[lazide]

EU countries have their own history of terrible plugs and outlets, not that far back either. The 2 pin continental plug (when not shuttered, which old outlets aren’t) has all the same issues as the old US two prong plug - but twice the voltage!

Modern US outlets are usually shuttered, and 3 prong grounded outlets have been the required standard since about 1969. Which is over 50 years ago.

[z2]

The Swiss and UK plugs and receptacles are awesome because they have plastic buffers in the plug's prongs and/or receptacle that make it hard to ever be able to touch live metal prongs in a plug that's between 0 and 100% plugged in. Schuko looks pretty safe too and that standard is from almost 100 years ago! I consider myself careful, but have had a metallic cover and a pen fall onto North American plugs that were partially exposed (thus shorting hot with neutral). Both times the outlet had tamper resistant shutters which did nothing to prevent ensuing fireworks.

[tails4e]

Yes the UK plug design is the best I've seen. Mandatory 3rd pin to open the shutters, insulated prongs until they are well disconnected, and very solid fit. More often than not I see plugs half falling out of US sockets, with live and exposed terminals. Thankfully it is only 110v, but still a fire hazard

[rodgerd]

The UK plug is the gold standard, and for me it's one of those things that would have been great if they concepts had become the norm.

[bombcar]

The mains issue I have with them is just how big they are.

Given how many things I have plugged in on or around my desk, I’d need power strips the size of a large dog to plug them all in UK style. Whereas US they all fit in the size of a very small cat.

[lazide]

Too bad it weighs so much :s

Also, stepping on one in the dark is a… life changing experience! Definitely pretty solid though.

[foobarian]

I have fond memories of toddling around an under-construction room, picking up a screw and sticking it into a 220V outlet. Huge round holes, compared to narrow slits in the US.