Why does the USA not use a 3 pin plug?

[heathd]

Oh....good to know...... It was built in the early 1900's I think.

Probably knob and tube wiring then. I imagine someone has upgraded all the wiring since it was built.

[flibberdipper]

Only smaller stuff like phone chargers and deal lamps, external hard drives, and speakers don't. All the higher wattage stuff does. Dryers and ranges use a 220-240 volt plug

*ding ding ding*

 

Although my brick for my hard drives is grounded.

[Trik'Stari]

Probably knob and tube wiring then. I imagine someone has upgraded all the wiring since it was built.

I think I remember seeing some kind of weird looking tube around the wires when we put in a ceiling fan.

[juretrn]

hehe

[Zeke]

I think I remember seeing some kind of weird looking tube around the wires when we put in a ceiling fan.

You mean something like this?

[LarsReviews]

I must say that the US Plug design is really bad. I got shocked by one, because the Plug already caries power when it is half way in. 

[Trik'Stari]

You mean something like this?

It appeared to be some kind of cloth or denim....... not plastic

[heathd]

I must say that the US Plug design is really bad. I got shocked by one, because the Plug already caries power when it is half way in.

There's something to be said for paying attention to what you are doing.

[Mooshi]

It's prob already be said already, but eh whatever I'll post. Most devices don't need it such as televisions and phone chargers. For things of more bulk, we have 3 pronged solutions like for the fridge and PC.

[LarsReviews]

There's something to be said for paying attention to what you are doing.

 

The outlet was hard to reach, so I tried to plug it in without seeing, what I am doing. I still think, they should be able to improve it to make it safer. 

[dfsdfgfkjsefoiqzemnd]

It's prob already be said already, but eh whatever I'll post. Most devices don't need it such as televisions and phone chargers. For things of more bulk, we have 3 pronged solutions like for the fridge and PC.

Yup, we have 2-pin plugs for certain devices too

 

[heathd]

The outlet was hard to reach, so I tried to plug it in without seeing, what I am doing. I still think, they should be able to improve it to make it safer.

Makes sense. I've been in similar situations, but I hold it by the cord at the base of the male connector when working like that.

[SeriouslyMikey]

we should have one internationnal plug, that's all. It's annoying to have this kind of difference between countries.

So unlikely. It took decades for the UK to have the standard it has now. Before, we had around 15 different plugs last century, and the adapters were huge.

[ionbasa]

We do:

[Poohy14]

The US uses a 3 plug on just about everything that is 125-110VAC since its in the NEC (National Electrical Code). when you get to 220-240VAC that is a 4 prong plug like for washers and dryers. If its a 2 prong device, its still grounded since neutral is connected to the grounding wire on the grounded conductor. The reason why there is a lot of 3 pronged devices is because The grounded prong is the first to be grounded, then the neutral, then the "HOT" wire is last to make contact with the contacts on the outlet. its not rocket science guys. Different countries have different Electrical codes so thats why everyone is different. Even a lot of wire colors are different for every country.

[Shroomster]

EU plugs are best. And the 230V rail. Suck it 'Murrica with your puny 115V!

[ionbasa]

EU plugs are best. And the 230V rail. Suck it 'Murrica with your puny 115V!

In the US its actually ~120 v phase to neutral or 240v phase to phase. Each phase is 180 degrees out of phase with each other. Airgo, we use a split phase system. Every household still has 240v available.

[Shroomster]

In the US its actually ~120 v phase to neutral or 240v phase to phase. Each phase is 180 degrees out of phase with each other. Airgo, we use a split phase system. Every household still has 240v available.

But most appliances use 120V as it is, what comes out of the general plug. Our PSUs are more efficient

[ionbasa]

But most appliances use 120V as it is, what comes out of the general plug. Our PSUs are more efficient

Yes, the standard plug is 120v. That doesn't mean we don't use 240v. We have quite a number of appliances that use 240v, such as air conditioners (central system), electric/induction cooktops, ovens, electric vehicle car chargers. 

 

We have 240v plugs that look like this:

Depending on the voltage and amperage draw, we use different sockets to prevent plugging a 120v appliance into a 240 outlet and vice-versa.

[Shroomster]

Yes, the standard plug is 120v. That doesn't mean we don't use 240v. We have quite a number of appliances that use 240v, such as air conditioners (central system), electric/induction cooktops, ovens, electric vehicle car chargers. 

 

We have 240v plugs that look like this:

Depending on the voltage and amperage draw, we use different sockets to prevent plugging a 120v appliance into a 240 outlet and vice-versa.

Yes, I know. I was talking like lamps and such. I know you have 240V as well. It is though mostly used for those large draw stuff you know

[ionbasa]

Yes, I know. I was talking like lamps and such. I know you have 240V as well. It is though mostly used for those large draw stuff you know

I actually have a 240V plug that I run my computers off of in my office room, along with an APC PDU, yes I am the oddball person that takes advantage of the increased efficiency of switched mode power supplies!

[Me1z]

Oh....good to know...... It was built in the early 1900's I think.

 

You're probably fine then. It doesn't really matter how old the wiring is as long as its all copper. Its the 1970's you need to worry about, contractors suddenly started using aluminum because it was cheaper and where I live entire neighborhoods burned down as a result.

[asim1999]

In the UK all appliances normally use a 3 pin or only work with a 3 pin (except bathroom appliances that would be dangerous with 230v)

Must be a pain in the backside with multiple sockets

Here in the UK we have one no-hassle simple standard that IMO should be for the whole world as well

[Shroomster]

I actually have a 240V plug that I run my computers off of in my office room, along with an APC PDU, yes I am the oddball person that takes advantage of the increased efficiency of switched mode power supplies!

Oh, really. Nice. It does quite bit of difference in the long run.

[TopWargamer]

we should have one internationnal plug, that's all. It's annoying to have this kind of difference between countries.

It's not as simple as that though. As nice as this would be, it won't happen, and even if it does, it will take years to implement. It's much more than just swapping out the actual power outlets and power cables. Each country would have to retrofit their current electricity grid to fit the spec. 

 

Here's a few examples that I know of off of the top of my head:

 

Japan runs on 100 volts. 

The United States runs on 120 volts.

The European Union runs on 230 volts. 

 

That's a big difference. As of right now, it's simpler to just have multiple plugs. Another concern would be money. The world's economy is pretty terribad right now, and for the time being, it's only going to get worse. It would take billions of Dollars/Euros/Yen/whatever to make a universal plug even possible, and it's just something that most countries can't afford, nor is it a need for concern.