Why is there no standard for power outlets?

[Amol S.]

There are standards for how a car engine works, there are standards for how wifi works, there are standards for how cellular networks work. But, I do not seem to see any standard, if there is any, on the shape of a wall outlet! Why can't all the countries in the world join up at the UN and diicide once in for all on a standard shape for a wall outlet. Its like if you go to relative out of a country you need to have an adapter or leave your device behind. It would be a lot better if one could just shove the charger in and thats it.

 

[Newbian]

It's all fun and games until the UN says we can't use our system of measurement anymore and then you will have old men yelling things like this:

It's what we are used to in those areas and don't care what anyone else thinks not to mention it would be expensive for everyone else to switch over.

Not to mention tech companies such as apple can't even use standard cables so if we can't build things these days to normal "standards" what hope would there be for buildings that are 25+ years or older?

Next time don't forget your adapter so your phone doesn't run out of juice.

 

[tynopik]

Why can't all the countries in the world join up at the UN and diicide once in for all on a standard shape for a wall outlet.

Its like if you go to relative out of a country you need to have an adapter or leave your device behind. It would be a lot better if one could just shove the charger in and thats it.

because you needing an adapter is FAR easier than converting an entire country over to a new standard

 

[monkeydelmagico]

It would be a lot better if one could just shove the charger in and thats it.

No, it really wouldn't. The costs associated with converting entire nations to one standard far outweigh your special person status. Deal with the minor inconvenience of having to use an adapter or don't travel.

 

[cbrunny]

In my country there is literally an entire profession dedicated to standardizing electrical work. They're called "electricians" - it's this whole big thing.

 

[GeekDrew]

There are standards - generally one (ish) per country, with neighboring countries tending to agree with one another. I'd be all in favor of converting those of us who use the antiquated 120v/60hz grid over to 240v/60hz, employing the same outlets as western Europe mainland (non-UK), but it'll never happen.

 

[Kaido]

 

[BoomerD]

Rather than lament the differences in electrical outlets/plugs, the OP should lament the differing voltages used that maks some of the various plug/outlet types appropriate.

You DO NOT want to plug your 110v phone charger into 220 volts...unless you want to replace it...and possibly your phone.

 

[who?]

op will you pay for converters for everybody in the countries that lose in the conversion?

 

[GeekDrew]

Rather than lament the differences in electrical outlets/plugs, the OP should lament the differing voltages used that maks some of the various plug/outlet types appropriate.

You DO NOT want to plug your 110v phone charger into 220 volts...unless you want to replace it...and possibly your phone.

Actually, most phone chargers (and laptop chargers and desktops) autoswitch between 120 and 240. So that's a poor example. But the label on the charger is the definitive answer. Many personal care products (razors, trimmers, curling irons, etc) and kitchen stuffs do not autoswitch.

 

[Ken g6]

There is a standard:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Power_Delivery_(PD)

It just hasn't been adopted by everybody yet.

 

[Red Squirrel]

NEMA is the standard you're looking for. The different plugs have a purpose. Different amp or voltage rating etc.

 

[VashHT]

The reason they use different plugs is because of different AC line voltages/frequencies, however a lot of stuff has wide input range power supplies now so it's not really as bad, just need a plug converter and not a line converter.

 

[feralkid]

there are standards for how cellular networks work.

Not really universal; American phones won't work overseas unless you have a tri-band or quad-band model.

Also GSM vs CDMA within the U.S. itself is hardly what one would call standardized.

 

[WelshBloke]

I'd be all in favor of converting those of us who use the antiquated 120v/60hz grid over to 240v/60hz, employing the same outlets as western Europe mainland (non-UK), but it'll never happen.

Screw that! You can all use the superior UK plugs.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Plugs in 240v land are too bulky and take too much room. The only bulky plugs like that we have are for dryers and stoves, which run on 240v 30a and 40a respectively. Though there's no reason they have to be so bulky if the current is kept the same, 240v is still in the low voltage category as far as arcing goes so not like conductors need to be further apart and insulation need be bigger etc. So a 15a 250v plug could be the same size as our existing ones, just use the ones with the two horizontal blades. (I want to say Nema 6 but those seem to encompass a whole range of plug sizes)

 

[feralkid]

Plugs in 240v land are too bulky and take too much room.

Have you ever seen a household 240 plug from Europe?

"Bulky" isn't really the term that comes to mind.

.

 

[Amol S.]

Rather than lament the differences in electrical outlets/plugs, the OP should lament the differing voltages used that maks some of the various plug/outlet types appropriate.

You DO NOT want to plug your 110v phone charger into 220 volts...unless you want to replace it...and possibly your phone.

Most modern day phone charging plugs support a wide voltage range from 110-240V. I do not know what cell phone charger you are using, but ive rarely seen cellphone or even laptop chargers that do not have this range.

 

[Amol S.]

Actually, most phone chargers (and laptop chargers and desktops) autoswitch between 120 and 240. So that's a poor example. But the label on the charger is the definitive answer. Many personal care products (razors, trimmers, curling irons, etc) and kitchen stuffs do not autoswitch.

Most newer expensive electric shavers do now.

 

[GeekDrew]

Not really universal; American phones won't work overseas unless you have a tri-band or quad-band model.

Also GSM vs CDMA within the U.S. itself is hardly what one would call standardized.

Meanwhile most phones that support CDMA in the US now also support GSM, and most phones in the US that have GSM radios are equipped with LTE bands that are useful in many countries. (There are exceptions, but the old "US phones only work in the US, except for special worldphones" adage is no longer true.)

 

[IronWing]

It's to prevent war. The Ruskies come over the hill and invade America. They get here and try to plug in their coffee pots. Ha! Screw those jerks, back to Ruskie land they go. Railroads in Europe used to be different gauges in different countries for just this reason.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Have you ever seen a household 240 plug from Europe?

"Bulky" isn't really the term that comes to mind.

.

That's much bulkier than ours especially in situations where you need like 20 of em. (Ex: PDUs). You can fit way more north American plugs in the same space. Though one advantage of that design is it is safer. With ours you can actually get a shock if you are reaching for a plug in an awkward position and trying to unplug it and your fingers slip behind and touch the prongs when they're not fully out.

 

[feralkid]

Meanwhile most phones that support CDMA in the US now also support GSM, and most phones in the US that have GSM radios are equipped with LTE bands that are useful in many countries. (There are exceptions, but the old "US phones only work in the US, except for special worldphones" adage is no longer true.)

Travel overseas much? It is still quite true in many regions of the world.
Never said anything about special worldphones, whatever the hell that is, but you definitely don't find quad band in every phone sold in the U.S.

 

[GeekDrew]

but you definitely don't find quad band in every phone sold in the U.S.

Notice the lack of "every" in my statement. o_o

 

[feralkid]

Notice the lack of "every" in my statement. o_o

Fair enough.

; )