Not sure where to post this, so I'll try here. I'm working on some new products, one of which is a multi-part figure with switches, plug sockets, wires, etc. What I want to know is this. Is the 'two-holed' plug socket on the left a good general choice? It's pretty general in europe and the states, isn't it? Or would 3 holes be better? I know it's a small point, but I like to get things right. TIA mac PS The model here is untextured and unfinished, so don't crit it yet.

I've only ever seen plugs and sockets like these in England. Never saw them in France.

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

Completely different in the States. We use 115 volts for most utility. Receptacles and plugs, wall switches, and their cover plates don't look at all like what you have here. Go to grainger.com and search for receptacle and wall switch, then add cover plate to find the rest.

Thanks for the link, wyrwulf. I checked, but can't seem to find a normal plug or socket. Can you or someone else describe in simple words what the american standard plug looks like? The last time I was in NY I seem to remember 2-pin plugs like the one above, but maybe I'm hallucinating. mac

I'll snap some pics and post in this thread. Give me a few minutes. Batteries for the camera are dead. I'll see what I can come up with on the web.

Message edited on: 06/17/2004 17:54

Would you believe TurboSquid? I think you can get a pretty good idea there. Here is a page that has a pretty good image of most of what's used in the US. http://www.turbosquid.com/Search/Index.cfm?FuseAction=ProcessSearch&intStartRow=1&intMediaType=-1&istSearchKey=wall+switch

Wow! Brilliant, wyrwulf. I'd never have thought of searching TS. Looking at them, I remember now what the US plugs are like. Those thin pins like shaver thingies. Hmmm... I'll need to think this over. I really hate the look of those. And the switches are really klunky-looking, although maybe those models are just dated. I'd like to put out something a bit more elegant. I have a friend in New Jersey in furniture and lighting design. I'll mail him and see what he suggests. Thanks again, wyrwulf. Any other input ('scuse the pun) on european plugs would be appreciated. mac

I found the TurboSquid page using Google/images. That's what is used in the US. The toggle switch and oval shaped outlets are standard, the rectangular shaped switch and outlet are the fancy ones, brand name Decora, generic name decorative. They can be ordered in various colors. White and ivory are standard. There are other styles of switches, some look like what you show, but most homes, commercial, and industrial use the standards.

hi wyrwulf, I did some checking and found the link above. It shows the european standards and the 'worldwide' link at the bottom shows american and others. The mostly widely used european plug at the moment is the 2-pin, but is set to be replaced by the Schuko. However, my priorities are slightly different. From the design POV, I'd prefer to go with the european 2-pin. On the other hand, the US poser users are a pretty large group. I don't know how important it is for poser people to have their own type of plugs, but no matter what type I make, somebody's gonna be left out, so maybe I should just make them look good and leave it at that. I'm trying to make everything as realistic as possible, but it's not practical to make plugs and sockets for everyone in the world. LOL. Thanks for the help. mac

Attached Link: http://www.powerconnections.co.uk/powerleads_internationalww.htm

Sorry. Link here. mac

It's hard to believe how many different styles of plugs and sockets there are. If you wanted to get really technical, you would end up with at least 50 different styles, but most of them wouldn't be of much use to most people. I don't thing the details would matter much unless someone was making an image with the plug as most of the image.