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[–] 37 points 3 months ago (10 children)

All these plugs were standardized 70 years+ ago when no one imagined one day you'll be able to buy a Switch from Kazakhstan on something called the internet. In a probably accidental version of regulatory capture, the bean counters at the manufacturers kind of like it that way because they have control over what merchandise goes on sale in what market.

It's also now cheaper to build 50 different plugs in some factory before we ask the whole world to switch to one type of plug. Picking a standard will also be impossible if everybody gets a vote in the process.

USB is the only hope for truly universal stuff but that won't do for a kettle.

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  • [–] 8 points 3 months ago (3 children)

    USB-D: now with support for AC up to 230V

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  • [–] 3 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    I have a feeling it will necessitate a change in all the wall and counter outlets of every coffee shop on the planet though, right? I don't think you can run 230V through those old connectors, can you?

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  • [–] 15 points 3 months ago (3 children)

    But... Kazakhstan is the greatest country in the World?

    R1AmvFqFcpYcCCz.jpg

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  • [–] 7 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    To elaborate: in 220V countries a kettle can pull 3,000W. The spec for USB PD 3.1 is max 240W and requires a specialized cable.

    Using an online calculator: a 1m cable capable of handling 3,000W at USB-PD voltage would be almost 9mm in diameter.

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