Hazard

Zarniwoop

#1 – 2:09 PM August 14, 2009

I don't understand. All I see is a standard US plug correctly plugged into its socket. Can someone explain this to me? :s

sworm

#2 – 2:49 PM August 14, 2009

Wouldn't have been easier to put a different plug on?

Also, if that's a US plug, the voltage is also different.

Rob Beschizza

#3 – 2:56 PM August 14, 2009

If your appliance has a power brick, chances are the brick will be happy anywhere. All you need is a dumb physical plug adapter. Hence...

schmod

#4 – 6:46 PM August 14, 2009

The voltage issue may not be a problem. Many electronic devices are equipped to handle both 110V and 220V. In fact, most computer components can do this effortlessly (hence the fact that most computing devices have IEC connectors, which are pretty much ubiquitous worldwide)

However, there *is* a problem with this setup, and I doubt that any juice is actually flowing. UK power receptacles do not work unless something has physically been inserted into the ground pin (which is not the case here). It's possible that they got the shutters open some other way, but it really just doesn't add up.

If there is indeed juice running through those wires, you also have to worry about there being no 13A fuse in the "plug." Overloading that circuit would be very easy, and you'll be drawing a lot more than 13A when you do.

Hal

#5 – 11:31 PM August 14, 2009

you can push an object into the earth(third pin) to lift the shutters and remove it after a two prong plug is inserted.

GyroMagician

#6 – 5:59 AM August 15, 2009

My (German) girlfriend delicately lifts the shutter by jamming a pair of scissors in the ground. It works.

Rob Beschizza

#7 – 9:09 AM August 15, 2009

The fact you have to jam something into the ground to get the juice flowing is what makes this insanity even possible. That should be pretty obvious!

GeekMan

#8 – 10:13 AM August 15, 2009

You also have to take into account the fact that you have no idea what metal the keys are made of, and it may have vastly incompatible resistance qualities. They might get really hot or have some other undesirable effect.

So many reasons this is a bad idea...

RikF

#9 – 9:48 AM August 16, 2009

Now I'm feeling homesick for British plugs :( I'm sick to the back teeth of American ones spontaneously falling out of the walls, as well as the lack of on-wall on/off switches. Oh, and the fact that the weedy 110V means my electric kettle takes forever to boil water for a cuppa!

Of course, as soon as I'm back in the UK I miss the ease with which tiny US plugs can be packed away for travel...

Rob Beschizza

#10 – 6:50 PM August 16, 2009

Exactly so! Whenever I get nostalgic for British plugs, I remember the last time I was there and seeing people with them in their laptop bags. It's just hilarious.

That said, I imagine they are good defence against knife-wielding chavs.