Skip to content
0
  • Home
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
  • Home
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Brite
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (Sketchy)
  • No Skin
Collapse

Wandering Adventure Party

  1. Home
  2. Uncategorized
  3. Notes for Americans:

Notes for Americans:

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Uncategorized
235 Posts 162 Posters 2 Views
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

    RE: https://nomenloony.com/@nomenloony/116019280517956996

    Notes for Americans:

    1. Until 1992 you had to wire your own plugs onto new electrical appliances in the UK (they were sold without pre-molded plugs).

    2. Mains voltage is 230VAC, not 110VAC. It'll kill ya.

    3. If you follow ChatGPT's advice *YOU WILL DIE*.

    Dave TownsendM This user is from outside of this forum
    Dave TownsendM This user is from outside of this forum
    Dave Townsend
    wrote last edited by
    #165

    @cstross one saving grace here is that ChatGPT's plug has its pins in completely the wrong position so you're not actually going to be able to plug it into a socket anyway

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • ChristopherD Christopher

      @cstross When people used to list life skills they thought should be taught in schools rather than academic subjects, how to wire a plug was a popular choice. So also was how to balance a chequebook.

      leah & flutters & nose, oh my!M This user is from outside of this forum
      leah & flutters & nose, oh my!M This user is from outside of this forum
      leah & flutters & nose, oh my!
      wrote last edited by
      #166

      @dearlove @cstross basic bookkeeping is still an essential skill - it just doesn't involve actual cheques any more

      ChristopherD 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • Stuart Longland (VK4MSL)S Stuart Longland (VK4MSL)

        @cstross I would have thought, given it appears to be connecting live to earth, it'd trip the RCD rather quickly.

        leah & flutters & nose, oh my!M This user is from outside of this forum
        leah & flutters & nose, oh my!M This user is from outside of this forum
        leah & flutters & nose, oh my!
        wrote last edited by
        #167

        @stuartl @cstross puts a whole new spin on coming up short 😉

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

          There are WORSE AI-generated images of how to wire a UK mains plug. Here's one I saved last year.

          [Yaseenist] CauseOfBSODC This user is from outside of this forum
          [Yaseenist] CauseOfBSODC This user is from outside of this forum
          [Yaseenist] CauseOfBSOD
          wrote last edited by
          #168

          @cstross ah yes the four wire uk plug with 2 pins

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

            @dresstokilt I'm talking about the UK. Where EVERYTHING runs on 230v and nothing came with a plug prior to 1992. Read for context!

            [Yaseenist] CauseOfBSODC This user is from outside of this forum
            [Yaseenist] CauseOfBSODC This user is from outside of this forum
            [Yaseenist] CauseOfBSOD
            wrote last edited by
            #169

            @cstross @dresstokilt and you still see stuff with rewireable plugs fairly frequently (although molded plugs are getting more common)

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • Sean FenianZ Sean Fenian

              @cstross@wandering.shop I love the BS1363 plug. US wall plugs are FLIMSY JUNK.

              Also, ChatGPT doesn't even have the PINS in the right places.

              I saw a similar LLM-generated diagram of how to wire an outlet into a wall box. It was even more surreal.

              RolloTreadwayR This user is from outside of this forum
              RolloTreadwayR This user is from outside of this forum
              RolloTreadway
              wrote last edited by
              #170

              @cstross @zakalwe There's not much that's good about the UK, but our plugs are exceptional.

              mtconleyukM 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

                @uep You called, sir?

                Vlad 🇺🇦V This user is from outside of this forum
                Vlad 🇺🇦V This user is from outside of this forum
                Vlad 🇺🇦
                wrote last edited by
                #171

                @cstross @uep Luckily there’s no olympic ski jumping for rats otherwise we’d be on to a wi(e)nner

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

                  RE: https://nomenloony.com/@nomenloony/116019280517956996

                  Notes for Americans:

                  1. Until 1992 you had to wire your own plugs onto new electrical appliances in the UK (they were sold without pre-molded plugs).

