XPost: uk.tech.broadcast, uk.tech.digital-tv, uk.rec.audio   
   XPost: sci.electronics.repair   
   From: david.looser@btinternet.com   
      
   "Eiron"  wrote in message   
   news:9mg55iF5j0U1@mid.individual.net...   
   >   
   > Can I just mention another example of European Union lunacy?   
   > Voltage is standardized at 230v +- a fudge factor so that the UK   
   > can keep to 240v and the rest of Europe can keep 220v with no plans   
   > for any country to adopt 230v. Now that is dumb!   
      
   I'm not sure it is so dumb   
   There always was a tolerance range on the UK 240V mains, what happened was   
   that these tolerance limits were widened and re-centred on 230V. But these   
   new limits are now EU-wide so any equipment manufactured to these new limits   
   (230V +/- 10%) is suitable for sale anywhere within the EU.   
   >   
   > And the UK plugs are rather large. That would be a valid criticism.   
   > It spoils the lines of a laptop bag....   
   >   
   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? :-)   
      
   David.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)