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#21
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"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message ... Mark Hewitt wrote: The USA one is misleading, implying there is a top connector for all their plugs, when most of the plugs and sockets I have encountered only have two pins. Really, most? I only see them in very old homes with ancient wiring. In the last 10 years I don't think I've seen 2-prong socket at all. However many low-current devices (lamps, radios, etc.) do have 2-prong plugs. Hi Miguel, Admittedly I was only in the USA for 2 weeks, in Seattle and Washington DC, and saw lots of 2 prong plugs (probably several dozen) and no three prong plugs at all. |
#22
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Mark Hewitt wrote:
"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message ... Mark Hewitt wrote: The USA one is misleading, implying there is a top connector for all their plugs, when most of the plugs and sockets I have encountered only have two pins. Really, most? I only see them in very old homes with ancient wiring. In the last 10 years I don't think I've seen 2-prong socket at all. However many low-current devices (lamps, radios, etc.) do have 2-prong plugs. Hi Miguel, Admittedly I was only in the USA for 2 weeks, in Seattle and Washington DC, and saw lots of 2 prong plugs (probably several dozen) and no three prong plugs at all. The 2-prong _plugs_ are quite common - it's the 2-prong _outlets/sockets_ which are not common, except in older properties which haven't had their wiring upgraded. |
#23
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On Fri, 20 Aug 2004, Alan wrote:
Some of you will have seen this, but this is probably the best web-site I've seen for a comparison and description of what you'll need for connectors when you travel. Electrical Connectors http://www.topline.tv/lang/electrical/plugs.html The pictures are pretty, but the information is more detailed he http://kropla.com/electric2.htm Don donwiss at panix.com. |
#24
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Ronald Olsson wrote:
"Miguel Cruz" skrev: Mark Hewitt wrote: The USA one is misleading, implying there is a top connector for all their plugs, when most of the plugs and sockets I have encountered only have two pins. Really, most? I only see them in very old homes with ancient wiring. In the last 10 years I don't think I've seen 2-prong socket at all. However many low-current devices (lamps, radios, etc.) do have 2-prong plugs. 2-prong socket doesn't always mean "old ancient wiring houses". It does in the USA, which is what I was talking about. Earlier some countries made a separation between kitchen areas, wet areas as bathroom and living room, bedrooms. Kitchen areas and wet areas always did need a wall socket with earth while other areas didn't need that. Now a days it's more common that all apartments and houses does has an earth-fault detection device and therefore all sockets must have an earth connection and all plugs must be 3-plung plugs. The reason for the 3rd prong isn't just to detect a fault, but it's to shunt wayward electricity to ground via a path more appealing than a human. Only devices with extra insulation does have a flat 2-plung plug without earth. Many (especially complex) devices make liberal use of frame ground, and on these, even tiny exposed metal parts (screw heads, etc.) may carry dangerous current in the event of a fault. While the British arguably go too far, the rest of Europe in my opinion often doesn't go far enough in wiring safety (and don't get me started about the design of the plug prongs themselves). miguel -- Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu |
#25
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"Miguel Cruz" skrev i meddelandet ... 2-prong socket doesn't always mean "old ancient wiring houses". It does in the USA, which is what I was talking about. I know that, but this post did start with European ones too, thatīs why Iīd add my reply The reason for the 3rd prong isn't just to detect a fault, but it's to shunt wayward electricity to ground via a path more appealing than a human. I know that too, I just wanted to point out that the roles are stronger now a days, you are not allowed to just have 3 prong wall sockets only into new biuldings, a common earth falut detection device for incoming power or separated units for different outgoing supply is also a must. Only devices with extra insulation does have a flat 2-plung plug without earth. Many (especially complex) devices make liberal use of frame ground, and on these, even tiny exposed metal parts (screw heads, etc.) may carry dangerous current in the event of a fault. While the British arguably go too far, the rest of Europe in my opinion often doesn't go far enough in wiring safety (and don't get me started about the design of the plug prongs themselves). All electric units in Europe, of all different types, wich has a flat 2prong plug has been tested and are considered safe, otherwise they arenīt allowed to be avaible on the market. However, mostly 2prong plugs are found for smaller items like hair-dryers and other smaller non-metallic devices. Units with a metal frame does always have a 3rd plung for earth connection. Even smaller electric units which outher layer are mostly of glass or different types of plastic or a combination, like smaller coffee makers and simular units, does has a 3-prong plug. (and don't get me started about the design of the plug prongs themselves No Iīm not trying to do that at all, we all have our different experience/opinions about design and functions, and so do I, I am an electric engineer. Design/functions/roles has always been different from country to country even if we in Europe have a big common agreement regarding electric safety both in desgign and functions. That doesnīt mean that every country must have the same design. Ronald |
#26
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The really ancient wiring is on two wires with minimal insulation and at
least 6 inches of separation except at plugs and switches. Most of the insulation is brittle enough to be questionable. That's ancient. The left over 50's stuff with two prong plugs is pretty modern. Miguel Cruz wrote: Mark Hewitt wrote: The USA one is misleading, implying there is a top connector for all their plugs, when most of the plugs and sockets I have encountered only have two pins. Really, most? I only see them in very old homes with ancient wiring. In the last 10 years I don't think I've seen 2-prong socket at all. However many low-current devices (lamps, radios, etc.) do have 2-prong plugs. miguel |
#27
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"Frank F. Matthews" wrote:
The really ancient wiring is on two wires with minimal insulation and at least 6 inches of separation except at plugs and switches. Most of the insulation is brittle enough to be questionable. That's ancient. The left over 50's stuff with two prong plugs is pretty modern. In the 70s, I lived in a house which still had knob and tube wiring. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's still there. Some of the light fixtures were combination gas and electric. |
#28
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S Viemeister wrote:
"Frank F. Matthews" wrote: The really ancient wiring is on two wires with minimal insulation and at least 6 inches of separation except at plugs and switches. Most of the insulation is brittle enough to be questionable. That's ancient. The left over 50's stuff with two prong plugs is pretty modern. In the 70s, I lived in a house which still had knob and tube wiring. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's still there. Some of the light fixtures were combination gas and electric. We looked at a house south of Baltimore that had that wiring in the attic. The thing is - it may not be in actual use anymore. grandma Rosalie |
#29
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S Viemeister wrote:
In the 70s, I lived in a house which still had knob and tube wiring. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's still there. I don't even know what that is (what is it?). miguel -- Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu |
#30
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Miguel Cruz wrote in news:r_7Wc.18$J02.232
@news.itd.umich.edu: S Viemeister wrote: In the 70s, I lived in a house which still had knob and tube wiring. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's still there. I don't even know what that is (what is it?). miguel Instead of using the modern wire Knob and tube used seperated wires that wound around porcelain knobs every so often and whenever a turn in direction was called for. It was the in house equivalent of the old telephone poles with green insulated knobs. O------------O------------O | O---------O------------O | | | | | | | O-----O O------O | | | | | etc. |
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