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#144816 01/19/06 05:42 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
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SvenNYC Offline OP
Member
Has anyone who has visited Spain run across one of these?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unusual_and_obsolete_plugs_and_sockets

Wonder how Spain ended up with this style of connector. Probably an effort by the Franco government to isolate the country and boost local manufacturing?

It's similar to the American domestic three-pin plug, but the spacing between the pins is very different.

#144817 01/20/06 04:51 AM
Joined: Dec 2002
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djk Offline
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Yes, I have seen these in Spain, but I am not sure that they're obsolete. They were used on a circuit supplying heaters. I think they may have a very high rating for heavy appliances that need >16A. Although, that plug seems to be rated 16A/250V...

They may also be Spain's alternative connector used for special purposes e.g. the way BS546 round pin connectors are used in the UK.

I notice the socket's fused too. Could it have been a Spanish implementation of ring circuits using fused socket outlets rather than fused plugs?

Like in the UK and Ireland there may also have been an effort to get rid of 2 pin configurations that allowed grounded plugs to be mated with ungrounded round pin outlets by introducing a new totally incompatable system.

Perhaps it was tried and abandoned as schuko became the defacto standard across Europe. Even the italian system is going that way.

[This message has been edited by djk (edited 01-20-2006).]


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