Post 9qwursjwU7HbwF5c4e by sophistoche@tootplanet.space
 (DIR) More posts by sophistoche@tootplanet.space
 (DIR) Post #9qwoj7ej3jFBrs5byC by cypnk@mastodon.social
       2020-01-13T04:14:01Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       How come so many other countries have electrical sockets with self-closing inlets for live and neutral and we don't? A lot of them only open when a plug with a ground pin is insertedAnd the outlet itself often has a switch in the cornerThe plugs themselves have the prongs partly insulated so if it's partially pulled out, no copper is exposedThis is such a sensible design
       
 (DIR) Post #9qwurs5WuMxNuuBL5E by msh@coales.co
       2020-01-13T04:36:59Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @cypnk I think choosing to use double the voltage and a lower frequency to deliver power into homes over there had something to do with the extra care and attention given to receptacle design
       
 (DIR) Post #9qwursW7JWDxFMcZWa by cypnk@mastodon.social
       2020-01-13T04:39:18Z
       
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       @msh That makes sense. Which would also explain why electric kettles take forever to get warm over here, but they're ready to go in minutes over there
       
 (DIR) Post #9qwursjwU7HbwF5c4e by sophistoche@tootplanet.space
       2020-01-13T05:36:21Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @cypnk @msh a partial reason is that America uses thin flat pins, not round or rectangular ones. It’s much harder to fit most things in those - Aus/NZ socket design uses flat pins too and mostly doesn’t have A/N covers. We do however have much stricter laws on electrical wiring (you must be a trained electrician to do *any* mains work whatsoever by law, devices in non-residential places require regular safety testing & tagging, and RCDs are mandatory).
       
 (DIR) Post #9qwurtAAuaGbFbMYxk by sophistoche@tootplanet.space
       2020-01-13T05:40:44Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @cypnk @msh also the electric kettle thing is purely a matter of wattage, not frequency. Aus/European/UK house wiring can all provide 2300-2500W per outlet, so kettles draw close to that. Looking on amazon, a ‘fast boil’ US kettle was listed as only 1500W!
       
 (DIR) Post #9qwurtU1im98FAePuC by clacke@libranet.de
       2020-01-13T05:51:54Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @sophistoche @msh @cypnk It is easier to have higher wattage with sensibly thick cabling if you up the voltage though. That US kettle will need higher amps than that more powerful UK kettle.
       
 (DIR) Post #9qxAQnIUDBHyVPLvZQ by msh@coales.co
       2020-01-13T06:00:31Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @sophistoche True it is about wattage and voltage. Frequency mainly affects the depth that current will penetrate a surface. Lower frequencies are more lethal because current goes deeper in the body (and thus DC current is extremely dangerous at surprisingly low wattage).Thing is the outlets in North America and in UK are both rated for about 10 at 12A sustained current. However since the voltage is half over here we cannot make tea as fast because our dainty outlets cannot muster it. @cypnk
       
 (DIR) Post #9qxAQni0gHhnmZIJM0 by msh@coales.co
       2020-01-13T06:02:18Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @sophistoche also this is a reminder that Thomas Edison was a shitty person and tried to push DC electricity into our homes. Can you imagine how well that would have gone lol @cypnk
       
 (DIR) Post #9qxIqjMGHM3RS1zs9I by sophistoche@tootplanet.space
       2020-01-13T06:12:55Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @msh @cypnk exactly. Working in theatre, I also love the fact that AU outlets have a keyed system with 10, 15, 20, 25, and 32A outlets, and you can fit a lower-rated plug into any higher-rated receptacle but not vice versa. And same for 3-phase (32, 40, 50A 415V φ-φ).