Our north American versions are nice as mentioned there are those tabs you can "split" the receptacle. You rarely break the neutral side but you can break the hot and have a "split switched" where one half is constant power and the other is switched, common in living rooms and areas where you may want to plug in a lamp but control it from the entrance to a room, yet still have the outlet powered for a phone charger etc. They can also be "split" and wired to provide two circuits, common in kitchens, areas where you want to plug in two high power appliances. The ones you see here are cheap "residental grade". There are "commercial specification", "industrial specification" and "Hospital" grade receptacles availible that are far more robust than you see here, availible with screw clamp terminals for solid and stranded wire as is now found in commercial and industrial installations.
In european version you can also do that with splice sockets, but you need a modular two ones. Single double sockets unfortunately can't be separated to another circuits. In kitchens we needn't power double receptacles by two phases, because from one circuit you can get 16A (3680 watts) on 230V mains, higher power devices like induction tops or electric stoves are feed from 400 volts three phases (in Poland we have acces to it in every house)
@@AsXSn I have to say I am kind of jealous that our system isnt straight 230 / 240 volt like it is over there, also being able to have 3 phase present in your house would be a nice option. I'm in Canada, 347/600V is very common in commercial for lighting (347v) and 600V for larger loads or building distribution and stepped down to 120/208 for basic loads. We cant even have 3 phase to a house unless it's for some extravagant purpose, it's just 120/240V single phase. Nothing in a dwelling of "more than 125V to ground"
@@REWYRED US/Canada unfortunately stuck in Edison low voltage distribution system, but with AC instead DC, Edison DC system deliver 2x positive legs 110/120V / 240 and 0 / ground, like a symmetrical power supplies in audio amps. Europe fortunely went to three phase low voltage distribution
@@AsXSn We do have similar in our houses.... 120/240 1 phase 3 wire.. Center tap grounded secondary on the distribution transformer so you in essence get two 120V supplies and still get 240V across the outer hot legs... In this configuration nothing is above "125V to ground" and like a 3 phase system you can share the neutral and it will carry the difference between the two hot conductors... We use the 120V for the typical lights, small appliances and the like, 240V being reserved for appliances like the stove, dryer, central air conditioning, electric heat and some motors like a pool circulator (they can be 120V or dual 120/240V). Would be nice if small appliances were 240V, could get more on a circuit, and we wouldnt need huge breaker panels for our houses, 24 circuit was minimum. But you can get 32, 48, 64, and up to 84 circuit panels now.
@@REWYRED Here also usually breaker panels in houses can be big like 20-30 circuits typically in new houses. Our three phase supply unfortunately has one serious problem, it's neutral wire, this is very "sant" , our dystrybution system usually work in TN-C system where neutral have also ground role and is separated in breaker panel or meter cabinet into separated neutral and ground, this should be grounded additionaly by probes or other ground methode. Sometimes I hear about loose neutral wires in power services what may cause interphase voltages on single phase appliances and damaged it rapidly when neutral in breaker panel isn't grounded good. Once I hear about problem with neutral wire on main low voltage distribution line from transformer which feed two residential streets, overhead line was old and grounds for neutral wire on poles was on very bad shape, neutral wire unfortunely was damaged behind the transformer and much single phase devices in many houses got damaged. Residentials with newer breaker panels with surge protectors probably was protected when it happen and main breakers in meter cabinet probably trip
North American household electrical system runs on 110/120V, 60Hz with A, B plug&socket type whether Europe and including Russia runs on 220/240V, 50Hz with C, E, F plug&socket type.
French style sockets are better, I don't know why Germans adopted this weird schuko thing, here in Czechia we use French sockets too, it's ridiculous that even neighboring countries in Europe have slightly different sockets. When you have 3 pin plug, you expect that wiring will be always the same, but with German socket, you can insert it vice versa, ofcourse it's nice to have possiblity to mount stupid L plug vice versa, but on other hand, brown is not phase anymore, I know that it's not a problem for product, but in some rare cases, it could be and when it has grounding pin, It should be mounted always the same. Also, phase hase to be in left hole in socket and with symetric schuko socket, it's easy to flip it and install socket accidentally vice versa, so again - safety risk. With French sytyle, you immediatelly see that it's vice versa when grounding pin is down, not up.
