ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Non-US Electrical Systems & Trades A world standard plug system???

Hutch,
Your international socket looks like an Australian skirting socket with the earth pin facing up, am I right?
I agree with a lot of what you said in your 1st post, and I would like to add the following requirements for any new system:
1) 16A Rating
2) 3 Pin plug & socket for all applications, with the socket shutters requiring all 3 pins to operate, thus preventing a class 1 appliance with broken earth pin to be inserted. This would also solve the polarity problem if the round pin (IEC 60906) type were adopted.
3) No recesses on sockets, they must be dirt traps which encourage cleaning with damp cloths etc.
4) Any new system must not be dangerously interchangable with existing systems.

I would also add that there is little point in introducing another plug & socket standard unless ALL major industrialised countries agree to adopt it.
As Ranger said, another standard would be an excuse for more adapters & bodged extension leads.