                  2. Mains voltage is 230VAC, not 110VAC. It'll kill ya.

                  3. If you follow ChatGPT's advice *YOU WILL DIE*.

                  Medea VanamondeM This user is from outside of this forum
                  Medea VanamondeM This user is from outside of this forum
                  Medea Vanamonde
                  wrote last edited by
                  #172

                  @cstross @purplepadma @nomenloony

                  The Fake AI and The Real Darwinowing

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • Steve GloverA Steve Glover

                    @cstross 1.a) The UK still had homes wired with the old round pin (2,5,15 amp) plugs until stupidly late.

                    A 2a round pin gave just enough energy to use a wee heating element to boil a cup of water.

                    For 13A plugs, the lowest available fuse was 3A so an old boilette could overheat for minutes before the fuse would blow....

                    Cadbury MooseC This user is from outside of this forum
                    Cadbury MooseC This user is from outside of this forum
                    Cadbury Moose
                    wrote last edited by
                    #173

                    @akicif @cstross

                    The old BS546 round pin plug is (I think) still used (in the 15 Amp size) in theatre/stage lighting because they are not fused - so you don't have to climb the gantry and change fuses in mid air if one blows. The 13A (BS1363) plug tends to come with 3A or 13A fuses fitted, but there's an entire range from 1A to 13A available: "Fuses Assorted Household UK 8 Values 100 Pcs BS1362 1A 2A 3A 5A 7A 10A 13A 240V 6.3x25 mm". 3 amp are red, 13 amp are brown, the rest are black.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

                      RE: https://nomenloony.com/@nomenloony/116019280517956996

                      Notes for Americans:

                      1. Until 1992 you had to wire your own plugs onto new electrical appliances in the UK (they were sold without pre-molded plugs).

                      2. Mains voltage is 230VAC, not 110VAC. It'll kill ya.

                      3. If you follow ChatGPT's advice *YOU WILL DIE*.

                      LightFIARL This user is from outside of this forum
                      LightFIARL This user is from outside of this forum
                      LightFIAR
                      wrote last edited by
                      #174

                      @cstross Nonsense and lies by libtard poindexters! And we'll show youse! Sharing with all my MAGAt friends!!

                      And they say there's no air in space! Ha!

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Cadbury MooseC Cadbury Moose

                        @cstross

                        How the Holy Hell did they generate that? I mean, the UK has had more than enough competing designs over the years (some more dangerous than others), but that one's a physical impossibility.

                        Link Preview Image
                        AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types - Wikipedia

                        favicon

                        (en.wikipedia.org)

                        I've used most of those, over the years, plus the bizarre one with standard earth pin, one round pin and one rectangular (rotated 45 degrees) with fuses for both small pins (Bi-phase 240V centre-tapped to Earth!) That one was at Dunlop, and now gone. (Thank the Gods.)

                        Cadbury MooseC This user is from outside of this forum
                        Cadbury MooseC This user is from outside of this forum
                        Cadbury Moose
                        wrote last edited by
                        #175

                        @cstross Even more obsolete/obsolescent and special purpose mains plugs! (I have used most of these types in the last six decades.)

                        Link Preview Image
                        Museum of Plugs and Sockets: unusual / phased out plugs

                        Annotated display of unusual and often phased out plugs and sockets

                        favicon

                        (www.plugsocketmuseum.nl)

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

                          RE: https://nomenloony.com/@nomenloony/116019280517956996

                          Notes for Americans:

                          1. Until 1992 you had to wire your own plugs onto new electrical appliances in the UK (they were sold without pre-molded plugs).

                          2. Mains voltage is 230VAC, not 110VAC. It'll kill ya.

                          3. If you follow ChatGPT's advice *YOU WILL DIE*.

                          SchroedingerS This user is from outside of this forum
                          SchroedingerS This user is from outside of this forum
                          Schroedinger
                          wrote last edited by
                          #176

                          @cstross And the reason that pre-fitted plugs were made mandatory was because so many people didn't know how to correctly wire one.

                          Which I find intensely depressing, as I have known how to wire one from very young.

                          Charlie StrossC Geoff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿_ Roger LipscombeR 3 Replies Last reply
                          0
                          • SchroedingerS Schroedinger

                            @cstross And the reason that pre-fitted plugs were made mandatory was because so many people didn't know how to correctly wire one.

                            Which I find intensely depressing, as I have known how to wire one from very young.