There are US outlets with screwless connections also but they are more expensive so usually DIYers are the ones who install them while professional electricians install ones with screws. But screw connections always have metal connectors on them like you showed on second Eruopean outlet with screw connectors. I never seen connectors with just screws like what you showed.
It's interesting that in Russia after the fall of USSR we changed to European sockets, despite so many electric sockets and plugs were in use. Soviet style sockets had the same round pins with the same distance between them buh they were narrower. So at first adapters were in use which allowed to use modern style plugs in soviet sockets. Nowadays you will hardly find any soviet style socket here.
Yup! Definitely a positive change, though it really needs to apply to ones on power strips and extension cords too, since... it's not like those are magically absent of any danger
Yes and when you need more dust and safety protection, you often see outside sockets even inside in factories, workshops and stuff like that. Here in Czechia, we use french socket, I don't like these German schuko sockets.
The way te US outlets are standardized is amazing. In Europe everyone is different One has to be very careful when connecting them in order to make it correct. On the other hand on American outlets if you remove the cover you have live parts directly exposed. inside.
US outlets makes me feel uncomfortable just by looking at them lol. Best ones are UK sockets, then European. I live in EU and I don't know what do you mean with being very careful when connecting them, it's one of the easiest electrical jobs, just screw 3 wires to the right places and you're ready. I do it myself at home, of course after fully cutting off power.
The fact I live in the U.S. and 2 out of the couple of homes I have lived in have for some odd reason had the switches on the wall connected to the outlet being Only for the outlet and I actually prefer having it that way xD. I always would turn off an extension cord before plugging anything in because sometimes the outlet would wanna try and shock you not latley though but I feel like why aren't all houses like this the only time you should have an almost always active outlet is in a restaurant whre you have lots of people coming in who might need to charge their phone.
One thing that is worth knowing most European countries use double pole circuit protection this is simply due to the polarity not being there and it doesn’t exactly add additional levels of safety
Nice video. A lot of US sockets when contractors install them they tend to wrap them in electrical tape too. Adding a tad bit more protection. Also if the install uses solid steel conduit, then a ground/earth lead may be absent as the box itself is grounded. US sockets are very sketchy though. Basically no changes since made.
That makes sense, yeah - those terminals are placed right where someone would instinctively put their hands to pull the socket out of the wall. It really seems like quite a dangerous design - I hope this will change in the future
@@samstech963 I mean I am used to it, so if I am pulling one out while live (Yes, I have changed these outlets many times while live, best practice says to shut power off first) I unscrew the top and bottom, and pull it out from the top/bottom carefully.
Very informative! I've found a difference between your sockets and mine (in wall, Belgium) : we could take the screws off the chassis after popping the frame off the face plate, and it's needed to remove the face plate off the socket assembly (or is it? I've just never done it without removing the chassis 😅)
There is huge variation of sockets in Europe even on a single country and single type when if comes to what it is inside. In the US they seem to be far more standardized. In Finland only an electrician can install sockets so the insides really are not something average user needs to worry.
The only disadvantage of the Schuko System is that the the polarization is not warranted. The phase can be on on the left or right pole and the nutreutral one as well. A lot of firms instal L on the left an neutral on the right. There is no common rule for it. All in all the Bush Jaeger socket is much save than the us one.
AC never matters what polarity it is, current is always rectified. It flows from zero to phase and from phase to zero 50 times per seconds, so it never matters. Trust me, we live like this for decades.
@@Not_SatoruGojo it is not about the polarity. It is that the Phase has voltage to earth and the Neutral not . If you want to check the sockets in a house it is much easier if all sockets are wired the same. For example the left phase, right Neutral,middle clamp or pole PE. It would be dangerous if you clip the phase wire to the PE connection.
5:40 "Busch-Jäger" socket - best quality you can buy. "Mercedes" oder "Cadillac" of the sockets. 6:17 Cheap socket, so called "hardware store quality". I´am licensed electrician / technician, prefer "Busch Jäger" of course.
In Finland all sockets are like this: www.gigantti.fi/image/dv_web_D18000100227449/A222329/ezo-2-paikkainen-maadoitettu-pistorasia--pdp_zoom-3000--pdp_main-960.jpg I have never seen the German style of having two singles next to each other. Some years ago the the sockets were really stupid diagonal ones: cdn.bauhaus.fi/media/catalog/product/cache/569848a67a579fd0e29cbf678dbb39c0/6/0/60507602.jpg I wonder who thought that was a good idea. If the sockets were horizontal it would make more sense.
can someone tell me if we have automated breakers in the u.s. and if this has to do with why not all outlets have a switch to turn them off or should we have a switch incase the breaker doesn't work?
