Re: Why does laptop PSU have an earth wire?

Chris Whelan wrote:
John of Aix wrote:

So how come the rest of the world that uses two pins doesn't end up
electrocuting itself?

Sorry if this is patronising, but you did ask!

There are two methods of providing protection from accidental
contact. The first is surrounding in earthed metalwork. This is Class
1. The second method is providing insulation that is additional to
the functional insulation. Guess what? This is Class 2!

Possibly for traditional reasons, but also because supply voltages
were often lower, countries other than the UK have tended to prefer
Class 2. The variation is also related to differences is the
distribution system.

The rest of the *civilised* world doesn't use two pin plugs and
sockets, but they often use just a scraping earth type of connector
where the earth connection may not be readily seen.

My sister and a few friends have laptops from the US, two friends have
laptops from Germany, many here (obviously) have laptops from France and
not one single one of them has a three pin plug therefore no earth
to..erm..ground. Are none of them in the civilised world then (OK? I'll
perhaps give it to you for the USA ;-) )



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