I'm from the US, but I find the plug in the folded position a much better UK standard. It is much more streamline, while only adjusting the position of the plugs.
Ingenious design! This can also do well in our electric outlets here in the states! I especially love the idea of putting all the folding cords and a USB adapter in just one "outlet dock".
@aspiller98 we have an earth loop (erth wire) in our systems which I don't think you guys have. This causes a slight problem because of the gaps required between the different polarities (live, neutral and earth) so as not to cause arcing.
The other problem is that this has been a standard for years, so trying to replace it would mean changing every socket and every plug in the UK.
@aspiller98 we have an earth loop (earth wire) in our systems which I don't think you guys have. This causes a slight problem because of the gaps required between the different polarities (live, neutral and earth) so as not to cause arcing.
The other problem is that this has been a standard for years, so trying to replace it would mean changing every socket and every plug in the UK.
@aspiller98 UK uses ring circuit to transport AC through the house which will deliver 32A at 235V . US does not have this so the that is why all plugs need a fuse.
Now, all you need to do is to patent it and let others use this design in products and taking a small royalty commission and you will live happily ever after.
Having been using the British plug here for many years, one of the thing that always come into my consideration is the reliability of the plug in providing good quality electrical contacts. Some plugs uses screws, some rivets some use a soilid machine block of brass to facilitate the contact from the pin to the fuse holder. Those using the screw often become loose and thus the plug tends to overheat if heavy current is drawn.
The movable neutral and live contacts in this plug is a concern.
the bigger question is why is their plugs that thick in the first place we us a simple two prong small plug and they use this bulky plug design still. that is just stupid.
@lilmessor They're bulky because they're fused, and earthed. A two-prong plug is incredibly dangerous because it doesn't have an earth pin, which means if there's a surge, the plug goes live and can electrocute you. The lack of a fuse means a broken plug will short out your whole electricity and break the appliance.
Our plugs prevent surges from causing our appliances to go live. It's impossible to electrocute yourself with a BS1363 plug. They also don't break if you step on them. Much better!
the design doesen't comply with bs1363 reqiuments meaning it is illegal to sell in stores, and the design is alot more dangerous than the standerd design.
@nickoloes: ...or Pakistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Jordan, Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Botswana, Ghana, Hong Kong, Macau, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria, Mauritius, Iraq, Kuwait, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Where the same plug is used. I think we should all move to your country, I'm sure you'll like that.
@MikeFromTheUK1 The cover is wide enough, but it is purely optional, there is nothing to prevent the plug being inserted with the wings folded, and nothing to prevent unfolded wings being folded back while the plug is in use. The folding wings (a major "innovation" of Folding Plug) are therefore essentially useless.
The fuse access on the front of the plug body is completely non-compliant.
ThinPlug and SlimPlug are both BS 1363 compliant, there is no need for a non-compliant competitor.
@fatallyflawed1947 The mechanism design means that you cannot put the plug into the wall with the wings unfolded- if you look the other pins would block it. again, the mechanism means that it is impossible to fold back the wings while it is plugged as the pins would move out to the side. the fuse i am not sure about but i reckon the designer probably thought about that. and anyway, it won a design award so i reckon its proved itself. and anyway who cares! there's always room for competition.
@hoborobogibs You clearly do not understand the design, watch the video again, there is no linkage between the pins moving and the wings moving, what you have said is not how it is! The design award is irrelevant as there was no engineering representation on the judging panel; the judges were not competent to judge an engineering issue. Competition is good, but presenting a risk of electrocution is clearly not good, that is why the regulations prohibit such a design being sold.
@MikeFromTheUK1 Because inserting a plug operates the internal safety shutters of the socket, the inserted plug must provide adequate protection against the insertion of pins, paperclips etc alongside the power pins. This is why the periphery of the plug must overlap the pin entry holes by a safe margin. (It also helps to ensure that the live pins cannot be touched during insertion and withdrawal.)