What i find "shocking" about the NA Metal housing is that it looks like there are no Ground connection to it. If the live wire ist bustet and get contact with the case you get quite "Shocked"
There's a brass tab on the yoke of the socket outlet. That provides a bonding, it's usually used the other way around (backbox bonded, socket outlet itself not connected to the CPC). But only if the socket outlet is installed that connection is established. But anyhow, there should be a terminal with a green screw inside for that connection. But I think the green screw is missing on the example shown here. They don't come with that box, need to be purchased separately.
This is German socket. Similar is French, which has better ground connection and is polarized (no live-neutral swap is possible). There is a common plug which fits both. But I think that the Swiss system is the best.
That is relay an disadvantage of the German system. For camping, Industriell devices and permanently currents up to 16A 230V the blue CEE plug can used. In that norm all pole have unique place. But it is not common for home use.
@@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY System used in Brasil and South Africa are designed to be similar to Swiss system and become world standard for 200-250V systems.
The French is only polarized in theory, there's no reg that states on which side the line must be and on which side the neutral has to be. And the earth pin of the socket outlet is prone to break.
European one lois a piece of art , I am from India , we have a switch too 🫨with it i don't know why though , i guess to avoid shock to people and equipment, does it make sense ?
Yeah, it's quite unusual even in Europe! As far as I know it's just Italy that uses it for everything. Though even in the US stranded wires are sometimes used inside conduit for commercial applications
How about Chinese outlets?? 2 pin Japan US / Euro unearthed and 3 pin Aussie outlet that ground outlet at the top but can’t plug Aussie 2 pin plugs without earth pin .
2x is common. In Germany they, however, tend to put two singles side by side. This requires more work but then the cables do not interfere with each other.
I don't have many items from Japan sadly, though I do have a few which I might make a video about in the future. I've written about them on my website: samuele963.github.io/electrics/items_japan.html
@@samstech963 I saw your website first, really cool. I'm the most curious about the twisting connectors and a video gives the best impression of how sturdy they are. Based on pictures and description they seem really sketchy
@@samstech963come to the Philippines , Thailand and also Japan. Outlets also made by Toshiba, Panasonic National and also Royu. Also Schneider Electric.
How about Chinese electrical receptacle ? 2 pin for Chinese US 2 pin without holes in each plugs, also accepts Europlugs in US non polarized + Euro outlets, but 3 pin plug in China is Australian slanted flat pins but ground pin is at the top that also has shutters on 3 pin Chinese outlets but cannot plug 2 pin Australian slanted pin plugs. Also have 16A Chinese plug , Australian 15A plug are not the same and not compatible with each other. Chinese 16A plugs and outlets used for airconditioners, machines, etc. Doesn’t with with Chinese 3 pin 10A plug. 250V 10A for Chinese Aussie style 3 pin plug 250V 6A for US non polarized Chinese plug without holes.
Plug and electrical standards were hastening mostly hastenly set around the turn of the last century by a few industrial conglomerates. If the UK and European countries could go back in time, 120 years or so, all would have chosen the compact NA A/B plug and the much more versatile 120/240 split phase voltage.
how is 120/240v split phase power more versatile? 120v is worse because lower voltage means higher resistance & higher current which means thicker wires
The split phase is a mess. In Europe and Asia (Excluding Japan.) only a 220-240v single phase can power air conditioners and tumble dryers at the same time. Also electric kettle boiled faster than 120v.
Except the U.K. did go back in time, in that it completely started over. So while the north American type A plug was created roughly 120 years ago by Hubbell Incorporated. The BS 1363 plugs used in the U.K. were created by a society of electrical engineers for the government less than 70 years ago, The BS 1363 plugs were essentially a consequence of World War II, in the aftermath of which a priority of government was to rebuild infrastructure lost in bombing raids. It decided a safe all-purpose plug was needed to replace the mixture of different plugs for different amperages that had evolved. A committee of the Institute of Electrical Engineers spent a few years designing a plug around various safety features. It is generally regarded as the safest plug design.
