Actual/theoretical benefits of round or flat outlet prongs

Question

What might be the reasoning for European connectors having rounded prongs while USA and UK connectors are primarily flat pronged?

Please correct any mis-tagging.

The UK is in Europe, and we use flat prongs, though much more substantial and robust than USA's flat prongs. I have always assumed it is partly historical, and partly economics. — gbulmer, Sep 25 '14 at 00:15

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 25 '14 at 04:35

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Flat pins can be made more cheaply- by stamping from sheet using simple or progressive dies- than round pins, which tend to require a relatively expensive screw-machine turning operation from rod.

But really the main advantage is that whichever you pick, it fits the millions of mating receptacles in the target market.

answered Sep 25 '14 at 04:35

Spehro Pefhany

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According to [this page](http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/91844/round-female-pin-header-vs-square-female-pin-header), round pins make better contact and a more secure fit. – Cees Timmerman Mar 31 '16 at 11:19

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 25 '14 at 01:31

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First, there is certainly a lot of historical legacy.

Round prongs can be more easily isolated, with metal only on the tip, so they are probably safer. (typical example : flat molded plastic "europlug" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europlug)

answered Sep 25 '14 at 01:31

TEMLIB

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Well, It is rather that existing standards (for example US NEMA plugs) are not fit for it, but are simpler to manufacture. – TEMLIB Sep 25 '14 at 23:36
You could add that to answer – Smart Manoj Dec 12 '20 at 08:06
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@SmartManoj It's an old answser. UK plugs contacts are both square and with an insolated base. But they are thicker than NEMA plugs. – TEMLIB Dec 13 '20 at 14:10

Actual/theoretical benefits of round or flat outlet prongs

2 Answers2