The prevention of touching the fuse contacts with the plug inserted is self evident.
@MikeFromTheUK1 BS 1363 requires the live and neutral pins to be at least 9.5 mm from the periphery of the plug. Compliance would require an arrangement which prevented the pins rotating unless the wings were unfolded, but folding Plug is designed to allow the wings to be unfolded only after the pins have been rotated.
BS 1363 requires that the fuse be inaccessible when the plug is in use, normally done by mounting the fuse on the rear, not achievable within the dimensions of Folding plug.
@Chaoslava - If you did have a truckload of money, why would you throw it away by supporting something ilegal? Could you not find something more useful and/or profitable to do with it?
@joshnoviski101 It is illegal to offer for sale in the UK a plug which does not comply with BS 1363. This folding plug cannot comply for the reasons stated below (my reply to jl0242). Try asking Min-Kyu Choi about the status via his company website (madeinmind dot co dot uk).
@joshnoviski101 No, it would only be legal if it met the requirements. It may have been Min-Kyu Choi's intention to have it certified, but it is not compliant and it is not therefore possible. Had Min-Kyu Choi had any real understanding of what he was attempting to do he would have produced a design which could meet the standard. Have you asked him what the status is?
@joshnoviski101 As I stated below: BS 1363 requires the live and neutral pins to be at least 9.5 mm from the periphery of the plug, folding wings cannot meet this requirement as there is nothing to stop the plug being used with the wings in the closed position.
BS 1363 also requires that the fuse be inaccessible when the plug is in use, this is not achievable within the dimensions of Folding plug.
@fatallyflawed1947 Some BS where formulated in times when technology was much limited than today. I'm sure that with more thought and creativity any BS restrictions can be solved or even re-written in order to solve problems like this....I've purchased recently a SLR camera and I just couldn't believe it when I opened the box to find another ugly-bulky plug with the charger...surely ther must be a better way!! This old plugs are a total BS!!
@eap8317 Of course you are right, which is why there are two excellent designs already approved to BS 1363, ThinPlug and SlimPlug . Min-kyu Choi has completely misunderstood the issue, which is why is Folding Plug will not be joining them as a real product.
@fatallyflawed1947 Ok, I see your point with the Thinplug, but the slimplug is nowhere near the "slim" side! it is just another bulky plug with fold-back pins, still very "bulky"! The only thing that is stopping Choi's design is the fuse part. It will comply by incorporating a stopper that holds the fuse when plugged in. And with the extension attachement, he has to design a way to lock the individual folded plugs and only be able to unplug them when the main receptor is unplugged too..simple!
@eap8317 That is just wishful thinking, very much easier said than done. And it certainly does not alter the fact that he made of fool of all the various design award judges who believed that this was a production ready design!
@fatallyflawed1947 No, it is thinking positively and trying to find a way to make a great product a reality; unlike your position (trashing other people's ideas), mine is simply a neutral one, I see the positive and negative on everything, and I think that Choi's design is far way more attractive and design conscious than the thinplug and the (not too slim) "slimplug". With a little more thought and creativity all of Choi's issues with BS 1363 can be resolved. No need to be that negative!
@eap8317 Do you think that "attractive and design conscious" are really the important attributes of a plug? Surely practicality and safety come first? There are certain physical constraints related to voltage, current carrying capability, and robustness which affect the design of a mains electrical device - and these cannot be wished away. The dimensions of Folding Plug are already too small to ensure robust connectivity, they leave no room for any further sophisticated interlocking of parts.
@fatallyflawed1947 You gave the answer, we need to work on solving those "physical constraints"! The problem in the UK is that design is always compromised because people are too stubborn and don't want change! (not to mention the fact that everything is done on the cheap side!) I bet that if TVs where only developed in the UK, the world would still be watching TV in "black and white" transistor cupboards...with bulky plugs!...It's like living in the Flinstone village!....