Brazil uses Europlug Type N outlets. Mexico uses America outlets Both Mexico and some states in Brazil use 127V also some states in Brazil uses 220V. Canada and US uses 120V
I agree they could be better but they are not "so dangerous" and flathead, while annoying to work with, applies more torque than phillips and doesn't strip as easily
I hate German sockets as a Czech, we use French sockets and it is mostly compatible, but sometimes it's not when you have some older product made in Germany that doesn't have hole for grounding pin or vice versa our old plugs din't have those 2 holes for German style grounding, it's ridiculous that even neighbor countries can't have the same sockets. Good thing about German sockets is that you can put it vice versa, but on other hand, it's a safety risk and since we are obsessed by safety rules here, we adopted more safe French sockets back in Czechoslovak days. And phase should be always in left, but since these German style sockets are symetric, it's easy to do it vice versa, that's why I think French sockets are safer. I also noticed that some German products like vacuum cleaners, even when it has metal body, it has just 2 pin not grounded wiring! Why? We always think about Germany as very safe hi-tech country with good safety standards, but our Czech products are actually safer. When I replaced cable in my Karcher cleaner (because my father damaged it), I grounded it because that's how it should be, I am surprised that such metal body not grounded german vacuum cleaner is even legal here.
That looks like a German outlet. In Germany they tend to use single ones and wire two of them side by side. This is nice as the cables do not interfere. In Finland they use double sockets where they are one on top of another like in the US socket. In many counties there an still be older ungrounded sockets. In Europe they do not cause a problem as all plugs fit while in the US people cut the ground prongs and do other shady things. people used to do those in Europe in the past but as all the equipment with old ungrouned plugs have been scrapped that is no longer an issue.
American sockets are the worst. The plugs keep falling out all the time. I imagine that's really dangerous. Don’t you constantly have short circuits and defective devices? Here in Europe, when I plug something in, it stays in.
it’s actually better. that version is an outdoor version which is made to be weather proof. also it’s barely bigger than the european version while having 2 outlets while european has 1 outlet
That European outlet is doing half the job the American outlet is doing. I do think the American socket needs an update but I'm not sure dangerous these sockets are in real life. What percentage of fires end up being from sockets? Of course when the government mandates things innovation lags.
you can get zapped when unplugging a north american Plug, by accidently gripping the exposed metal part when it still has power. this is Impossible in the european system.
Our north American versions are nice as mentioned there are those tabs you can "split" the receptacle. You rarely break the neutral side but you can break the hot and have a "split switched" where one half is constant power and the other is switched, common in living rooms and areas where you may want to plug in a lamp but control it from the entrance to a room, yet still have the outlet powered for a phone charger etc. They can also be "split" and wired to provide two circuits, common in kitchens, areas where you want to plug in two high power appliances.
The ones you see here are cheap "residental grade". There are "commercial specification", "industrial specification" and "Hospital" grade receptacles availible that are far more robust than you see here, availible with screw clamp terminals for solid and stranded wire as is now found in commercial and industrial installations.
In european version you can also do that with splice sockets, but you need a modular two ones. Single double sockets unfortunately can't be separated to another circuits.
In kitchens we needn't power double receptacles by two phases, because from one circuit you can get 16A (3680 watts) on 230V mains, higher power devices like induction tops or electric stoves are feed from 400 volts three phases (in Poland we have acces to it in every house)
@@AsXSn I have to say I am kind of jealous that our system isnt straight 230 / 240 volt like it is over there, also being able to have 3 phase present in your house would be a nice option.
I'm in Canada, 347/600V is very common in commercial for lighting (347v) and 600V for larger loads or building distribution and stepped down to 120/208 for basic loads.
We cant even have 3 phase to a house unless it's for some extravagant purpose, it's just 120/240V single phase. Nothing in a dwelling of "more than 125V to ground"
@@REWYRED US/Canada unfortunately stuck in Edison low voltage distribution system, but with AC instead DC, Edison DC system deliver 2x positive legs 110/120V / 240 and 0 / ground, like a symmetrical power supplies in audio amps.
Europe fortunely went to three phase low voltage distribution
@@AsXSn We do have similar in our houses.... 120/240 1 phase 3 wire..
