So when does the new standard come into place?

I'm gonna stock up on the old style Aussie plugs [Linked Image]

I wish they would do the sheathing on the American type plugs. The Japanese (who use the same type of plug config) already do it on theirs:

[Linked Image from volexasia.com]

The pins are the same dimensions, so if the Australians can do it, so can the American plug manufacturers.

Also, it would force plug contact manufacturers to drop the silly folded sheet metal blade design that is easily bent and damaged and instead opt for the sturdier solid blades like the Aussies have done.

Unfortunately our standards are not as enforceable...unless you get the idea into the Chinese manufacturers' heads who currently think that ALL American plugs molded onto cordsets have to be polarized to get UL listing... even when its a tape recorder cordset with the figure-8 connector on the other end is NOT polarized!!! [Linked Image]