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Uncletwitch
10/30/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
Not only a great read; but most commments are well thought out and also a great read #worldwideelectricplugs
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j.michael.elliott
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
Good article. One does wonder why North America (and some bits of Japan) are 60Hz while everyone else likes 50Hz.

"The voltage debate had been pared down to two, which made life a bit easier for power companies to set up shop across the world."

Not quite. Until the beginning of the 21st century, there were four distinct voltages: 100V (Japan), 240V (Great Britain and former colonies save Canada), 110/117/120 (whatever -- North America), and 220V (the rest of the world).

Then in the 80's, Europe and Britain began a "harmonization" process, and compromised on 230V. They are not there yet, it will take a while to switch everything over, but that's the plan.

Former colonies remain at 240V. North America still likes its 110/117/120V and Japan won't be leaving 100V behind for a while. So for someone designing products for international sales, one has to deal with 100/120/220/230/240 volts. For some products, like tungsten or halogen light bulbs, the difference between 220 and 230 volts is significant enough to result in significantly shortened lifetime. And, of course, 267V in some parts of the Australian Outback, and brownout conditions elsewhere just make the job even tougher.

(Lifetime of bulb is roughly inversely related to 12th power of the voltage. So a 220V bulb in a 230V application will only last 6/10ths as long as it would at 220v. That's why in the USA we use 130V bulbs in locations where we want the bulb to last a long time. Why that famous 100 year old firehouse bulb keeps burning -- it's undervoltaged.)
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TheLostVikings R.O.A.C.H.
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug

I used to think all those different power plugs were a hassle, then I found this. It has a socket for every type of plug, and a plug for every type of socket.

It's like some kind of electrical orgy just waiting to happen. #worldwideelectricplugs
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madog
10/30/09

@TheLostVikings R.O.A.C.H.: That only solves the issue of the physical connection. When you look at the power info (say, the "brick" on your laptop cable, or printer, or anything else for that matter, but the brick is common and easy to locate) you'll notice their voltage/Hz rating. For example, all the Apple ones say 100-240v/50-60Hz. That means, with an adapter like the one you showed it'll work just fine anywhere.

But, if you have a "simple" power adapter it might just say 100-120v/60Hz. In those cases you would need an actual power converter as well as an adapter to make sure 240v doesn't rush into it and cause it to overload and explode in your face.

Still, that crazy thing does look cool and painful to use at the same time.
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Edited by madog at 10/30/09 12:10 AM madog was starred madog was unstarred

TheLostVikings R.O.A.C.H.
10/30/09

@madog: I've never even seen an adapter that doesn't support 100-240v/50-60Hz. I guess that's the benefit in living i a 240v country, all our shit always works internationally by default, so you never even have to think about problems like that at all. #worldwideelectricplugs
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madog
10/31/09

@TheLostVikings R.O.A.C.H.: Sounds logical. I suppose it's easier to down-convert voltage instead of up-convert it. #worldwideelectricplugs
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JesusDeSaad
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
If you live in southern europe like i do, and have to travel to England, no need for adaptors.

simply take a toothpick and stick it in the middle hole of the G socket so you can insert the two normal C, E and F plug bars.

Lived in England for three and a half years, never a problem with that solution. I plugged in all sorts of electrical stuff, from desktop pcs to lamps and even a washing machine. Fuck adapters. #worldwideelectricplugs
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aec007
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug

@ john Herrman:
"She means new stuff like USB, which is turning into the de facto gadget charging standard."

Which USB plug would that be?

A
B
Mini-A (4 pin)
Mini-B (4 pin)
Mini-A (5 pin)
Mini-B (5 pin)
Micro-A
Micro-B

I hope I got them all....
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John Herrman promoted this comment Edited by aec007 at 10/29/09 3:39 PM aec007 was starred aec007 was unstarred

aec007
10/29/09

@aec007: image got screwed...this one's better #worldwideelectricplugs
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ephorwillarb
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
As a traveling photographer needing to reduce the volume and weight of my luggage as much as possible, I made my own adapter that uses the Apple plug fittings.
For any one interested in doing the same it is outlined on my blog at...
[www.chriscameronphoto.blogspot.com]
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Sticks Calhoun
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
The Middle East is pretty sporadic with its plugs.

At the moment my computer, two monitors and printer are connected with:

1 Type A
1 Type C
1 Type G
1 Type H.

All plugged into a power strip that has oddly shaped inputs to accept a variety of plugs. But not type A, I needed an adapter for that one.

I'm pretty sure our fridge uses a Type D but it's hard to tell with no reference for scale. The circular prongs are HUGE for that one.

All the wall sockets here are Type G, but the products you buy come with whatever.
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Edited by Sticks Calhoun at 10/29/09 3:06 PM Sticks Calhoun was starred Sticks Calhoun was unstarred

KingKash
10/30/09

@Sticks Calhoun: that my friend is because they're imported from everywhere, and not manufactured just for the UAE/Middle East.

what that means is, lower prices, better goods, just well a lota plugs. (which i mean, who cares... its cheap! it blows up, get another one...) #worldwideelectricplugs
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Sticks Calhoun
10/30/09

@KingKash: Oh, I know about the importing. Some companies are kind enough to include multiple plugs (though not the one for my computer. I had to buy my own grounded plug because I got tired of my desktop carrying a current and shocking me every time I touched the case).