Center tap grounded secondary on the distribution transformer so you in essence get two 120V supplies and still get 240V across the outer hot legs... In this configuration nothing is above "125V to ground" and like a 3 phase system you can share the neutral and it will carry the difference between the two hot conductors... We use the 120V for the typical lights, small appliances and the like, 240V being reserved for appliances like the stove, dryer, central air conditioning, electric heat and some motors like a pool circulator (they can be 120V or dual 120/240V).
Would be nice if small appliances were 240V, could get more on a circuit, and we wouldnt need huge breaker panels for our houses,
24 circuit was minimum. But you can get 32, 48, 64, and up to 84 circuit panels now.
@@REWYRED Here also usually breaker panels in houses can be big like 20-30 circuits typically in new houses.
Our three phase supply unfortunately has one serious problem, it's neutral wire, this is very "sant" , our dystrybution system usually work in TN-C system where neutral have also ground role and is separated in breaker panel or meter cabinet into separated neutral and ground, this should be grounded additionaly by probes or other ground methode.
Sometimes I hear about loose neutral wires in power services what may cause interphase voltages on single phase appliances and damaged it rapidly when neutral in breaker panel isn't grounded good.
Once I hear about problem with neutral wire on main low voltage distribution line from transformer which feed two residential streets, overhead line was old and grounds for neutral wire on poles was on very bad shape, neutral wire unfortunely was damaged behind the transformer and much single phase devices in many houses got damaged. Residentials with newer breaker panels with surge protectors probably was protected when it happen and main breakers in meter cabinet probably trip
North American household electrical system runs on 110/120V, 60Hz with A, B plug&socket type whether Europe and including Russia runs on 220/240V, 50Hz with C, E, F plug&socket type.
Great vid! 😊. I went to your website. It's really neat and interesting.
Thanks! I'm currently working on an updated version, with more items and a better layout!
Nice. And informative.
the us sockets and plugs look like Toys. schuko is just better.
French style sockets are better, I don't know why Germans adopted this weird schuko thing, here in Czechia we use French sockets too, it's ridiculous that even neighboring countries in Europe have slightly different sockets. When you have 3 pin plug, you expect that wiring will be always the same, but with German socket, you can insert it vice versa, ofcourse it's nice to have possiblity to mount stupid L plug vice versa, but on other hand, brown is not phase anymore, I know that it's not a problem for product, but in some rare cases, it could be and when it has grounding pin, It should be mounted always the same. Also, phase hase to be in left hole in socket and with symetric schuko socket, it's easy to flip it and install socket accidentally vice versa, so again - safety risk. With French sytyle, you immediatelly see that it's vice versa when grounding pin is down, not up.
There are US outlets with screwless connections also but they are more expensive so usually DIYers are the ones who install them while professional electricians install ones with screws. But screw connections always have metal connectors on them like you showed on second Eruopean outlet with screw connectors. I never seen connectors with just screws like what you showed.
It's interesting that in Russia after the fall of USSR we changed to European sockets, despite so many electric sockets and plugs were in use. Soviet style sockets had the same round pins with the same distance between them buh they were narrower. So at first adapters were in use which allowed to use modern style plugs in soviet sockets. Nowadays you will hardly find any soviet style socket here.
At my grandma's house we have European outlets, but at my house, we have American ones
Very interesting video. I checked your website too, surprised you know of our (United States) recent mandate of tamper protected outlets.
Yup! Definitely a positive change, though it really needs to apply to ones on power strips and extension cords too, since... it's not like those are magically absent of any danger
cute pfp!
6:32 the one on the left is an inside socket and the one on the right is an outside one.
Yes and when you need more dust and safety protection, you often see outside sockets even inside in factories, workshops and stuff like that. Here in Czechia, we use french socket, I don't like these German schuko sockets.
The American plug needs to be deepened.
The way te US outlets are standardized is amazing. In Europe everyone is different One has to be very careful when connecting them in order to make it correct. On the other hand on American outlets if you remove the cover you have live parts directly exposed. inside.
US outlets makes me feel uncomfortable just by looking at them lol. Best ones are UK sockets, then European. I live in EU and I don't know what do you mean with being very careful when connecting them, it's one of the easiest electrical jobs, just screw 3 wires to the right places and you're ready. I do it myself at home, of course after fully cutting off power.
