Responses interspersed.
_____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Stephen Humphreys Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 14:28 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:45730] Re: Measurement in the UAE I would say it's probably what you're used to. Not really (at least in my case). Although I'm used to the US ones, I prefer the Australian ones (and I've only been to Australia three times). I find the US ones fiddly/flimsy and easy to knock out of the socket. I agree. The only real advantage is that, when you're finished vacuuming (or using any electrical device), you don't have to go over to the socket to unplug the cord. You can just jerk it out. :) 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. Technically, I like that too. However, the little sliding covers in the live and neutral sockets are really only necessary to keep little kids' fingers out of them. With the US sockets, the kids can't get their fingers in them in the first place-although they could stick something metallic in. Of course, parents should let their small offspring play with small metallic objects in the first place. The usual US and Canadian solution to that is a dummy plug that can't be pulled out of the socket by little hands. However, it's definitely good to err on the side of safety. I also like the durability of the plug and its solidity when pushed home. That is a good attribute. I agree. Finally I like the fact there's a fuse inside. What's a fuse? Seriously, though, we use circuit breakers here. The initial cost is higher, but it's hard to run out of them. Remember that the Republic of Ireland has the same system. Good for them, although I'm not sure what that proves. ;) And, bizarrely, Grenada (West Indies). If you say so. Changing the UK/Eire plugs is probably as likely as us changing the side we drive on ;-) Probably so. Bill _____ Bill Potts W <http://wfpconsulting.com/> FP Consulting Roseville, CA <http://metric1.org/> http://metric1.org [SI Navigator] _____ 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 W <http://wfpconsulting.com/> FP Consulting Roseville, CA <http://metric1.org/> 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 <mailto:[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <mailto:[email protected]> 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_a663d0694 bd142cb9aeda13c81438ed4.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. _____ Have more than one Hotmail account? Link them <http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/167688463/direct/01/> together to easily access both.
