I just think this is a bit funny: The Norwegian 230V IT (isolated earth) system is known in Norway not as the IT or even the Norwegian system. Instead it's called an "Albania-anlegg".

I can imagine the reasoning behind: "This system we designed wasn't very good. Let's find someone else to blame."

(Ironically, Albania uses the same system as the rest of Europe)

I suppose everybody looks for a scapegoat.

Is there any other significance about the use of the Albanian tag in Norway? (Sort of like Irish jokes in the U.K., or Polish jokes in America?)

Not that I know of. If there had been, I don't think people would have taken it to be true. (They really think it is Albanian)

Usually Norwegians make fun of Swedes. Sorry, East-Norwegians... And we make fun of them. I think this love-hate relationsship has lasted ever since our countries split up in 1905.

I guess that's the same since Ireland split from the U.K. over 80 years ago.

Dave, do you get fed up with all the jokes, or do you just give back as good as you get?

Just look at the General section of the board...plenty of North vs. South USA jokes there