Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by trollbridge 209 days ago
A trick (on U.S. airlines) is to plug in an overseas adapter (British style plugs seem to work pretty well for this purpose), since those prongs see far less use and still grip well.
1 comments

British plugs are just better anyway. The rectangular pins have far better contacts mechanically and electrically and they're arranged in a triangle so the plug can't wobble its way out.

It's really a very good design.

Indeed! Also:

- The outlets have shutters preventing access to the contacts, until the longer earth pin is inserted

- The live pins are on the bottom, making contact harder if it's partially pulled out. And the live pins have sleeved sections so even less live metal is exposed.

- The cable drop is at 90 degrees, typically causing less pull on the plug

Also when the cable is pulled out of the plug by force, the live disconnects first, then neutral, and only then earth.
You pay for it though, both in terms of extra manufacturing costs (presumably) and weight/bulk. Compare the north american apple usb-c power adapter to the british one:

https://store.storeimages.cdn-apple.com/1/as-images.apple.co...

https://store.storeimages.cdn-apple.com/1/as-images.apple.co...

The lower power versions have collapseble pins though:

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/mgtv4b/a/40w-dynamic-p... (the clonking sound is extremely satisfying!)

The high watt chargers are heavy regardless

Does that US version even stay in the socket given the weight?

Tbh it's pretty tiny price to pay. And 5 -pack of double sockets costs £13 btw! ($17 ish)

BS1363 is an abortion.