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British Plugs Are Better Than All Other Plugs, And Here's Why

Tom Scott3 HN recommenders · recommended in 4 months, 2019–2025
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explainer · general · evergreen · 2019–2025 on HN

Tom Scott explains the design of the British BS 1363 plug and socket, including fuses, shutters and safety features, and why he thinks it beats other plugs.

HN treats it as the obligatory video to share whenever plugs and sockets come up, praised for its safety reasoning.

12 comments from Hacker News

@lewiscollard2019-08 · in “North American versus European distribution systems (2011)”

For anyone that does not know why, as rarely as I recommend videos I very much suggest Tom Scott's video "British Plugs Are Better Than All Other Plugs, And Here's Why": ▶ this video

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@stevekemp2023-09 · in “Plug and socket types around the world”

It is true they can sting a little, but that aside I have a strong preference for them too - almost certainly because i grew up with them! There's the obligatory Tom Scott video here, which always gets shared, deservedly so, whenever the topic of plugs and sockets comes up: ▶ this video

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@tentacleuno2021-11 · in “Museum of Plugs and Sockets”

> The only real advantage of the British plug over Schuko is the fuse (a debatable feature) Could I ask why a fuse is debatable? Seems like quite a basic security feature. There's a good video[0] on the design of UK plugs if you're interested. [0]: ▶ this video

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@stevekemp2019-07 · in “Why Three Prongs? (1996)”

Why Britain has the best wall sockets on earth: ▶ this video Sure there is bias there, but the reasoning is pretty compelling. Of course getting any country to switch is nigh-on impossible.

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@throw0101d2025-04 · in “BS 1363 British Plugs and Sockets”

Obligatory Tom Scott video on the topic: * ▶ this video Bonus: "Why Britain Uses Separate Hot and Cold Taps": * link