@@axel-xanType C and F is better than the UK'S atleast the newer versions
@@WatermelonCatLeo a new version of a certain type of socket means it is no longer that standard and it’s another standard
The fact I live in the U.S. and 2 out of the couple of homes I have lived in have for some odd reason had the switches on the wall connected to the outlet being Only for the outlet and I actually prefer having it that way xD. I always would turn off an extension cord before plugging anything in because sometimes the outlet would wanna try and shock you not latley though but I feel like why aren't all houses like this the only time you should have an almost always active outlet is in a restaurant whre you have lots of people coming in who might need to charge their phone.
They are made to plug a lamp
2 screws for American iss for switches and 220 volt stove and dryer
great video 👍 I also like the lighting!
The US box you showed is considered an outdoor or well-location box.
Yup! It's a waterproof box that I was sent along with a 20A GFCI. I just removed the front plastic bit and used it as a normal wall box for the video
One thing that is worth knowing most European countries use double pole circuit protection this is simply due to the polarity not being there and it doesn’t exactly add additional levels of safety
Is that my random bit of Romex wire?
Yup! It was very useful for the video, thanks for sending it!
@@samstech963 Let me know if you need any other items for demonstration!
Thanks! I'll let you know
I thought they use black and blue with yellow green for ground and coming to main panel 2 black one brown and blue and a yellow green for ground
Nice video. A lot of US sockets when contractors install them they tend to wrap them in electrical tape too. Adding a tad bit more protection. Also if the install uses solid steel conduit, then a ground/earth lead may be absent as the box itself is grounded. US sockets are very sketchy though. Basically no changes since made.
That makes sense, yeah - those terminals are placed right where someone would instinctively put their hands to pull the socket out of the wall. It really seems like quite a dangerous design - I hope this will change in the future
@@samstech963 I mean I am used to it, so if I am pulling one out while live (Yes, I have changed these outlets many times while live, best practice says to shut power off first) I unscrew the top and bottom, and pull it out from the top/bottom carefully.
Very informative! I've found a difference between your sockets and mine (in wall, Belgium) : we could take the screws off the chassis after popping the frame off the face plate, and it's needed to remove the face plate off the socket assembly (or is it? I've just never done it without removing the chassis 😅)
Huh, interesting! I think I've seen that on some lightswitches
There is huge variation of sockets in Europe even on a single country and single type when if comes to what it is inside. In the US they seem to be far more standardized. In Finland only an electrician can install sockets so the insides really are not something average user needs to worry.
The only disadvantage of the Schuko System is that the the polarization is not warranted. The phase can be on on the left or right pole and the nutreutral one as well. A lot of firms instal L on the left an neutral on the right. There is no common rule for it. All in all the Bush Jaeger socket is much save than the us one.
We're using AC, polality isn't really matter.
@@DangerWrapyes but also no, sometimes it matters what n and l is. like with oscilloscopes and meassuring stuff.
@@SimonBauer7 It never matters... if it matters your device is crappy... Shuko is 5 times safer and easier
AC never matters what polarity it is, current is always rectified. It flows from zero to phase and from phase to zero 50 times per seconds, so it never matters. Trust me, we live like this for decades.
@@Not_SatoruGojo it is not about the polarity. It is that the Phase has voltage to earth and the Neutral not . If you want to check the sockets in a house it is much easier if all sockets are wired the same. For example the left phase, right Neutral,middle clamp or pole PE. It would be dangerous if you clip the phase wire to the PE connection.
5:40 "Busch-Jäger" socket - best quality you can buy. "Mercedes" oder "Cadillac" of the sockets.
6:17 Cheap socket, so called "hardware store quality".
I´am licensed electrician / technician, prefer "Busch Jäger" of course.
In Finland all sockets are like this:
www.gigantti.fi/image/dv_web_D18000100227449/A222329/ezo-2-paikkainen-maadoitettu-pistorasia--pdp_zoom-3000--pdp_main-960.jpg
I have never seen the German style of having two singles next to each other. Some years ago the the sockets were really stupid diagonal ones:
cdn.bauhaus.fi/media/catalog/product/cache/569848a67a579fd0e29cbf678dbb39c0/6/0/60507602.jpg
I wonder who thought that was a good idea. If the sockets were horizontal it would make more sense.
The company Gira produces high Quality sockets and switches as well.
can someone tell me if we have automated breakers in the u.s. and if this has to do with why not all outlets have a switch to turn them off or should we have a switch incase the breaker doesn't work?