                            Charlie StrossC This user is from outside of this forum
                            Charlie StrossC This user is from outside of this forum
                            Charlie Stross
                            wrote last edited by
                            #177

                            @SteveClough Note that by that point the UK had been almost universally re-wired, and EU safety legislation required molded plugs.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • leah & flutters & nose, oh my!M leah & flutters & nose, oh my!

                              @dearlove @cstross basic bookkeeping is still an essential skill - it just doesn't involve actual cheques any more

                              ChristopherD This user is from outside of this forum
                              ChristopherD This user is from outside of this forum
                              Christopher
                              wrote last edited by
                              #178

                              @mewsleah @cstross Basic balancing your bank balance is there in the app or online that your bank provides. Of course bank always provided statements, but the difference now is you can have it in real time, any time.

                              leah & flutters & nose, oh my!M 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • ChristopherD Christopher

                                @mewsleah @cstross Basic balancing your bank balance is there in the app or online that your bank provides. Of course bank always provided statements, but the difference now is you can have it in real time, any time.

                                leah & flutters & nose, oh my!M This user is from outside of this forum
                                leah & flutters & nose, oh my!M This user is from outside of this forum
                                leah & flutters & nose, oh my!
                                wrote last edited by
                                #179

                                @dearlove @cstross oops, sorry! didn't realise you were fishing for an argument

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • Nigel WadsworthN Nigel Wadsworth

                                  @cstross I just asked Gemini to create one for us in Australia. Might try it later… just not sure…

                                  Paul Turnbull 🇨🇦C This user is from outside of this forum
                                  Paul Turnbull 🇨🇦C This user is from outside of this forum
                                  Paul Turnbull 🇨🇦
                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #180

                                  @nygl @cstross I feel like these are evidence these things are becoming aware and actively working to kill us.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

                                    @tofugolem Expert system, not "expertise" system, and no, not really, that's not what they're for (did a course on designing them circa 1990)

                                    Tofu GolemT This user is from outside of this forum
                                    Tofu GolemT This user is from outside of this forum
                                    Tofu Golem
                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #181

                                    @cstross
                                    My apologies

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

                                      RE: https://nomenloony.com/@nomenloony/116019280517956996

                                      Notes for Americans:

                                      1. Until 1992 you had to wire your own plugs onto new electrical appliances in the UK (they were sold without pre-molded plugs).

                                      2. Mains voltage is 230VAC, not 110VAC. It'll kill ya.

                                      3. If you follow ChatGPT's advice *YOU WILL DIE*.

                                      Trammell HudsonT This user is from outside of this forum
                                      Trammell HudsonT This user is from outside of this forum
                                      Trammell Hudson
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #182

                                      @cstross this is still ok, right?

                                      mhoyeM MarkusM MarjorieRM Josh :everything_bagel:J markisevilM 7 Replies Last reply
                                      0
                                      • tautologyT tautology

                                        @barnesmaurice @ssilvonen @cstross Food, beer, a warm sheep and companions. Wait, 'OW MUCH! Nah, tha can all bugger off and leave me t'misen.

                                        MauriceB This user is from outside of this forum
                                        MauriceB This user is from outside of this forum
                                        Maurice
                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #183

                                        @tautology @ssilvonen @cstross The mist on't moor, yer best homing pigeon at yer breast an't sound o't chippy van bell in't distance. "Kathy yer daft begger, you'll catch yer death, gerroff'om wi'yer sen."

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • Charlie StrossC Charlie Stross

                                          RE: https://nomenloony.com/@nomenloony/116019280517956996

                                          Notes for Americans:

                                          1. Until 1992 you had to wire your own plugs onto new electrical appliances in the UK (they were sold without pre-molded plugs).

                                          2. Mains voltage is 230VAC, not 110VAC. It'll kill ya.

                                          3. If you follow ChatGPT's advice *YOU WILL DIE*.

                                          Elaine CoatesE This user is from outside of this forum
                                          Elaine CoatesE This user is from outside of this forum
                                          Elaine Coates
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #184

                                          @cstross So here’s what I don’t understand. If I search “How to wire a UK plug” and ignore the AI, the first handful of sites I checked all have correct wiring diagrams. There must be hundreds of correct diagrams online. So if the AI is basing its answers on what it finds, why is it getting this wrong? It should be easier to get it right than wrong !

                                          Charlie StrossC 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0

                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          Powered by NodeBB Contributors
                                          • First post
                                            Last post