Here is something for die-hard ECN members. The rest of you probably don't give a damn and can jump to the next thread. You've been warned...

Remember all that talk of a world standard plug we had last year?

A whole bunch of of different plugs and sockets has been in use in Brazil, apparently with little in the way of regulation. The authorities are now set to tighten up the rules by mandating that cords and plugs come with a Brazilian approval. The plugs in use include the good old Nema 5-15 but now also two versions of the IEC 60906-1: 10A and 20A, both in the NBR 14136. Some manufacturers (e.g. Volex) already offer cordsets with these plugs.

I suppose I have to add another type of plug to my list: Type N.

One of the sources: http://www.ul.com/about/otm/otmv9n3/brazil.html

This is a bit interesting from an Europe vs. America perspective. Other connectors used on both sides of the Atlantic, like the IEC 320 C19 and IEC 309, carry a 16A (100%) rating for Europe and 20A rating with a 80% rule for America. Brazil appears to mix American and European practice and the uprating from 16A to 20A is in line with this practice.

I'll leave it to my fellow ECN members to develop the ideas...