Notifiblog: AC power plugs and sockets!

Yes, you read it right. I got curious about the differences amongst electric outlets and plugs around the world. You can't just take your favorite electic lamp anywhere and get it to work, y'know. I have limited blog time today, so I'll let this Wikipedia article do most of the talking.
(from Wikipedia) "When electricity was first introduced into houses, it was primarily used for lighting. At that time, many electricity companies operated a split-tariff system where the cost of electricity for lighting was lower than that for other purposes. This led to portable appliances (such as vacuum cleaners, electric fans, and hair driers) being connected to light bulb sockets using lampholder plugs."

(from Wikipedia) "There are two basic standards for voltage and frequency in the world. One is the North American standard of 120 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz, and the other is the European standard of 220–240 volts at 50 Hz. The differences arose for historical reasons as discussed in the article mains electricity. Usually NEMA type sockets and plugs are used on 60 Hz systems, and CEE and other types are used on 50 Hz systems, but exceptions exist."

Ever wonder why one blade is larger than the other on a polarized plug? "Where the building wiring system defines a "neutral" conductor that is connected to earth, it is an advantage for appliance designers to preserve that distinction. This requires a plug that can only be connected in one way to the socket, so that the energised and neutral conductors are not interchanged. Such "polarized" plugs are not interchangeable with non-polarized sockets. Wiring systems where both circuit conductors have a significant potential with respect to earth do not benefit from polarized plugs."

The rest of the article covers the various size, number and combination of blades and pins--even the distance between blades! There are photos of plugs and sockets from around the world--and some obsolete types, too!

BTW, today is my 99th Notifiblog post since I began posting "worldwide."  :-)