tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post640152801687722844..comments2024-03-19T09:21:02.572-04:00Comments on The Adventures of Roberta X: Vacation Is A State Of MindRoberta Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-69158746444436254152013-08-05T21:52:44.634-04:002013-08-05T21:52:44.634-04:00Rickn80r, the UK 13A (240V typ., 230V nom.) mains ...Rickn80r, the UK 13A (240V typ., 230V nom.) mains plug, aside from being a bit oversize-for-most/too small for really big appliances (3.12 kW!), is a well-engineered device. Modern ones cannot be opened while plugged in and the molded versions have a nifty fully-enclosed flip-out 5x20mm fuseholder on the prong side. Safety engineering of present-day versions is (IMO) a little better than typical Edison-type plugs in the U.S. and the entire system, with switched, "shuttered" receptacles (L and N are covered until the ground pin enters its socket) is quite good. --"Ring" circuits still give me the creeps, though. (Some Brits are critical of the actual contact area when engaged but they're not atypical of mains hardware anywhere.)<br /><br /> Nope, I'd have to rate most Western mains plugs as pretty much equal, with the North American ones at or near the bottom of the pack for a couple of reasons it would take too much space to explain.<br /><br /> OTOH, I'd look very closely at mains plugs and sockets in a lot of the rest of the world. While nobody but nobody is still using the light-bulb-socket system found in the U. S. very early on (!!!), there's some interesting stuff out there that could trip up a traveler pretty badly.Roberta Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956807794520627885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-59019777104320608972013-08-05T12:05:15.507-04:002013-08-05T12:05:15.507-04:00It's a wise choice to take it out now. Silver ...It's a wise choice to take it out now. Silver maples are despicable trees, good for little other than quick shade. Surely the scientific name for them is <i>acer garbagum</i>. I've never seen one that was mature that wasn't full of rot and dead branches. One of them, which I had thought was in good enough shape, thoroughly crushed my garage and minivan 3 years ago. The interior was totally rotted and the trunk broke about 3 feet up from the ground at a place where it was over 4 feet in diameter. To be fair, it was during the worst storm I've ever seen. They do make a decent syrup though.Rob Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15604826633798229422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-60703999021240862862013-08-05T10:15:06.212-04:002013-08-05T10:15:06.212-04:00"...so the "internal" fuse is in th...<i>"...so the "internal" fuse is in the power plug. How British."</i><br /><br />Ye Gods and Little Fishes!! What WERE they thinking? Thirteen amps? Non-standard size too I'm thinking. <br />Does it say "Lucas" on it by any chance?<br /><br />PLEASE tell me that at least the cover screw heads are on the wall side of the plug, forcing you to unplug the device before taking the cover off.rickn8orhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16911803300343351338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-7006835465274001052013-08-05T09:11:04.065-04:002013-08-05T09:11:04.065-04:00“It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unles...“It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do." - <b>Jerome K. Jerome</b><br /><br />I envy you Roberta. Sounds like you are having a great vacation!Reno Sepulvedahttp://sepulvedasrevenge.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5837660608809488753.post-7869514079434722722013-08-05T08:20:46.379-04:002013-08-05T08:20:46.379-04:00I wish I could say that I've hung my G5RV, but...I wish I could say that I've hung my G5RV, but with the way my weekends have been going, it's going to be September before that happens.Fuzzy Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03802539927743643041noreply@blogger.com