Talk:AC power plugs and sockets

Extending information in the standards comparison table

Gawaon says that adding a new column made the table harder to read on narrow screens, and the information is available in the same page anyway; I agree that, but I think the purpose of such a comparison table is summarizing such key information in one table, so the user don't have to find them across the entire page, which is quiet long. Take example of the column 'Polarized', the same information is already included in early sections of the same page; yet it provided quick comparison for this feature across different standards.

Is there a way to deal with the table width issue, for example by making some columns optional? Low power (talk) 05:50, 19 January 2026 (UTC)

I agree that the info is kinda interesting, though it seems less essential to me than most of the other columns that are already there. I don't know about "optional" columns and think that, if we want to add a new column, we have to delete one of the existing ones to prevent to table from becoming even wider – too wide for many laptop and tablet screens. The "Fused" column is a bit boring, since only the British types are fused – required for G, optional for the older ones. So potentially we could delete that column as less interesting and add the "Recessed socket" column instead. What would you and others here think about that? Gawaon (talk) 06:24, 19 January 2026 (UTC)

I don't think the table gets too wide. The information is available outside the table, so the table is there for people accessing the page via a device where tables are a useful format - and that includes having a reasonably wide screen, or being willing to scroll sideways. However, we might reorder columns so that the least important come last. Nø (talk) 11:07, 19 January 2026 (UTC)

OK, if nobody else shares my concerns about it, I guess I can live with you re-adding the new column, Low power. Gawaon (talk) 03:40, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

Standard for Australasian 25 A and 32 A plugs and sockets?

The page is currently suggesting that AS/NZS 3112 also defined the 25 A and 32 A plug and socket variants, however I couldn't find any of such definitions from AS/NZS 3112; this standard defined only the 10 A, 15 A and 20 A variants.

Does anyone known which standard defined those 2 higher-rated variants? Low power (talk) 02:09, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

That seems mysterious indeed. The Museum of Plugs and Sockets has a page for them, but the only standard it mentions is an old NZ standard: SNZ 198 1168 (and that's actually for a 10 A plug, so it may be irrelevant). A vendor page says "Compliance: AS/NZS 3112:2011+A3", while this one states "AS/NZS 1150:2004 +A1". The closest standard matching this I could find is AS 1150-1983, a withdrawn standard about "Artificial illumination in ships".

Intriguing indeed! If you're able to find out more, keep us informed. Gawaon (talk) 03:38, 20 January 2026 (UTC)

CEE 7/6 plugs

As per edit 1345496580, not sure what was wrong, looked OK on preview. What source do you expect? I surely won't randomly link to electronics wholesale stores, and there ain't no reason to pick up random corporate brands to link to either, somebody could easily complain it's advertisement. That one on the picture is easily recognisable as Legrand (model 050415), if it's available here, they surely sell in on their home market (France). ABB makes several variants as well (e.g. 5534N-C02100, 5536-2154 and others). Many other brands do, they often have both 7/6 and 7/7 models in their portfolio. Large portion of (especially cheaper) stuff gets imported from Poland so obviously they sell it on their home market as well. Behemot (talk) 21:49, 26 March 2026 (UTC)

All right, I found a source confirming what you say and have re-added a variant of your wording, with the source added. The breakage had happened in a totally different section, on the "Thai plug TIS 166-2549" – I suppose you must have accidentally changed something there which you didn't notice when saving. Gawaon (talk) 09:32, 27 March 2026 (UTC)

Trimming the article

I think this article (more specifically the 'Standard types in present use' part) is way too long. There is a sheer overload of information in that part. It also makes it extremely difficult to grasp and navigate on mobile. Per WP:TOOBIG it is a good idea to trim this completely.

Many of the types listed here already have their own main articles like CEE 7 and SN 441011. Therefore it is a good idea to trim the overload of info here and keep them shorter and simpler. There is now a new dedicated article for the Italian standard and unless there are disagreements I will plan to build for others here too like Argentine and Chinese, and after that reduce the parts here. PowerTechnician (talk) 19:25, 12 April 2026 (UTC)

Yeah, some trimming is a good idea, but I wouldn't remove too much info from here. The more specialized stuff belongs into separate articles, but the basic form factors and properties should remain easily accessible in this article too, in my view. Gawaon (talk) 19:30, 12 April 2026 (UTC)

I agree. Trimming is needed but it shouldn't turn into a desert of bullet lists either. Also, a dedicated current British standard/plug article to be created as well which is currently on AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types (another article that is too overloaded and a confusing scope). PowerTechnician (talk) 19:56, 12 April 2026 (UTC)

