more well known than Denmark at least.

                    [–][deleted] ago

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                    [deleted]

                    [–]wataf 5 points6 points ago

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                    'MURICA

                    [–]Limes19 1 point2 points ago

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                    What's wrong with it? It implies a lack of interest in the most basic of international affairs. It goes hand in hand with a disinterest in anything that happens outside the rock you live under. A lack of even the most basic knowledge in these areas is precisely the sort of ignorance that breeds racism and xenophobia.

                    There are simply some very basic things that, in my opinion, every adult ought to have at least some grasp of - things like the basic location of important countries (e.g. if I talk to you about the USA, I expect you to know where I am on about), or the names of important cities (if I mention Paris, I would not expect to have to explain that I'm talking about the French capital). Being at least vaguely aware of the flag of the world's largest economy, a flag which unites 500 million people under it, is another of these things. I am shocked for two reasons - firstly that you did not know anything about this flag, and secondly (more importantly) that you do not see anything wrong with this particular piece of spectacular ignorance. Are you not ashamed?

                    [–]flawedless 2 points3 points ago

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                    There's a vast difference between not being familiar with a flag and being ignorant of world events.

                    [–]beaverjacket 2 points3 points ago

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                    Yeah, that flag is doing a great job uniting all those people. Good job, flag!

                    load more comments (1 reply)

                      [–]gjp253 7 points8 points ago

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                      Credit/source!

                      [–]Miiich 4 points5 points ago

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                      Im moving to denmark!

                      [–]Gargilius 2 points3 points ago

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                      Ok, may be I am imagining this, but I am pretty sure I have seen South African / Indian sockets (and plugs) in the UK...

                      [–]A2- 2 points3 points ago

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                      UK hotels have a tendency to use them for lamps and whatnot. Stops you being able to unplug them and use the power from what is effectively a lighting circuit for a hairdryer and blowing the fuse.

                      load more comments (3 replies)

                        [–]Subbeh 2 points3 points ago

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                        I always llok out for the power points when watching porn, always get excited (more) when it's local!

                        [–]tourm 0 points1 point ago

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                        Well you have my vote for thread president.

                        [–][deleted] 6 points7 points ago

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                        Stolen from There I Fixed It. Come on Reddit, you're better than this.

                        [–]zeromadcowz 1 point2 points ago

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                        watch out, we have a source police over here

                        [–]giz0r 1 point2 points ago

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                        I'm danish, and :D to you too.

                        [–]Anomalocaris 1 point2 points ago

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                        Sorry to argue, Israel uses european plug

                        [–]soundeng 1 point2 points ago

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                        I think Japan wins. 3 outlets instead of 1 or 2. There's that beautiful Japanese efficiency.

                        [–]crackanape 0 points1 point ago

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                        Italy also manages to fit three one-pin outlets in even less space.

                        [–]wafety 1 point2 points ago

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                        China has their plugs upside down to NZ/AUS. But yeah switches had always seemed commonsense to me but I guess not.

                        [–]Munchy2k 1 point2 points ago

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                        TIL the flag of Denmark.

                        [–]swired 1 point2 points ago

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                        TIL we have the same plug as Switzerland.

                        [–]mohsinzakaria 1 point2 points ago

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                        I'm guessing the same applies to Denmark, China and Australia too

                        [–]imasif 0 points1 point ago

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                        Chinese and Australian outlets the same. Makes sense.

                        [–]mohsinzakaria 0 points1 point ago

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                        really....lol

                        [–]Mrducktape 1 point2 points ago

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                        That akward moment when americans think EU is a country.

                        [–]Semajal 1 point2 points ago

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                        I still feel that UK plugs are superior to ALL. Virtually indestructible, solid as hell and not at all prone to being pulled out or accidentally knocked out.

                        Just DONT FUCKING TREAD ON ONE

                        [–]Thisismyface 3 points4 points ago

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                        I think the mean face american outlets discourage kids from playing with them.

                        [–]cblward 3 points4 points ago

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                        Is it clear to anyone else that UK is winner of the 'prongs being strong enough not to bend at the first opportunity' Trophy? Also we have switches on all our sockets unlike in the photo.

                        Apart from stepping on an upturned plug, I think the UK plug is faultless..... Comments..?

                        [–]snitzy 9 points10 points ago*

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                        Well to use them you have to live in the UK so there's a negative right there.

                        [–]JamieSW 9 points10 points ago

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                        And what have we done to you? Actually, we've probably done something in the past...

