International Sockets

elisd

#1 – 11:57 AM May 18, 2009

But if you're serious about keeping your plug in the wall, twist-lock is the only way to go. /theaternerd

Dean Putney

#2 – 12:26 PM May 18, 2009

I didn't know there were so many...

pork musket

#3 – 1:29 PM May 18, 2009

Wait, they have power in Africa now?

Anonymous Anonymous

#4 – 2:16 PM May 18, 2009

China looks wrong to me - went there and definitely needed an adapter for my UK plugs. Can't remember what they were adapted TO, though.

dculberson

#5 – 4:26 PM May 18, 2009

I love how the light green areas look homogeneous on the map but encompass six or seven different outlets. I recognize that some of those will allow the same plug to be used but obviously a plug specifically for that outlet will not fit all the others.

dayton

#6 – 5:28 PM May 18, 2009

China at least uses the same as Australia in some places, maybe it was Shanghai - I remember there being 2 types, one being the same as home

Thuli

#7 – 5:30 PM May 18, 2009

China uses upside down aussie plugs, convenient for us.

spazzm

#8 – 7:50 PM May 18, 2009

Thuli: Because it's in the Northern hemisphere, obviously.

My first decree when I become Supreme Ruler is that all countries shall use the same plug, voltage and frequency.
If we can do it with ethernet, there's no reason we can't do it with AC power.

Wait a minute, that's my second decree. My first decree will be to turn the 'Metric Martyrs' into actual martyrs.

chris

#9 – 12:57 AM May 19, 2009

China is wrong. They use the top yellow plug and the light blue plug. Occasionally I've seen the dark blue plug, but only with HUGE air conditioners are plugged in (similar to that weird plug for dryers and stuff in America).

I've seen the bottom yellow once or twice, but almost never. I'm surprised there haven't been more electricians in here saying the names of all these plugs! I think the top yellow is called A1.

monstrinho_do_biscoito

#10 – 2:40 AM May 19, 2009

aint nowhere but the UK that uses our huge clunky plugs as far as i'm aware.

i do love them though, they feel so safe and solid compared to the flimsy ones used elsewhere.

me in Amsterdam

#11 – 3:14 AM May 19, 2009

Yep, we all thint that continental Europe uses the same plugs but we sometimes have uncompatibilities. i.e. France and Netherlands
http://blog.re/me-in-amsterdam/index.php/prises-electriques-hollande

dculberson

#12 – 6:51 AM May 19, 2009

Everyone should switch to 400hz ac power. Duh!

Anonymous Anonymous

#13 – 7:29 AM May 19, 2009

@9

Hong Kong definitely uses UK plugs, FO SHO

Rico

#14 – 7:59 AM May 19, 2009

Reporting from the Philippines: above diagram is correct.

Bruce

#15 – 3:37 PM May 19, 2009

Do appliances in the UK still come without plugs, forcing you buy one and screw it on? Always thought that was the most insane arrangement imaginable.

The UK plugs have the drawback that the wire comes out the bottom, which means if you trip over the cord it tends to pull the cord out of the plug (sometimes shorting on the way), instead of pulling the plug out of the wall. On the other hand, the fuse-in-plug design is a good idea.

simonjp

#16 – 8:25 AM May 20, 2009

@15 - no, UK plugs have been molded on for many a year now, at least 10, probably more like 20. I agree about the shorting issue, but I think the fuse-in-plug, the earth-first design with 'shutters' over the live and neutral make it fairly safe. It is a bit clunky, though.