What i find "shocking" about the NA Metal housing is that it looks like there are no Ground connection to it. If the live wire ist bustet and get contact with the case you get quite "Shocked"
There's a brass tab on the yoke of the socket outlet. That provides a bonding, it's usually used the other way around (backbox bonded, socket outlet itself not connected to the CPC). But only if the socket outlet is installed that connection is established. But anyhow, there should be a terminal with a green screw inside for that connection. But I think the green screw is missing on the example shown here. They don't come with that box, need to be purchased separately.
This is German socket.
Similar is French, which has better ground connection and is polarized (no live-neutral swap is possible).
There is a common plug which fits both.
But I think that the Swiss system is the best.
That is relay an disadvantage of the German system. For camping, Industriell devices and permanently currents up to 16A 230V the blue CEE plug can used. In that norm all pole have unique place. But it is not common for home use.
Swiss plug also simmilar to Brazilian plug but not compatible with each other.
@@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY System used in Brasil and South Africa are designed to be similar to Swiss system and become world standard for 200-250V systems.
The French is only polarized in theory, there's no reg that states on which side the line must be and on which side the neutral has to be. And the earth pin of the socket outlet is prone to break.
This socket is the same with indonesian
Can a us socket be wired in Europe ?
European one lois a piece of art , I am from India , we have a switch too 🫨with it i don't know why though , i guess to avoid shock to people and equipment, does it make sense ?
Stranded wire for an electrical installation sounds very weird being from the US.
Yeah, it's quite unusual even in Europe! As far as I know it's just Italy that uses it for everything. Though even in the US stranded wires are sometimes used inside conduit for commercial applications
We use stranded wire here all the time in US!
@@fsherman898 Yeah, but only for (sometimes) wire inside conduit and power cords on appliances.
@@HIDLad001 Service entrance conductors, anything larger than 10AWG is usually stranded wire
@@fsherman898 Yeah they are usually aluminum too.
How about Chinese outlets?? 2 pin Japan US / Euro unearthed and 3 pin Aussie outlet that ground outlet at the top but can’t plug Aussie 2 pin plugs without earth pin .
Chinese outlet = Wanted to be safe as a British but fewer footprint. (They used dummy ground prong for class 2 appliances.)
I wonder why the European ones only take one appliance per wall outlet and the ones in North America can take two.
There are 4x outlet combos available. Just need to have attention on properly setting up of fuses.
@@kabelloseskabel7029 Thanks.
2x is common. In Germany they, however, tend to put two singles side by side. This requires more work but then the cables do not interfere with each other.
Would love to see Japanese connectors in action
I don't have many items from Japan sadly, though I do have a few which I might make a video about in the future. I've written about them on my website: samuele963.github.io/electrics/items_japan.html
@@samstech963 I saw your website first, really cool. I'm the most curious about the twisting connectors and a video gives the best impression of how sturdy they are. Based on pictures and description they seem really sketchy
@@samstech963come to the Philippines , Thailand and also Japan. Outlets also made by Toshiba, Panasonic National and also Royu. Also Schneider Electric.
How about Chinese electrical receptacle ? 2 pin for Chinese US 2 pin without holes in each plugs, also accepts Europlugs in US non polarized + Euro outlets, but 3 pin plug in China is Australian slanted flat pins but ground pin is at the top that also has shutters on 3 pin Chinese outlets but cannot plug 2 pin Australian slanted pin plugs. Also have 16A Chinese plug , Australian 15A plug are not the same and not compatible with each other. Chinese 16A plugs and outlets used for airconditioners, machines, etc. Doesn’t with with Chinese 3 pin 10A plug.
250V 10A for Chinese Aussie style 3 pin plug
250V 6A for US non polarized Chinese plug without holes.
In Thailand is mix a both.
We don’t use that here in the UK even before we left the EU
It’s because it was deemed too expensive to change out things and complicated however we did use the harmonised standards with everything but them
American style seems straight from the wild wide west era. How do you call them wires which connect other wires? Pigtails? 🤣
Plug and electrical standards were hastening mostly hastenly set around the turn of the last century by a few industrial conglomerates. If the UK and European countries could go back in time, 120 years or so, all would have chosen the compact NA A/B plug and the much more versatile 120/240 split phase voltage.
how is 120/240v split phase power more versatile? 120v is worse because lower voltage means higher resistance & higher current which means thicker wires
The split phase is a mess.
