3186: Truly Universal Outlet

2025-12-26T20:01:29Z

2603:8000:5E00:2913:B93C:8A17:DAA3:D6B1: /* Transcript */ tips

{{comic
| number = 3186
| date = December 26, 2025
| title = Truly Universal Outlet
| image = truly_universal_outlet_2x.png
| imagesize = 264x358px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = Building Inspectors HATE This One Weird Trick
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created recently. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

This comic shows a layout for a universal outlet which would theoretically fit any plug. Throughout the world, countries and regions have their {{w|AC power plugs and sockets#Standard types in present use|own standards for outlets}}, including their shape, contact amount, and voltage. When traveling, or otherwise using devices from other countries, it is often necessary to have an adapter to connect one type of plug to a different outlet.

The comic shows an outlet with fifteen sets of holes merged together, so that any of those plug types might fit. In reality, it's possible that a plug may not be held securely, and it may fall out or lose contact. For example, the hole for types D, M, and O at the top of the outlet has three distinct holes, some of which are entirely contained within others; a prong for a smaller type would not make contact with the walls. Different outlets can also mean different voltages, which can risk damage if devices do not account for it. Though universal plug adapters [https://internationalconfig.com/icc6.asp?item=30250 actually exist], but none of them are as 'universal' as the one shown in this comic, most likely due to aforementioned safety concerns.

Also the comic seems to misrepresent type E sockets - it seems like the creator wasn't aware of (or ignored) the fact that type E sockets has a grounding pin that protrudes out from the socket, and rather represents it as if it were a hole in the socket instead. In reality it would be impossible to make a socket that safely grounds type E plugs without being simultaneously incompatible with a large number of other plugs that aren't designed to accomodate the grounding pin.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

[A diagram of an electrical outlet is shown, merging the holes of many international outlets. Dashed lines indicate individual standards' holes, which are labeled by their corresponding letter from A to N. The entire outlet is the combined area of these holes.]

Wiring tip: to make your building friendly to international visitors, cut holes in your outlet plates to make them compatible with all fifteen IEC plug types.

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3186: Truly Universal Outlet