[Davey]

On Tue, 3 Jan 2012 11:59:03 +0000 (UTC)
"Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote:

David Looser wrote:

I agree, the BS1363 plug is not my favourite design. Some years ago
there was a serious attempt to introduce a EU standard plug &
socket, an attempt that failed because of the NIH
(not-invented-here) factor. I rather like the German 'Shucko'
socket and would be happy to see it replace the BS1363 socket here,
but can you image the reaction of the Daily Mail readers? :-)

Shucko plugs have grounding problems. They rely on the plug being all
the way in (ground is connected AFTER the mains) and an easily bent
spring in the outlet.

Much better is a 230 volt version of the US 3 prong plug, two round
pins like the standard EU ungrounded plug, with a slightly longer
ground pin in the center and below them like this:

O O
O

The advantage is that unless you work at it, the ground pin makes
contact first.

Why have the ground pin below the power pins? If anything falls on a
partially inserted plug, then it will hit the power pins and produce a
short, whereas if the ground pin was on top, it would be the one
that was hit, and would be safer. It might even just bounce off with no
sound and light effects.
During my time in the US, I saw both methods used indiscriminately,
although the way you show was, oddly, the official one.
--
Davey.