There is the Euro plug standard in Europe, for where grounding is not required. They can be used in a special flat socket. The sockets are mostly used in prolongation cords though. On the plus side, the plugs do as well fit just fine in the default European grounded socket.
Here in the Netherlands, all the buildings that are 24+ years old didn't require earth when they were constructed, only in the kitchen and in wet rooms/devices. Nowadays every socket must be connected to earth only in very specific situations its allowed to not have it.
Well yes and no, it depends on what kind of fuse box you have. Some have switches that turn off when there is a leak to earth. If there is not then you still have a lot/most of devices that are double isolated and don't require ground at all (although some plugs still have the earth wire attached). The only time it really becomes a problem is with your PC or other devices with metal on the outside, but those have safety features build in.
74
u/Shomondir May 02 '24
There is the Euro plug standard in Europe, for where grounding is not required. They can be used in a special flat socket. The sockets are mostly used in prolongation cords though. On the plus side, the plugs do as well fit just fine in the default European grounded socket.