Fun fact, the only reason North America can get away with our dinky plugs and sockets is because we only run 120V (typically). Anything here that’s 240V will have a much beefier plug and socket, more similar to the UK plugs. Heres a 240V/30A and a 240V/50A. These don’t bother with the coated pins because it would typically be plugged in once behind a big appliance and never touched again.
Conductor size is about current, not voltage, so I would expect 120V plugs to be bigger as they need to be rated yo 20A to be as useful as typical 240V/10A plugs.
Australia/NZ style plugs are much smaller than (and IMO superior to) the UK plugs despite both being 240V/10A
The plug contacts are basically never the limiting factor current wise. They are massive solid metal prongs, they can easily handle 20-30 Amps without getting too hot. The cable will always be limiting factor for current.
Fun fact, the only reason North America can get away with our dinky plugs and sockets is because we only run 120V (typically). Anything here that’s 240V will have a much beefier plug and socket, more similar to the UK plugs. Heres a 240V/30A and a 240V/50A. These don’t bother with the coated pins because it would typically be plugged in once behind a big appliance and never touched again.
Conductor size is about current, not voltage, so I would expect 120V plugs to be bigger as they need to be rated yo 20A to be as useful as typical 240V/10A plugs.
Australia/NZ style plugs are much smaller than (and IMO superior to) the UK plugs despite both being 240V/10A
The plug contacts are basically never the limiting factor current wise. They are massive solid metal prongs, they can easily handle 20-30 Amps without getting too hot. The cable will always be limiting factor for current.
iiiinteresting. good to know my whole house is a fire hazard by UK standards!