Why do some countries have differently shaped electrical outlets/adapters?
In: Technology
How AC power is delivered is the main reason. In Europe the power coming out of the wall is 240 volts at 50hz however in North America (and parts of central and South America) run on half of that 115v at 60hz. Which means the European plugs have to be larger and have larger Gage wire then the north American standard to handle the current that is being supplied. over the last century we have shifted into these standards by trial and error. During the 19th century there were at least 30 different plug styles in the United States alone until the government stepped on and choose one later changing it from a 2 prong set up adding a 3ed ground wire.
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