@fatallyflawed1947 What I meant was that the solution is to solve the problems that those "physical constarints" are causing for the design to fail but without compromising the design.....obviously you cannot change the laws of physics, that's idiotic!!!....I said "solving", not "changing"!!! there is a huge difference!!! not very intelligent your interpretation!
@eap8317 looking back at your earlier answer I see that you do not understand the point about the folding wings. It is nothing to do with the multi-way adaptor but the fact that there is nothing to stop the plug being inserted into a normal socket with the wings in the folded back position it would need a robust interlock to ensure that the power pins could only be rotated into the standard orientation when the wings were unfolded, and that is the opposite of the way the plug is designed.
@eap8317 The conventional way of preventing access to the fuse while the plug is in use is to position it on the same side of the plug body as the pins. SlimPlug follows this convention, the designer of ThinPlug uses an interlock operated by the folding earth pin to achieve the same ends. I challenge you to envisage an interlocking mechanism which somehow covers the fuse access of Folding Plug by virtue of being plugged in to either a standard socket or the adaptor.
@eap8317 You might also want to ask yourself why Min-kyu Choi has not bothered to answer his critics, either here (it is, after all, his post) or on his own website (which is still claiming that the actual product will be launched in 2010).
@fatallyflawed1947 haha...I don't know what Choi has done to you, but you seriously hate him!!...haha..I sense an unresolved rivalry here...and it seems that it is consuming you!...maybe you need to focus in your own designs and let Choi work on his...I wish you luck and hope that Choi's design will address the necessary changes to be able to enjoy in the near future an excellent product that is not only functional but aesthetically pleasant to have and use!
@eap8317 Your assumptions are false. My one concern is for safety and I have no commercial interests in plug designs. I do own a Slimplug for my laptop and have found that it is an ideal solution. I will buy a ThinPlug as soon as it becomes available. What consumes me is that there are so many ignorant people who place more importance on the safety of shiny laptop surfaces than the safety of human life! Min-kyu Choi appears to be a pleasant young man who is sadlly out of his depth.
@fatallyflawed1947 That is absolutely right! Safety is first! but there is no reason to make things ugly.....my whole point is that you can combine both, it only takes a bit of creativity! It's like Electric Cars; why most prototype electric cars have to be always ugly? there is no logic reason for it, surely they can use the shell of a beautifully designed car, but no, instead we have the Prius, the G-Wiz, the GemE2 and others!
I see people are still getting excited about this, but it has basic design flaws which will pevent it from ever being legally sold in the UK.
If you want to buy a folding plug then SlimPlug has been available for several years. Another design, ThinPlug, will shortly become available. both were designed by people who understand safety and the UK regulations.
Min Kyu Choi may be ingenious, but his design is completely impractical, and he has made fools of those who awarded him honours.
@jl0242 BS 1363 requires the live and neutral pins to be at least 9.5 mm from the periphery of the plug, folding wings cannot meet this requirement as there is nothing to stop the plug being used with the wings in the closed position.
BS 1363 also requires that the fuse be inaccessible when the plug is in use, this is not achievable within the dimensions of Folding plug.
Others have commented that the rotation of the power connections cannot be considered a robust solution.
You are an absolute genius and have solved a problem that has messed up my business travel, i have a DELL XPS 16inch and i think it's great, but the only downside is that i have to buy an almost briefcase type laptop bag just to fit a fucking plug in it, if the industries take your idea and put it into production then you should win a prestigious award for engineering and design.
So the entire UK has to change it's plug system because some apple fans don't want to scratch or lug around a big plug? Granted it's a good idea, but the UK plug system is the safest plug system in the world, it's sturdy, rarely pops out, and the "side by side" system is due to a internal safety mechanism that automatically opens when the prongs are inserted (so babies and other things don't get electrocuted). So sorry Apple lovers, your "masterpiece" has to make do with it.
@EnglanderUK rofl... rea / watch / view the photos before you spout your ungrounded opinions. there is no need to change anything, that is the whole beauty of the system, you muppet! :)
@BrotherBloat I can't watch it, the annoying voice, coupled with the vomit inducing comment such as "Apples Masterpiece", made me puke for hours, and I've eaten a rotten packet of prawns once.
