I would say it's probably what you're used to.I find the US ones fiddly/flimsy and easy to knock out of the socket.I like the UK plugs because the earth prong releases locks on the live and neutral sockets, keeping them closed until the longer prong unlocks them.I also like the durability of the plug and it's solidity when pushed home.Finally I like the fact there's a fuse inside. Remember that the Republic of Ireland has the same system. And, bizarrely, Grenada (West Indies). Changing the UK/Eire plugs is probably as likely as us changing the side we drive on ;-)
From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [USMA:45729] Re: Measurement in the UAE Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 13:14:53 -0700 It would be nice if the UK would standardize on the European-style plugs and sockets (which do have their own country-to-country compatibility problems). The UK three-conductor (three-prong) plug is much larger than it needs to be. My favorite plugs, though, are the Australian ones. The three-prong ones are reasonably compact and, typically, very robust. For two-prong plugs, the angling of the flat prongs (which is identical to that of the three-prong plugs) is much better than the US/Canadian practice of using a slightly wider prong for the ground-potential conductor. I suspect the US/Canadian (and Japanese) molded plugs are the lowest-cost ones, though. Bill Bill Potts WFP Consulting Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator] From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Payne Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 07:49 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:45728] Re: Measurement in the UAE I don't think this is an entirely accurate picture. I lived in Abu Dhabi from 1980 -1983. All the fuel I bought for my car there was in Liters. I don't remember what they used at the airport in the 80's, but the last time I was in Dubai last year they were selling fuel by the liter at the airport. Adnoc is the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, they may keep records in Imperial Gallons or even Barrels. Maybe that's what the reporter is alluding to. I've still got the vehicle log book (and the vehicle) I bought in Abu Dhabi back in 1980. I looked in the logbook, all fuel was in litres! I agree it's a smart move to standardize everything to SI and ISO. I'm glad to see them doing it. I remember they used to use the English type of square pin plugs. Many countries have been waiting for some sort of international standard before changing the type of electrical plug on appliances, etc. I know South Africa has been waiting to do this for about 40 years now. They use the old 3 and 2 pin round plugs. While I like the US style plug, I think 220 V countries will standardize on the European style plugs. Mike Payne ----- Original Message ----- From: John M. Steele To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Sunday, 30 August 2009 10:51 Subject: [USMA:45721] Measurement in the UAE This article http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/8/Pages/29082009/08302009_a663d0694bd142cb9aeda13c81438ed4.aspx indicates the United Arab Emirates has a mess of Imperial and metric measurement, including dispensing fuel in Imperial gallons. The article discusses a plan to change over to using the SI exclusively, beginning next year, with dispensing fuel in litres. _________________________________________________________________ Save time by using Hotmail to access your other email accounts. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/167688463/direct/01/