In Europe and Asia (Excluding Japan.) only a 220-240v single phase can power air conditioners and tumble dryers at the same time. Also electric kettle boiled faster than 120v.
Except the U.K. did go back in time, in that it completely started over. So while the north American type A plug was created roughly 120 years ago by Hubbell Incorporated. The BS 1363 plugs used in the U.K. were created by a society of electrical engineers for the government less than 70 years ago,
The BS 1363 plugs were essentially a consequence of World War II, in the aftermath of which a priority of government was to rebuild infrastructure lost in bombing raids. It decided a safe all-purpose plug was needed to replace the mixture of different plugs for different amperages that had evolved. A committee of the Institute of Electrical Engineers spent a few years designing a plug around various safety features. It is generally regarded as the safest plug design.
@@gamecubeplayerYou should know, of course, that here in NA we do have separate outlets and plugs for 240 v. We have several in our home.
@@DangerWrapNo mess. We simply have different outlets for 240 v.
Canada use America Outlets
Brazil uses Europlug Type N outlets.
Mexico uses America outlets
Both Mexico and some states in Brazil use 127V also some states in Brazil uses 220V.
Canada and US uses 120V
Usa power socket: 😦
USA socket version is a joke, so dangerous, and still no improvement today. And final blow is slot-headed screw, which should be forbidden to use
I agree they could be better but they are not "so dangerous" and flathead, while annoying to work with, applies more torque than phillips and doesn't strip as easily
@@chrishall2594they are, you can slip in 2 ways, with cross headed you cant.
Japanese Type A outlet (by Panasonic and Toshiba)
South Korea used 110V 60Hz for US outlets but 220V at 60Hz for EUROPE 4.8mm outlets. Appliances from South Korea uses Europlug. Type F
The German made one looks way less sturdy. All springs and small metal bits. No.
I hate German sockets as a Czech, we use French sockets and it is mostly compatible, but sometimes it's not when you have some older product made in Germany that doesn't have hole for grounding pin or vice versa our old plugs din't have those 2 holes for German style grounding, it's ridiculous that even neighbor countries can't have the same sockets. Good thing about German sockets is that you can put it vice versa, but on other hand, it's a safety risk and since we are obsessed by safety rules here, we adopted more safe French sockets back in Czechoslovak days. And phase should be always in left, but since these German style sockets are symetric, it's easy to do it vice versa, that's why I think French sockets are safer.
I also noticed that some German products like vacuum cleaners, even when it has metal body, it has just 2 pin not grounded wiring! Why? We always think about Germany as very safe hi-tech country with good safety standards, but our Czech products are actually safer. When I replaced cable in my Karcher cleaner (because my father damaged it), I grounded it because that's how it should be, I am surprised that such metal body not grounded german vacuum cleaner is even legal here.
That looks like a German outlet. In Germany they tend to use single ones and wire two of them side by side. This is nice as the cables do not interfere. In Finland they use double sockets where they are one on top of another like in the US socket.
In many counties there an still be older ungrounded sockets. In Europe they do not cause a problem as all plugs fit while in the US people cut the ground prongs and do other shady things. people used to do those in Europe in the past but as all the equipment with old ungrouned plugs have been scrapped that is no longer an issue.
Yeah it’s schuko. It also used in post soviet countries
American sockets are the worst. The plugs keep falling out all the time. I imagine that's really dangerous. Don’t you constantly have short circuits and defective devices? Here in Europe, when I plug something in, it stays in.
American is way more dangerous and clumsy...
The UK plugs are the best plugs
American version was not good there is no need such big case and also take space and money to build that outer case
it’s actually better. that version is an outdoor version which is made to be weather proof. also it’s barely bigger than the european version while having 2 outlets while european has 1 outlet
@@llookkttUS plug is among the most dangerous in the world. And wrapping conductors around screws is a very silly idea.
@@IAmThe_RA wrapping conductors is the strongest connection there is
@@chrishall2594 No. It's primitive.
That European outlet is doing half the job the American outlet is doing. I do think the American socket needs an update but I'm not sure dangerous these sockets are in real life. What percentage of fires end up being from sockets? Of course when the government mandates things innovation lags.
you can get zapped when unplugging a north american Plug, by accidently gripping the exposed metal part when it still has power. this is Impossible in the european system.