Really, compiler? That's strange. I live in italy and these are exact copies of the ones I have at home, except that mine have 3 pins. I thought the whole continent used the same system. What are the french ones like then? The UK has a totally different type of plug - 3 rectangular pins, the top one vertical and the bottom 2 horizontal. The 3 socket holes each have a cover, and the top pin is longer than the other two. When it goes into the socket, it opens the covers for the bottom 2 pins. This means that kids can't get their fingers in at any time at all. They're absolutely the safest plugs in the world, but I want something more general. Here's a plug I made. mac