British Plugs Are Better Than All Other Plugs, And Here's Why
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN treats it as the obligatory video to share whenever plugs and sockets come up, praised for its safety reasoning.
What it is
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.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 4 different months, 2019 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec lewiscollard · 2019-08 · on “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]
Recommends stevekemp · 2019-07 · on “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.
Recommends tentacleuno · 2021-11 · on “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]
Recommends stevekemp · 2023-09 · on “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]
Cites traceroute66 · 2021-11 · on “Corded headphones are making an unexpected return”
>metal savings.... why every UK plug is fused Metal savings is why every plug is fused ? How does that even make sense when historically fuses were all metal construct instead of the modern ceramic whatnots. And anyway, fused plugs were not a requirement until ... 1992: "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Plugs and Sockets Etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 to require pre-wired plugs to be fitted to all domestic appliances by the manufacturer." (Citation: HC Deb, 29 January 1992, c955). As far as I know, the war has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with fuses in plugs. It was just introduced as part of the modernisation of UK electricity rules. If you look at historical house
Cites tiziano88 · 2021-11 · on “Museum of Plugs and Sockets”
If I had to choose a plug to use all over the world, it would actually probably be the UK one (or perhaps a slightly less bulky version of it). See [this video]
Cites spacedcowboy · 2022-09 · on “Ranking the 25 Most Painful Lego to Step On”
As a Brit, none of these come even remotely close to the pain of treading on an upturned plug. Now you can take these plugs out of my cold, dead hands, I love those plugs with a frankly alarming passion, but $deity$ do they hurt to step on. Tom Scott [1] has all the reasons why. [1] [this video]
Cites irjustin · 2022-09 · on “Learn how to unleash the full potential of the type system of TypeScript”
> It's easier to connect a European plug which has 2 round pins than it is to connect a UK plug which has 3 rectangular pins at different angles. Speaking strictly on plugs - while I agree it is simpler/easier - I disagree that EU plug is better. For the bulk and lack of directionality - significantly safer (pin lengths, shielded to tip), requires a ground pin even if dummy, carries 13A easy! The safety aspects are incredible[0]. I do not worry about my small children at all. Lived in HK where the EU (China) and UK (HK) are pretty common in one household. [0] [this video]