Why does all the countries have different type of electrical sockets?

Question

There is a different type of socket used by each country, why is it so?h

Answer 1

It's actually for a very good reason. Different power types.

There are generally two different AC frequencies used, 60hz and 50hz (cycles per second) and a couple different voltage ranges.

you wouldn't want to plug your 110V AC boom box into a 220V outlet- it would toast it.

So- they make the plugs different to help you out.

you can, of course, by plug adapters. But- be careful.

Answer 2

Even in the same country different sockets are used . . for different voltages and different types of current eg 415v sockets are different to 240v 10A which are different to 240v 15A which are different to 32v d.c. sockets. Many countries work on similar but not identical systems. In the US 220v outlets are used where in Australia 240v sockets are the standard single phase outlet . . but again there is a difference. Australia works on 50Hz where US is 60 Hz. If an adapter socket is required it makes people think before just using what is available, maybe disastrously. The other reason is individualism as one of the answers suggests . .we all want to be different!

Answer 3

standards that began before people had a chance to adapt to a "universal" system. Much like currency being different in different countries..its hard to change what youre used to. Also many European countries run 220V lines instead of our 120v here in the usa, so that plays a part in that

Answer 4

Because different people designed the different systems at different times. Each thought that their system was best, so they did it their way.

Answer 5

politics