I also know about the blowing up. I have had several power strips and wall adapters just start melting on me. It's not the blowing up I'm afriad of, it's the subsequent setting fire to my apartment!

I wish I could say the goods were better and cheaper, but sadly they are not. Cheaper compared to Europe, yes, but electronics tend to be 10%-20% more expensive here when compared with the US.
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Edited by Sticks Calhoun at 10/30/09 6:52 AM Sticks Calhoun was starred Sticks Calhoun was unstarred

KingKash
10/30/09

@Sticks Calhoun: hahha ain;t that the truth, the US have it soo good they dont know about it.

here in australia its worse because its 10-20% more expensive than middle eastern prices :D... so we're getting jibbed and yet we cant do anything about it.

and i do know what you mean about the fire, a mate of mine who lives in dubai had a multi-board melt into the top of his case, which overheated his psu and basically killed his computer. a good reason to upgrade but scary none the less. #worldwideelectricplugs
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Audaxero
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
Nice article Giz, cheers. Having been exposed to various British/Dutch/post-colonial asian power spaghetti over the years, i've got to say, like a few people here, that i'm still a fan of the British monster plug...Yes it's huge, only goes one way up and is a pain when you need to pack anything that needs to take it's plug, and yes plug-socket bars take up serious floor real-estate, but i just like the fact, unlike type A/C ones, that once you've got them in the wall they stay there...even when you trip over them and bring whatever was plugged in crashing to the ground...But they just feel solid and not quite as 'life in your hands' as some of the others...and how can you not have an on/off switch on your wall socket...honestly? #worldwideelectricplugs
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Pazu
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
Hm, Brazil is not planning to adopt the IEC 60906 plug. The socket part is required for new constructions since July 2006, and the plug is going to be mandatory for all electric equiment legally sold (as new) in the country by the end of the current year.

Since there's no provision to enforce the removal of old plugs, it's going to be a decade or two before they disappear completely, but in any case it's not planning anymore -- the standard has been adopted.

Now only if the rest of the world would follow... #worldwideelectricplugs
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Pazu
10/29/09

@Pazu: Ah, I forgot: The standard plug has been adopted in Brazil for both 110V/220V and 220/240V.

So there's only one plug despite different parts of the country using different voltages (usually, cities close to power generation facilities use 120V, while cities further afar use 240V).

Oh well. There will be only one plug.
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Edited by Pazu at 10/29/09 2:21 PM Pazu was starred Pazu was unstarred

Twinder
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
Why is Type H so angry? #worldwideelectricplugs
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froggy
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
while traveling in shanghai, i partook in the wonderfulness that is a multi-socket socket. so i could plug in my US stuff in there, and my colleagues from Europe could plug in their stuff in the same socket. And of course, the Chinese, with their weird plug, could connect just as easily. For hotels, something like that should be a must. #worldwideelectricplugs
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whiteflea
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
When my wife and I went to a French possession for our honeymoon, we had no problem getting an adapter; however, next Summer we are going on a long trip all across Europe, where we will apparently be going through a large number of various plug types. Thanks for the heads-up, John.

Question: does anyone make a multi-adapter or something that covers several different types at once? Specifically, a special Euro-adapter that covered Britain, France, Germany, and the EU, would be awesome. #worldwideelectricplugs
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Geisrud
10/29/09

@whiteflea: Any travel store will be happy to sell you a power kit with all your favorite different plugs and often a bundled converter for the 220 - 110v change. #worldwideelectricplugs
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Sticks Calhoun
10/29/09

@whiteflea: Radio Shack and Best Buy also carry them. #worldwideelectricplugs
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madog
10/30/09

@whiteflea: Check out [gizmodo.com] posts above (or his comment history). #worldwideelectricplugs
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TheLostVikings R.O.A.C.H.
10/31/09

@whiteflea: Try googling "Swiss World Adapter"

It's what I use and it covers pretty much the entire world, you can plug anyting into it, and it itself plugs into any socket. It even has a tiny fuse in it to be fully UK compatible. #worldwideelectricplugs
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pantsonfireliarliar
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
This Kensington adapter makes all of this painless. It's worked everywhere for me except South Africa. #worldwideelectricplugs
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james.subs
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
"Last time I saw a wireless power prototype was at the Intel Developer Forum in 2008"
Doesn't the palm pre already use induction charging on the touchstone base?
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John Herrman
10/29/09

@james.subs: Yep, but it has to touch the device. You could have flat contact plugs, I guess? Like, little socket pads on the wall? #worldwideelectricplugs
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Entaum
10/29/09

In reply to Giz Explains: Why Every Country Has a Different F#$%ing Plug
Thanks Giz for the insight! And to think a few months ago I was there cursing at the brazilian government for forcing us to change our power outlets for no aparent reason... #worldwideelectricplugs
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