@EnglanderUK I am a Mac adversary, too. However, this plug has nothing to do with Apple, save for the inspiration stemming from the difference in dimensions between an old and new products. And if you really can't be bothered to watch something, why waste your own time and energy commenting negatively about it? ;-)
@BrotherBloat Because Apple annoys me, they piss me off in everything they do, they think they are the greatest thing since high heels on women, and I usually stay out of apple wars, but when some women who can barely speak fucking English calling the macbook air a masterpiece and slagging off the UK plug system comes into play; my patriotic chip fires in. It's terrible I know, but hey, it's amusing. And now I'm gonna run into a Apple store with a UK plug on a wire and start whipping, laters.
@EnglanderUK haha! Guess what - the UK plug system is probably the most appalling one on the planet, with plugs the size of trains and fuses everywhere, but at the same time - household el. installations all over London, so ridiculously obsolete and hacked-up, it's scary to live here. I'm surprised there are so few electrical fires, given the state of the infrastructure in most houses in central London. And before you slag off the designer, get a few industry awards of your own...
Genius! brilliant idea, it wont be long until they stop using the triangle orientation and switch to the straight orientation for everything. Very good.
It's a very nice simple and minimalistic design but I see potential flaws. firstly in reference to the manufacturing video it looks like there would be a risk in electrical arcing also the second point being about the rotating pins, the neutral and live pins could be swapped around.
This is unreal!! Great job....clearly a huge spacesaver....I hope this type of plug does become the norm, its a brilliant idea and its well worthy of replacing the now standard plug!
BS 1363 was introduced in 1947 to end child deaths due to dangerous sockets. It has been a huge success in doing just that. Folding Plug fails to meet at least two of the key safety features required of a plug and it would be illegal to sell it in its present form. SlimPlug has been approved. This is about common sense taking precedence over impractical, but elegant, concepts.
I'm still wondering where this idea is moving. I haven't seen it because I'm stateside, but this seems entirely possible to do with other sorts of power plugs like the US one provided someone made it and figured out how to do it like this.
Once in a while someone comes up with a brilliant redesign of an exist peice of technology. This is the best I've seen in a very long time. Here's looking forward to buying this great idea.
@ vortexlisa: if your 2 amp appliance has a problem it will not trip a 13 amp plug fuse. If you run out of fuses you have to buy more (except when shops are closed). The rest of the world have star circuits and circuit breakers that trip. Very fast and safer. If your appliance has a problem usually the fuse in that device goes. That could be a 1 or 10 amp fuse so your 13 amp plug fuse won't go. It can stand 13 Ampere. The plug fuse apparently protects UK houses all with ring not star circuits.
Well I like to make sure I have a few around just in case one day.
But I don't know, I'm no electrician, It would probably take a long time, cost a lot and be very annoying to change the way things work in every UK House hold to what you guys all use.
Of course.. for new builds however. But if it's really that bad I'm sure they would of changed something by now. (Maybe..)
@vortexlisa: they have, in UK they now deploy RCD circuit breakers apparently in brand new houses since 2008. Key in RCD Protection in google images and you'll see the circuit breakers that have been installed in Europ for over 30+ years now. With such circuits they could also install smaller unfused schuko sockets, but then it will be a pain for so many to purchase converter sockets from the massive UK plug to a schuko socket/plug. Question of a migration process and if UK is willing to do it
This is BRILLIANT. Congratulations Min Kyu, you deserve every second of this success. Thank you for revolutionizing our history, I hope this idea catches on and we can have a world of thin plugs. Well done.
this is really awesome & innovative. I'm really glad that alexander mcqueen didnt win the award, just because hes dead doesnt mean he deserves it, especially compared to this concept. fashion over function, but in this case, its both!