                        [–]snitzy 1 point2 points ago

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                        Beaten us at the ashes :(

                        [–]cblward 1 point2 points ago

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                        Not sure if repeatedly beating them in the Ashes is the worst thing UK/Britain/England has done to Australia over the years..

                        [–]LordFinkleMcGraw 2 points3 points ago

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                        Nah, getting beaten in the cricket is far worse than being used for atomic weapons testing.

                        [–]sumebrius 0 points1 point ago

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                        Hey, Woomera's great! Nothing like getting a kangaroo steak that's been barbecued before you even cut it off the roo.

                        [–]LordFinkleMcGraw 0 points1 point ago

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                        Maralinga. Woomera is where they tested rockets.

                        [–]JamieSW 1 point2 points ago

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                        And the rugby.

                        [–]sumebrius 0 points1 point ago

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                        Jonny Wilkinson, I spit at your name!

                        [–]cblward 3 points4 points ago

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                        Yeah, but they could be adopted worldwide, think of it as a gift from Britain to the world

                        [–]snitzy 3 points4 points ago

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                        This is some cunning plan to get your empire back isn't it. First you usurp the power sockets and then you take over the world.

                        [–]cblward 3 points4 points ago

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                        Yeah, you got me. First we show you the benefits of the 3 pinned triangular distribution socket, give you a few to test out, be all friendly and shit, help you change all your wall outlets to the British way, help you get rid of all your backwards 2 pinned plug manufacturing plants, all good so far.. then BAM!!! £50 fee (yeah I said £ not $!!) for any further plugs and sockets you need, we exploit your need for electrical access and bleed your country dry to clear our huge national debt, then plant a flag in your soil and claim it for Queen and country!!

                        [–]ColdHotCool 0 points1 point ago

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                        Or King.

                        [–]tangoshukudai 4 points5 points ago

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                        Wrong, the UK plug is huge, have you ever seen the UK iPod power adapter, it is huge compared to the US power adapter. Same with laptop power adapters and so on. Also it is hideous.

                        [–]cblward 3 points4 points ago

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                        Well, UK plugs are undergoing a bit of a transformation at the moment: fascinating, I know. In the last few years phone and laptop chargers have started to get smaller and lighter (though I can't speak for apple products).

                        Take a look at this if you don't believe me

                        If you want to go on about size, US power leads may be smaller in size, but they managed to take up more room by having the flex jut out into the room, where as UK flexes go to the side or up or down. This makes it much easier to hide plugs behind furniture & less of an obstruction protruding from the wall. Whenever I have been to countries that use the US style (1 dimensional layout of prongs) in N. America, S. America, Parts of Europe they come out of the wall so easily, where as you need a full handed grip to remove a UK plug.

                        UK plugs may not win style awards, but they are by far the most practical.

                        [–]tangoshukudai 1 point2 points ago

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                        I disagree about them being more practical, US plugs stick out of the wall, but they are never a problem. Also we do have some that are right angled so they hug the wall nicely. Plus I wouldn't want to use two hands to unplug my laptop every time I needed to take it with me.

                        [–]tourm 0 points1 point ago

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                        You don't need two hands.

                        If I may retaliate, my experience with NA plugs is that with some sockets it's common to have plugs succumb to gravity and become loose due to the center of gravity being about 2-3 inches out from the wall. Haven't seen any right-angled versions yet either.

                        [–]tangoshukudai 1 point2 points ago

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                        yes old plugs have this issue, but the newer designs have a better grip and this doesn't happen.

                        [–]anopheles0 0 points1 point ago

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                        Do this to the pug and you won't have to worry about the plug falling out:
                        _/_\__

                        (push the tips of the flat prongs together slightly so they fit snug in the outlet)

                        [–]tourm 0 points1 point ago

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                        I love you.

                        [–]ColdHotCool 1 point2 points ago

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                        BWAHAHAHA

                        Sorry, that pic has floated around for donkeys, it just won't be approved because you can gain access to the fuse when plugged in, there are some other major issues someone else brought up when it was discussed on reddit (Reddit is nothing but a major roundabout with the same things being discussed but at later points) about why it can't be approved, but the glaring one was the fuse issue.

                        So, to sum up, this is a plug built on design instead of functionality and will remain a students design project.

                        [–]notanotherpyr0 2 points3 points ago

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                        Yeah well at least North America as a continent has our shit together. High-five Mexico and Canada.

                        [–]crackanape 3 points4 points ago

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                        Apart from stepping on an upturned plug, I think the UK plug is faultless..... Comments..?