Hmm, but that already is the article for the British types? Though maybe it would be good to separate the old BS 546 from the newer BS 1363, yes. Gawaon (talk) 21:13, 12 April 2026 (UTC)

Yep that's what I meant! It is in fact similar to this being too long and difficult to navigate on mobile. Also the old BS 546 continues use today in some countries like India, so it makes sense for it to deserve a dedicated article which can only be expanded further on. PowerTechnician (talk) 01:57, 13 April 2026 (UTC)

Also by the way I just noticed now that this article contains a complete copy-paste of the CEE 7 article plugs. So much detailed info that is already in its own dedicated article are all here too no wonder why this article is so overloaded! I'll have to trim and summarise these too. PowerTechnician (talk) 14:51, 14 April 2026 (UTC)

The CEE section was a little shorter at the end of March 2019 but agree it could use even more trimming today. Go for it! --Wtshymanski (talk) 15:33, 15 April 2026 (UTC)

I've just done much trimming to the CEE 7 part! I prefer to go even further but I'll keep it in case you or others may not want it too much. I've also trimmed the Swiss part (for similar reason of too much when it has its own page). PowerTechnician (talk) 23:01, 16 April 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for your edits! I think the CEE part is condensed enough now and would be sceptical regarding further trimming. The only possibility is the short section on "CEE 7/16 Alternative I" – as that plug is essentially unused, I think we could delete it and instead mention that plug alternative in a single sentence at the end of the Europlug section. But as the section is already very short, that won't make much of a difference.

Regarding Italy, I think your trimmings went a bit too far, so I've restored a short description of the ubiquitous hybrid sockets. Gawaon (talk) 08:30, 17 April 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for the feedback. It's great to see the article a bit clearer and tidier. I've also just now created a new dedicated page for the Danish one, DS 107-2-D1. Being its own article opened the door for further expansion and it means I could research its history, further details etc. and reference it well so this has been very good. - Also I made a dedicated BS 546 again for similar reason and is now more detailed and referenced than it was before. PowerTechnician (talk) 12:45, 17 April 2026 (UTC)

Very good! Gawaon (talk) 19:49, 17 April 2026 (UTC)

And just completed BS 1363 again not just copied over but expanded upon and references added! This one was very necessary as well because AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types was way too big and (like this article) was almost impossible to navigate through in mobile view because of that layout. It's looking much better now I'm glad to say and hopefully a lot more accessible to readers. PowerTechnician (talk) 16:46, 20 April 2026 (UTC)

Thanks! I've noticed that there are several cite errors on the new page (see the "References" section). To fix them, you'll likely need to copy the full references from here instead of just the name; that easily happens when a reference is invoked several times. Gawaon (talk) 18:48, 20 April 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for letting me know. I'll have to take a look at that later on. As for this article it's looking a lot better but there still seems maybe too much in the Type I (Australian/Argentinian/Chinese) section? The latter two don't have dedicated articles but already contain information at AS/NZS 3112. I've decided that (unlike the other things I've created) this one's not so necessary right now and I'll leave it to anyone else who thinks it's good to create it. - Also I considered an article for the "French" Type E plug (its detailed info is currently on CEE 7) but have decided not necessary right now from my personal view. PowerTechnician (talk) 18:55, 20 April 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for your efforts! I agree that additional articles don't seem strictly necessary now. I revised the Type I connector section some time ago to focus on differences and commonalities, while avoiding unnecessary repetition. Maybe the AS/NZS 3112 part could be shortened a bit because of the separate article, but otherwise I think that section is in decent shape.

The total word count is now around 9000 – at the upper end of what's recommended for a single article, but not excessive. Gawaon (talk) 19:15, 20 April 2026 (UTC)

No worries! Yes that's good for now I think. I'll probably have a bit of a break now and see what else I can improve on later on. PowerTechnician (talk) 19:19, 20 April 2026 (UTC)

@PowerTechnician: Two more notes: Please use relative images sizes – |upright=1 is the default, just |upright means |upright=.7 and is meant for images in portrait mode, use |upright=1.15 or similar to make is larger than the default, |upright=0.9 etc. to make it smaller. Absolute sizes in pixel should be avoided.

And don't confuse MOS:SAND, short for MOS:SANDWICH, with the sandbox in your edit summaries. They are not the same! Gawaon (talk) 09:01, 17 April 2026 (UTC)

Oops sorry for that mistake PowerTechnician (talk) 13:01, 17 April 2026 (UTC)