xkcd #3186: Truly Universal Outlet
Title text:
Building Inspectors HATE This One Weird Trick
Transcript:
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Source: https://xkcd.com/3186/
this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2025
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The UK G type is the only one which is insulated, fused, grounded and polarized by default:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#Comparison_of_standard_types
This is great for electrical safety, though it's a very bulky plug.
Why the hell would I want the plugs to be polarized? Brits really stockholmed themselves into thinking that being unable to turn the plug around is a good feature. This is fine and dandy by Brits' standards.
Same country that convinced itself that you should have one hot and one cold tap, and if you want to get proper temperatured water just fill the basin.. instead of just combining them like the rest of the civilized world.
Exactly. It's best technically but worst for the end user. I am an end user and I would hate to be stuck with that monster of a uniderectional plug. I don't care that it washes my dishes for me if it doesn't fit in my bag and kills me in the night when I step on it.