The UK Folding Plug has the potential to become the new standard for UK plugs in the future. I really hope it does, and I'm looking forward to seeing this develop even further!
Steve Jobs will raise from his fucking grave to say he invented this.
mortiery 4 days ago 2
brilliant
exotime 5 days ago
Smart. I like it.
fanirama 5 days ago
I want the most thinnest laptop ever!
madcowga 5 days ago
Can now get this online, well for japan anyway
mrfood1 5 days ago
This is brilliant!
Bionuker 5 days ago
This is brilliant!
Bionuker 5 days ago
Why are these not here yet?
TheSa7777 5 days ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
31 people don't have an iPhone.
sierranovember6 5 days ago
This is amazing! just curious, are you industrial design student?
bijibijmak 5 days ago 2
room for a fuse??? and couple of wires??? you've saved space and and removed the function of the plug lol
meatloafhound 1 week ago
I'm from the US, but I find the plug in the folded position a much better UK standard. It is much more streamline, while only adjusting the position of the plugs.
ObiTrev 1 week ago
Comment removed
killchain187 2 weeks ago
But also a problem is the big adapters and heavy wires they deliver with the small laptops
kitchenfromhell 2 weeks ago
I wonder why we only have 2 wires on a plug here.
kitchenfromhell 2 weeks ago
why is this not in the shops, very clever design
morb02 2 weeks ago
now apple will get this patented n start suing everybody using a plug..
awin217 2 weeks ago 52
...And then you have the transformer to carry.
FYIitsnotme 2 weeks ago
Genius!
DemDemDavid 2 weeks ago
Hope this isn't just a fantasy... C'mon guys get this great product out now!
AgeofColossus 1 month ago
Ze brought me here.
TheStarguy007 1 month ago
great invention
tharakagm 1 month ago
Ingenious design! This can also do well in our electric outlets here in the states! I especially love the idea of putting all the folding cords and a USB adapter in just one "outlet dock".
sporkboy082 2 months ago
I wonder if this was actually produced. Pretty cool ...
ViaSandee 2 months ago
why r ur guyses outlets so big?? i live in the us with WAY smaller plugs!!
aspiller98 2 months ago
@aspiller98 we have an earth loop (erth wire) in our systems which I don't think you guys have. This causes a slight problem because of the gaps required between the different polarities (live, neutral and earth) so as not to cause arcing.
The other problem is that this has been a standard for years, so trying to replace it would mean changing every socket and every plug in the UK.
stevespiller67 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@aspiller98 we have an earth loop (earth wire) in our systems which I don't think you guys have. This causes a slight problem because of the gaps required between the different polarities (live, neutral and earth) so as not to cause arcing.
The other problem is that this has been a standard for years, so trying to replace it would mean changing every socket and every plug in the UK.
stevespiller67 2 months ago
@aspiller98 UK uses ring circuit to transport AC through the house which will deliver 32A at 235V . US does not have this so the that is why all plugs need a fuse.
Steven9662 2 weeks ago
Hope we can see this product very soon...
yvalkyrie 2 months ago
2 years on and this still doesn't exist, WHYYYYYY?????
LeClassics 3 months ago 59
Genius! These need to be on everything asap!
Raconteur 3 months ago
Absolutely amazing.
swedishnitro 3 months ago
Great! now make a folding 4 plug socket.
TheBlueStarx 4 months ago 3
Great design.
matsudarx8 4 months ago
Now, all you need to do is to patent it and let others use this design in products and taking a small royalty commission and you will live happily ever after.
bigfatfoot 4 months ago
genius
chatballitore 4 months ago
Great idea
9891tahp 4 months ago
@exposed97
It can either be 'more smart' or 'smarter' not 'more smarter'
Besides, its not.
ozymandias2010 5 months ago
Having been using the British plug here for many years, one of the thing that always come into my consideration is the reliability of the plug in providing good quality electrical contacts. Some plugs uses screws, some rivets some use a soilid machine block of brass to facilitate the contact from the pin to the fuse holder. Those using the screw often become loose and thus the plug tends to overheat if heavy current is drawn.
