[ralph84]

There are multiple different plug types used within the EU.

[saiya-jin]

They are slightly different but inter-compatible when using only 2-plug (without ground IIRC). Which means basically all non-energy-intense appliances including ie TVs. Heck, even Switzerland is compatible with them all.

Notable exception of course are British, but they are not part of EU as we all know too well.

It makes life so much easier. I can't understand why anybody would ever oppose this, either vested interest or butthurt ego?

[crote]

To a large extent, the 3-plug version with ground is also compatible.

The CEE 7/7 plug works both in the Schuko Type F socket and the French Type E socket. The former covers 30ish countries, the latter covers 5.

The only countries which do not use either E or F are:

- Denmark, which is the only country to use Type K. It (relatively) recently allowed installing E or F sockets too, so K will probably die out over time.

- Italy, which is the only country to use Type L. It is rapidly switching to L+F hybrids, as most devices sold these days are equipped with CEE 7/7

- Ireland, which uses the British plug. As far as I am aware, no intention to change. Doing so would probably start a civil war.

And outside the EU there are the UK and Switzerland.

[Symbiote]

Ireland, Malta and Cyprus are still in the EU, with British standard plugs.

The EU considered this years ago, and decided the switch wasn't worth the cost.

[jen20]

Not all are compatible. There are at least two different diameters of pin, not to mention several variations on three pins. I hit this myself this week.

The type G plug is the best design available, by a very long way. If anything, that should be adopted by the EU and indeed the rest of the world.

[saiya-jin]

curious, what makes G type better?

[jen20]

A non-exhaustive list:

- fused in the plug

- longer earth pin opens the live terminals to prevent accidental or inadvertent insertion into the live or neutral parts of the socket

- sockets are usually switched which avoids sparks when plugging in

[JAlexoid]

They're an over engineering person's wet dream.

They have multiple safety features that stem from ancient wiring systems used in UK, but they aren't inherently "better".

They don't even deliver more power, for the bulkiness of them.

[ragebol]

Fair point. Those different plugs are standardized though so adapters & travel plugs can be made. I wondered why this has not yet been standardized EU-wide, but of course the cost of doing so would be huge, since those plugs & outlets are built into millions of buildings. Whereas phones and electronics change much faster and can thus more easily be transitioned, I suppose.

[yellowapple]

> the cost of doing so would be huge, since those plugs & outlets are built into millions of buildings

You could always grandfather in old construction and only enforce the standard for new construction or renovations.