Why would the only choice to replace the huge UK plugs be US plugs? This one might make much more sense for example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schuko given the specs (much smaller, all the same advantages expect being fused - if I understand correctly) and also given the UKs geographic location ;)
Edit: I'd just be happy if Europe picked a single standard and stuck with it. It's ridiculous to have to carry all sorts of converters for what are, in the grand scheme of things, not very long trips.
The Schuko is definitely one of the better designs.
16A at 240V in a grounded plug that is very easy to protect against tiny fingers and that you'd have to be trying real hard to get your fingers on when inserting it, even in pitch dark.
Forwards compatible socket with the Euro plug. (that's the thin, ungrounded one with just two pins, one live, one neutral).
It will do anything from your phone charger to a light duty welder.
> Forwards compatible socket with the Euro plug. (that's the thin, ungrounded one with just two pins, one live, one neutral).
It's not really that it's forwards-compatible, but that the europlug was created specifically for this purpose. It's compatible with all european sockets but the english one I believe.