                        1. They are positively massive. Waste of space and materials. The power strips multiply the problem, and are incredibly unwieldy.

                        2. The 3-way adapter cubes always slide out of the wall from the weight of the plugs. In general I find UK outlets have poor grips (at least after a few years of service) compared to Australian and North American earthed plugs or Euro Schuko plugs (which have such a firm grip that it's common to pull the outlet out of the wall when trying to unplug something, a whole different problem).

                        3. A fault in the plug or the outlet is more dangerous than in other places because the circuit breaker is much harder to trip. Essentially the safety mechanism has been moved from an easily-managed central location, out to the periphery where there are more points of failure and more exposure to physical stress.

                        4. A lack of consistency in the direction the wire emerges from the plug head results in it being impossible to plug certain devices in using adjoining outlets.

                        Overall, though it pains me to say it, the Australian plug system does seem to be the best in category. The plugs are of reasonable size, don't suffer the Schuko death-grip problem or lack of fixed polarity, use reasonable circuit breakage, and have proper switches. That is, except in old Australian houses where people still hand-wire fuses.

                        [–]RedAero 0 points1 point ago

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                        Can only be plugged in in one direction, a major fault in my opinion. The Italian and German/EU plug are the only ones which are reversible and have a ground.

                        [–]puddlejumper 2 points3 points ago

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                        Why don't any but Australia have switches?

                        [–]joshuax 6 points7 points ago

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                        UK ones tend to have switches too: http://0.tqn.com/d/gouk/1/0/Q/1/-/-/wall.jpg

                        [–]crackanape 0 points1 point ago

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                        Malaysia and Singapore have switches as well.

                        load more comments (10 replies)

                          [–]aidanofpower 1 point2 points ago*

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                          Poor Ireland doesn't get a flag alongside the Union Jack... Most robust and secure plugs in the world, IMO.

                          [–]karatepsychic 1 point2 points ago

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                          Yes but also the worst offenders for stabbing your foot at night.

                          [–]NormanConquest 0 points1 point ago

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                          Um... why is the Arab/South African one so small? It's out of scale to the others. It's exactly the same size as the British one, just with round holes.

                          [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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                          I lol'd about China's...

                          [–]bleunt 0 points1 point ago

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                          Brazil reminds me of the Toy Story aliens.

                          [–]douglasscott 0 points1 point ago

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                          Montreal take note: the North American plug is not upside down. (at least a third of the plugs in Montreal are upside down. Does any other city do this?)

                          [–]jigglemybowls 0 points1 point ago

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                          i had to say this but the brazilian plug looks like the green Aliens from Toy Story !!! , the UK looks like MR T and the second EU plug looks like Ultraman, if anyone remembers it.

                          [–]jesbus 0 points1 point ago

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                          The Israeli one is upside down.

                          [–]f0rcedinducti0n 0 points1 point ago

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                          Japan is just USA with out the ground pin and 3 stacked very closely? most small things don't have the ground pin anyway... 3 > 2... Everyone who only has one on their outlets must be sad... Italy's looks boring... and you could put it in upside down? So ground must be the center pin and the other 2 don't matter since it's AC.

                          [–]SnakeShady 0 points1 point ago

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                          Yes, you could put it in upside down.

                          [–]exmotreesguns 0 points1 point ago

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                          AC has nothing to do with it. American houses use AC and on newer outlets you'll notice the pins are different sizes, and some plugs that don't have grounds will still have different size pins and can only be inserted one way.

                          AC still has polarity

                          [–]futuredoc101 0 points1 point ago

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                          Top Right.

                          [–]hatebreeder848 0 points1 point ago

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                          TIL the Brazilian outlets are the same as those here in Switzerland.

                          [–]hondrich 1 point2 points ago

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                          Wrong, the ones in Switzerland are the other way round

                          [–]hatebreeder848 0 points1 point ago

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                          Sad that I had to take a look to confirm...

                          [–]FlyingHigh 1 point2 points ago

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                          They are not the same. The diameter of the pins are different and the central ground pin is spaced at different distances from the live/neutral pins' axis.

                          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets

                          [–]SmithhBR 0 points1 point ago

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                          This outlet model in Brazil is new (2009). The majority of outlets here are the ones without the ground prong. They will all be changed in the future, but it's not the popular one yet.

                          [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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                          Denmark's outlets: "PI-KAAA!"