The movable neutral and live contacts in this plug is a concern.
SingaporeInventors 5 months ago
ICON2taught76MARRIED
whotaughtyou 6 months ago
ICON2
whotaughtyou 6 months ago
MEET
whotaughtyou 6 months ago
FOLDING HUG
whotaughtyou 6 months ago
@exposed97 The US Electrical system is widely considered to be one of the worst in the world. go ask an electrician! (Not a Yank!) Lol.
sgtspite 6 months ago
Where can I get one!?
talcumpowder1234 7 months ago
good idea
stone2548 7 months ago
This thing looks dangerous, leave the BS 1363 alone as it is the best type of plug in the world.
Alex1M6 8 months ago
Comment removed
SvedeboXque 7 months ago
the bigger question is why is their plugs that thick in the first place we us a simple two prong small plug and they use this bulky plug design still. that is just stupid.
lilmessor 8 months ago
@lilmessor They're bulky because they're fused, and earthed. A two-prong plug is incredibly dangerous because it doesn't have an earth pin, which means if there's a surge, the plug goes live and can electrocute you. The lack of a fuse means a broken plug will short out your whole electricity and break the appliance.
Our plugs prevent surges from causing our appliances to go live. It's impossible to electrocute yourself with a BS1363 plug. They also don't break if you step on them. Much better!
Joebycool 6 months ago
the design doesen't comply with bs1363 reqiuments meaning it is illegal to sell in stores, and the design is alot more dangerous than the standerd design.
BR4NDONcec 9 months ago
Very good idea. Not quite as good as this though mainlinepower.co.uk
Gmanringer 9 months ago
Great idea! But presentation could be a little more exciting though.
veldanen 10 months ago
Idea is great. But I have a better idea. Leave the UK.
nickoloes 10 months ago
@nickoloes: ...or Pakistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Jordan, Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Botswana, Ghana, Hong Kong, Macau, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria, Mauritius, Iraq, Kuwait, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Where the same plug is used. I think we should all move to your country, I'm sure you'll like that.
skudowsky 10 months ago
Great! Love it..thanks
tris72 11 months ago
@MikeFromTheUK1 The cover is wide enough, but it is purely optional, there is nothing to prevent the plug being inserted with the wings folded, and nothing to prevent unfolded wings being folded back while the plug is in use. The folding wings (a major "innovation" of Folding Plug) are therefore essentially useless.
The fuse access on the front of the plug body is completely non-compliant.
ThinPlug and SlimPlug are both BS 1363 compliant, there is no need for a non-compliant competitor.
fatallyflawed1947 11 months ago
@fatallyflawed1947 The mechanism design means that you cannot put the plug into the wall with the wings unfolded- if you look the other pins would block it. again, the mechanism means that it is impossible to fold back the wings while it is plugged as the pins would move out to the side. the fuse i am not sure about but i reckon the designer probably thought about that. and anyway, it won a design award so i reckon its proved itself. and anyway who cares! there's always room for competition.
hoborobogibs 9 months ago
@hoborobogibs You clearly do not understand the design, watch the video again, there is no linkage between the pins moving and the wings moving, what you have said is not how it is! The design award is irrelevant as there was no engineering representation on the judging panel; the judges were not competent to judge an engineering issue. Competition is good, but presenting a risk of electrocution is clearly not good, that is why the regulations prohibit such a design being sold.
fatallyflawed1947 9 months ago
@MikeFromTheUK1 Because inserting a plug operates the internal safety shutters of the socket, the inserted plug must provide adequate protection against the insertion of pins, paperclips etc alongside the power pins. This is why the periphery of the plug must overlap the pin entry holes by a safe margin. (It also helps to ensure that the live pins cannot be touched during insertion and withdrawal.)
