Brilliant UK plug design

[nuphoria]

This has got to be one of the best design ideas I have seen in a long time 

http://www.madeinmind.co.uk/plug.php

[Andreas]

Saw that one a while ago. I've always thought the UK plug type is ridiculously stupid The plugs used in the rest of Europe, or US, allow for such awesome sized plugs. For instance, this USB charger I have:

[Turnstone]

This plug is amazing! 

[Essexman]

Indeed it is a very clever design, and credit to the guy that came up with it, but............the problem is that it's just a design now. The next step is to engineer it to be built  to the specifications of the British Standard BS1363 Part 1.  

To meet those specs they have to pass a number of type tests designed to ensure the plug will never fail in use, i.e. it will never get too hot under load and never break in a way that it would become unsafe to the user. Trust me , that's a really small summary of what's involved!

I hope by the time they have finished it's not lost too much of the original design, only time will tell.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That's a good bit of design there

[nuphoria]

Indeed it is a very clever design, and credit to the guy that came up with it, but............the problem is that it's just a design now. The next step is to engineer it to be built  to the specifications of the British Standard BS1363 Part 1.  

To meet those specs they have to pass a number of type tests designed to ensure the plug will never fail in use, i.e. it will never get too hot under load and never break in a way that it would become unsafe to the user. Trust me , that's a really small summary of what's involved!

I hope by the time they have finished it's not lost too much of the original design, only time will tell.

The designer is a woman not a guy

I believe the testing bit is all happening and it should be on the market soon. There's info about all that on the site

[J-sews]

Yikes! By the looks of that gargantuan plug you people use, I'm surprised this idea didn't happen years ago!

[Craig]

I'm impressed

[Abstraction]

That's so simple, yet so ingenious! Something like that would absolutely revolutionize the clutter under my desk - then again it may be coming out 5 years too late what with wireless electricity expected to be rolled out within the next few years.

[nuphoria]

That's so simple, yet so ingenious! Something like that would absolutely revolutionize the clutter under my desk - then again it may be coming out 5 years too late what with wireless electricity expected to be rolled out within the next few years.

Good point, but I think it will still be very well received. I too have giant plug monsters breeding in the dark 

[Essexman]

The designer is a woman not a guy

I believe the testing bit is all happening and it should be on the market soon. There's info about all that on the site

Yes I knew it was a woman, I should have corrected that!

From the website - "We are glad to announce that a product range built around this design will be launched in 2010".

This is a bit like those concept cars you see, the final product in the showroom has elements of the concept car, but it can be driven on the road.

Don't get me wrong, it's a really nice idea, and credit to her for such a project. I just hope they don't lose too much of the original design in getting it to work and be certified

Further more, I don't think this will be sold as a rewirable plug that you and I can go and buy in the shops, the real money will be selling as a moulded on (pre wired) plug sold with products.   

[DaveK]

Saw that one a while ago. I've always thought the UK plug type is ridiculously stupid ......

Our plugs are bulky - no doubt, but they are a hell of a lot safer than those used across most of Europe. I've also noticed that it's nigh on impossible to buy and replace plugs on equipment in France, Italy and so on, whereas our plug design does allow a novice to cheaply and easily replace as they need to.

It does have it's pluses.

That design does look clever though - I hope she does well with it.

[Essexman]

What we really could do with is a 13A plug that folds flat when you tread upon it, now that I would buy!

My kids always leave them on the bedroom floor facing upwards, popping in the bedroom to check on them before going to bed is lethal. Broken back, dislocated shoulder, compound leg fracture? Nothing compares to the pain induced from standing a 13A plug bare foot!

[nuphoria]

Yes, they bloody hurt!

We'll just have to wait and see what comes of the designs by the time something is produced. If if it only available as a premolded plug on specific products, I can see Apple scooping this one up 

[Craig]

Our plugs are bulky - no doubt, but they are a hell of a lot safer than those used across most of Europe.

+1 on that, some of the stuff I've seen on holiday scares me