A useful source:
https://worldofsockets.com/
This is the most definitive argument that type J is superior to all others:
Image showing an arrangement of 3 swiss plugs in the same footprint as one french one
this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2025
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J is superior. Not only is it the most space efficient, it's safe as the recessed plug prevents incompletely inserted pins from being shorted out if a conductor were to fall atop them.
Type I.
ElectroBoom (Youtube) made some points about Australia's Type I. Seems it was very hard for him to electrocute himself. Lots of breakers on the outlets. I mean he did electrocute himself, but he was always going to.
The breakers aren't on the actual outlets. We just have everything on breakers in the power box. So I think the Australian system is good, but it's not inherently because of the outlets. Other types have the same safety benefits.
Also to add: all lighting and power circuits are required to be on RCBO's or breaker+RCD unless they are extremely old switchboards that havent had any modifications done since the law was introduced (as modifying the switchboard would trigger an rewuired upgrade in most cases).
Any device that is in a common area that can be touched by a non-licenced person (ie non-electrician) should also be on a RCBO, but this isnt as well enforced.
So even if you do manage to youch live parts on the Aus socket/plugs, you will be protected by the RCD/RCBO instantly.
The downside to the Aus socket is that it can be a little tricky/annoying plugging something in when you are reaching behind an object (like a couch or cupboard) and cant see the socket to line it up.
Swiss Type J, because you can have three of them, taking up no more space than one German or French plug.
The UK plug is nice. Very robust, it connects to ground before it reaches the power line and has a switch but it's clunky.
When you unplug them, they have a habit of lying prongs upward. Standing on one naked Lego feel like a shag carpet. and to be honest the fuse isn't really necessary with modern wiring f type plugs don't have fuses in them and I've never had a problem with wires melting or anything. and with older sockets, the little flap that blocks the earth hole tends to get stuck. Apart from that they are the best.
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Well the answer is obviously the UK plug some of those others are just plain bad. The question is are they all made largely obsolete by USB C ? and is that the closest we are likely to get to a universal plug and socket?
The eu has actually been trying for about 30 years has been trying to get universal plug but it keeps getting stopped by massive tech companies because money go up
You going to put 240VAC through USB-C?
No. They are not.
Kitchen appliances like blenders and mixers are going to draw more power than USB-C is capable of delivering even at their lowest settings.
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All outlets should just be replaced with IEC C13. Robust and compact.
Solid choice. Good current handling, already ubiquitous for many applications.
And full of garbage the moment its unplugged
I have a strong preference for the German and Swiss types, but I think we can all agree that Japan massively fucked up. They took the already shitty American plug and just forgot about the ground.
In fairness the Americans don't use the ground.
Depends on the device
I'm always amazed at how many of my friends' houses that were built in the 50s-80s have outlets with the ground hole, but no actual route to ground. One day that's going to bite somebody.
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Still trying to figure out why Germany is listed separately from the EU.
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Name a more painful thing to tread on than the British plug. Bonus points if it's incorrectly wired to be live.
As a Brazilian, that makes me so sad. We used to have a type that could fit European and American plugs, but they just changed it. Never gonna let it go hahaha
As another Brazilian, good riddance to that crap. The current standard is so much better. Anything that is compatible with the American standard is automatically a mistake. Now if only we could standardise the whole country on 220V and drop the need for different 10A/20A sockets...
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I think I would like Australia's over the rest.
The recessed circles I feel like they would gather dust and grime in there if you don't use it often and be tough to clean out.
I like the angles prongs as well as the switch to turn it off and on.
I've never experienced the recessed circles collecting more dust than blowing a single deep breath would solve. And I've never even seen any grime in them. I suppose of you used it outside, but every type would get grimy that way.
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Which ever outlet that allows me to stick a fork in them.
My favourite is this one, it makes things go brrrrrr.
Couldn't find a good photo of the socket online, only the plug. Cba to go take a photo of the socket right now, but I do have it at home and it's fully functional.
Edit: Searching in Estonian yielded results for the socket too. Someone was auctioning a set 7 years ago.
I'll fetch the popcorn.
I got the beer. Thankfully it’s an universal plug
The UK plug is over engineered and looks like something from a steampunk universe, but I think it’s the best plug overall.
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what's type D, ??
Type-M, as I live there. Very convenient, all pins round shaped
If you're a fellow South African, check out the South African sub
Type E is inverted in the picture.
Its India 🇮🇳 Because its easy to use.
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