The prevention of touching the fuse contacts with the plug inserted is self evident.
fatallyflawed1947 11 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MikeFromTheUK1 BS 1363 requires the live and neutral pins to be at least 9.5 mm from the periphery of the plug. Compliance would require an arrangement which prevented the pins rotating unless the wings were unfolded, but folding Plug is designed to allow the wings to be unfolded only after the pins have been rotated.
BS 1363 requires that the fuse be inaccessible when the plug is in use, normally done by mounting the fuse on the rear, not achievable within the dimensions of Folding plug.
fatallyflawed1947 11 months ago
@MikeFromTheUK1 Please ead my comments below. It will not be available because it is unsafe, to offer it for sale would be illegal.
fatallyflawed1947 11 months ago
Awesome idea hope you got patents allready because you could make some serious monny from that with some tweeks
Zanith50 1 year ago
Wow this is truly a brilliant idea!
evilyakko 1 year ago
Absolutely genius. Seriously. If I had a truckload of money I would get behind this 100%
Chaoslava 1 year ago
@Chaoslava - If you did have a truckload of money, why would you throw it away by supporting something ilegal? Could you not find something more useful and/or profitable to do with it?
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 how is it illegal?
joshnoviski101 1 year ago
@joshnoviski101 It is illegal to offer for sale in the UK a plug which does not comply with BS 1363. This folding plug cannot comply for the reasons stated below (my reply to jl0242). Try asking Min-Kyu Choi about the status via his company website (madeinmind dot co dot uk).
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 go on there website, it has been certified, or in the process of being certified, so therefore, it is legal
joshnoviski101 1 year ago
@joshnoviski101 No, it would only be legal if it met the requirements. It may have been Min-Kyu Choi's intention to have it certified, but it is not compliant and it is not therefore possible. Had Min-Kyu Choi had any real understanding of what he was attempting to do he would have produced a design which could meet the standard. Have you asked him what the status is?
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 please explain why its not up to standard
joshnoviski101 1 year ago
@joshnoviski101 As I stated below: BS 1363 requires the live and neutral pins to be at least 9.5 mm from the periphery of the plug, folding wings cannot meet this requirement as there is nothing to stop the plug being used with the wings in the closed position.
BS 1363 also requires that the fuse be inaccessible when the plug is in use, this is not achievable within the dimensions of Folding plug.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 change it so the fuse goes in the front and some other tweeks its still a brill idea and i would buy it
Zanith50 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 Some BS where formulated in times when technology was much limited than today. I'm sure that with more thought and creativity any BS restrictions can be solved or even re-written in order to solve problems like this....I've purchased recently a SLR camera and I just couldn't believe it when I opened the box to find another ugly-bulky plug with the charger...surely ther must be a better way!! This old plugs are a total BS!!
eap8317 1 year ago
@eap8317 Of course you are right, which is why there are two excellent designs already approved to BS 1363, ThinPlug and SlimPlug . Min-kyu Choi has completely misunderstood the issue, which is why is Folding Plug will not be joining them as a real product.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 Ok, I see your point with the Thinplug, but the slimplug is nowhere near the "slim" side! it is just another bulky plug with fold-back pins, still very "bulky"! The only thing that is stopping Choi's design is the fuse part. It will comply by incorporating a stopper that holds the fuse when plugged in. And with the extension attachement, he has to design a way to lock the individual folded plugs and only be able to unplug them when the main receptor is unplugged too..simple!
eap8317 1 year ago
@eap8317 That is just wishful thinking, very much easier said than done. And it certainly does not alter the fact that he made of fool of all the various design award judges who believed that this was a production ready design!