                          [–]JBarbs 0 points1 point ago

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                          Yeah, in the US our outlets are frowning

                          [–]FinnTheFickle 0 points1 point ago*

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                          I dunno, that's more than just a frown. Our outlets look like they just walked in on another guy porking their wife.

                          [–]Jitte 0 points1 point ago

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                          Fucking Aussies, always hogging up all the sockets on holidays with their huge converters. A 6 socket extension cable can house 2!!! Aussie converters. Amazing.

                          [–]Jbergur 0 points1 point ago

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                          Oddly enough, we don't even use the "mouth" for anything anymore. But imo, the French Unicorn is the winner!

                          [–]SpaizKadett 0 points1 point ago

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                          As in everything else we do

                          [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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                          Looks like the Italian plug also sharpens 3 pencils at once.

                          [–]joek440 0 points1 point ago

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                          I read through the comments but didn't see any explanation ---

                          Can someone tell me WHY there is not a standard power outlet and what the differences are between these (other than the shapes)?

                          [–]derpmax2 0 points1 point ago

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                          Money, Voltage, Frequency.

                          [–]theelk801 0 points1 point ago

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                          I just came up with personalities for all of them. [7]

                          [–]Johnlordly 0 points1 point ago

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                          Question for other countries: Do you have outlets that are upside down, like in America? Because in The States we have outlets that are upside down which means they are operated by a switch on the wall.

                          [–]00zero00 0 points1 point ago

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                          For everyday appliances and gadgets, Israel has the plug found in the EU.

                          [–]ArtifexScientia 0 points1 point ago

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                          Why have these not been standardized to be the same in each country? Does that make things to easy?

                          [–]skatingmichael 0 points1 point ago

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                          and at the same time get the same language, currency and so on, just unite the countries in the world.

                          [–]NeonMan 0 points1 point ago

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                          Europe did standardize low-current plugs. The europlug is a low-current plug designed to fit all european sockets.
                          (UK is not Europe)

                          Wikipedia: Europlug

                          [–]crrumb 0 points1 point ago

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                          Yes, we danes are a happy folk.

                          [–]l4d4d4d 0 points1 point ago

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                          Russia uses the one to its left as well (or rather it's even more common).

                          [–]erythro 0 points1 point ago

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                          I don't think israel is like that...

                          [–]londonrioter 0 points1 point ago

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                          Actually the south africa, india, pakistan is wrong. That's the old 5A british standard for lighting and low power. Still exists in the UK and presumably those countries for dedicated lighting circuits to stop idiot cleaning staff plugging vacuum cleaners etc in to them. The real socket is exactly the same but on a larger scale and runs to 15A at 250V (none of that plastic toy juice the USians use). We still use it for building site use and there's an even bigger version for industrial equipment, found in hospitals to run portable X-ray kit.

                          [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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                          WHY CAN'T WE AGREE ON ANYTHING?

                          [–]almostnearlyevil 0 points1 point ago

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                          I've been in Denmark for four days and I smile whenever I see an outlet.

                          [–]finspin 0 points1 point ago

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                          Is it just me or do outlets from the other countries look old fashioned to you?

                          [–]NecrosDk 0 points1 point ago

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                          Cerially, been mentioning that to my friends for ages now, and they crack up every time! :D Awesome to be a dane.

                          [–]saranghaeyo 0 points1 point ago

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                          Fun fact: if not grounded, a device that can plug into an Israeli outlet will also plug into a South African one (and vice versa).

                          [–]ewic 0 points1 point ago

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                          =D

                          [–]Congzilla 0 points1 point ago

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                          You would think that this would be something simple to create a worldwide standard for.

                          [–]shadow321337 0 points1 point ago

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                          Why is this not standardized? I recently had to help a friend of mine find an adapter to use her laptop in France. It's a pain in the ass.

                          [–]crackanape 0 points1 point ago

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                          Particularly in France, where there are two different types of outlets. The old small ones will sometimes take a new plug but it often involves a lot of physical force and you may never be able to get it out again.

                          [–]Noturordinaryguy 0 points1 point ago

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                          dang Italy, you crazy

                          [–]trancetastic 0 points1 point ago

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                          What I thought when I saw Denmark's.

                          [–]assholebiker 0 points1 point ago

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                          Relevant.

                          [–]Crashri 0 points1 point ago

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                          My first thought... How the hell does japan survive without a third "ground" socket

                          [–]Winning11 0 points1 point ago

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                          Googles Denmark flag...

                          [–]node159 0 points1 point ago

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                          Might be funny but also wrong...

                          load more comments (23 replies)

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