Power plugs around the world

[WHAMPOM]

Does anyone know WHY there are so many different power plugs? It's insane.

The whole world, for the most part, runs at 110-240V 50-60Hz. Yet the power plugs can be as small as the ones in North America to as large as the old British ones that are still used in former colonies. It's almost comical.

Why don't we have the same type of plug? I can understand having to adapt the voltages but why the plugs?

Go to a USofA hardware store and check out the fifteen or more styles found here.

 

[SagaLore]

I think we should globally move to a new home power standard, involving DC, magnets, and induction. All the power still makes it to us via AC, but wasn't terminated at the house is converted into DC. Everything inside gets wired with DC. The plugs don't plug into holes/slots, but rather strong magnets hold the plug in place, much like apple's magsafe connectors. Then the DC makes it to the gadget/appliance via induction. So instead of everything you own needing a power adapter to convert AC to the appropriate DC, it just needs to modify the DC to the appropriate strength.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I think we should globally move to a new home power standard, involving DC, magnets, and induction. All the power still makes it to us via AC, but wasn't terminated at the house is converted into DC. Everything inside gets wired with DC. The plugs don't plug into holes/slots, but rather strong magnets hold the plug in place, much like apple's magsafe connectors. Then the DC makes it to the gadget/appliance via induction. So instead of everything you own needing a power adapter to convert AC to the appropriate DC, it just needs to modify the DC to the appropriate strength.

Actually I do think there needs to be a DC low voltage standard introduced. So many things now run on DC, it makes no sense to keep converting all the time. Why not have one central power converter (that sounds so high tech) with separate power panel and DC circuits. It could be a different plug type, and also different light socket type. A lot of lighting can easily be done with DC especially with LEDs, which need a down converter anyway.

To tailor to different applications the standard would need lot of different voltages. perhaps 5v 12v 24v and 48v. 5v plugs would be for phone chargers and the like. 12v would be for computers, TVs, and that type of stuff, 24 and 48 I can't really think of anything specific, so maybe 12 would be good enough. A typical DC power socket would have 4 prongs so the device would just use the ones it needs. light sockets could be similar, the light bulb you use would only use the prongs it needs.

Only downside I see with this is it adds an extra infrastructure system that needs to be installed in newer houses, and because it's low voltage it would require thicker wiring. A 500w 12vdc load such as a high end computer would require wire capable of 41 amps for example. I think that's like 8 awg wire. Basically these plugs would be like stove plugs. But if it was perhaps 15 amp circuits max then you could get away with 14 awg wire and these circuits would be for basic things like shavers, phones, various chargers and the like.

 

[coloumb]

Maybe for the same reason countries have their own currency? Or have their own native language? Or drive on the left or right side of the road? Or have their own style of traffic signs? Or use english or metric system? Or have legalized prostitution while others do not?