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 No, it is thinking positively and trying to find a way to make a great product a reality; unlike your position (trashing other people's ideas), mine is simply a neutral one, I see the positive and negative on everything, and I think that Choi's design is far way more attractive and design conscious than the thinplug and the (not too slim) "slimplug". With a little more thought and creativity all of Choi's issues with BS 1363 can be resolved. No need to be that negative!
eap8317 1 year ago
@eap8317 Do you think that "attractive and design conscious" are really the important attributes of a plug? Surely practicality and safety come first? There are certain physical constraints related to voltage, current carrying capability, and robustness which affect the design of a mains electrical device - and these cannot be wished away. The dimensions of Folding Plug are already too small to ensure robust connectivity, they leave no room for any further sophisticated interlocking of parts.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 You gave the answer, we need to work on solving those "physical constraints"! The problem in the UK is that design is always compromised because people are too stubborn and don't want change! (not to mention the fact that everything is done on the cheap side!) I bet that if TVs where only developed in the UK, the world would still be watching TV in "black and white" transistor cupboards...with bulky plugs!...It's like living in the Flinstone village!....
eap8317 1 year ago
@eap8317 This gets even sillier, now you want to change the laws of Physics?
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 What I meant was that the solution is to solve the problems that those "physical constarints" are causing for the design to fail but without compromising the design.....obviously you cannot change the laws of physics, that's idiotic!!!....I said "solving", not "changing"!!! there is a huge difference!!! not very intelligent your interpretation!
eap8317 1 year ago
@eap8317 looking back at your earlier answer I see that you do not understand the point about the folding wings. It is nothing to do with the multi-way adaptor but the fact that there is nothing to stop the plug being inserted into a normal socket with the wings in the folded back position it would need a robust interlock to ensure that the power pins could only be rotated into the standard orientation when the wings were unfolded, and that is the opposite of the way the plug is designed.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@eap8317 The conventional way of preventing access to the fuse while the plug is in use is to position it on the same side of the plug body as the pins. SlimPlug follows this convention, the designer of ThinPlug uses an interlock operated by the folding earth pin to achieve the same ends. I challenge you to envisage an interlocking mechanism which somehow covers the fuse access of Folding Plug by virtue of being plugged in to either a standard socket or the adaptor.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@eap8317 You might also want to ask yourself why Min-kyu Choi has not bothered to answer his critics, either here (it is, after all, his post) or on his own website (which is still claiming that the actual product will be launched in 2010).
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 haha...I don't know what Choi has done to you, but you seriously hate him!!...haha..I sense an unresolved rivalry here...and it seems that it is consuming you!...maybe you need to focus in your own designs and let Choi work on his...I wish you luck and hope that Choi's design will address the necessary changes to be able to enjoy in the near future an excellent product that is not only functional but aesthetically pleasant to have and use!
eap8317 1 year ago
@eap8317 Your assumptions are false. My one concern is for safety and I have no commercial interests in plug designs. I do own a Slimplug for my laptop and have found that it is an ideal solution. I will buy a ThinPlug as soon as it becomes available. What consumes me is that there are so many ignorant people who place more importance on the safety of shiny laptop surfaces than the safety of human life! Min-kyu Choi appears to be a pleasant young man who is sadlly out of his depth.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 That is absolutely right! Safety is first! but there is no reason to make things ugly.....my whole point is that you can combine both, it only takes a bit of creativity! It's like Electric Cars; why most prototype electric cars have to be always ugly? there is no logic reason for it, surely they can use the shell of a beautifully designed car, but no, instead we have the Prius, the G-Wiz, the GemE2 and others!
eap8317 1 year ago
@eap8317 But none of that changes the fundamental issue that this design is not safe, and would need to be radically altered to make it so.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
wow, great stuff!
this should be implemented for 110v,220v,plugs without grounder.
Thanks for upload
(very dry thank you at the end btw)
saladin92 1 year ago
Genius!
faeriewocky 1 year ago
I see people are still getting excited about this, but it has basic design flaws which will pevent it from ever being legally sold in the UK.
If you want to buy a folding plug then SlimPlug has been available for several years. Another design, ThinPlug, will shortly become available. both were designed by people who understand safety and the UK regulations.
Min Kyu Choi may be ingenious, but his design is completely impractical, and he has made fools of those who awarded him honours.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 care to elaborate on what those basic design flaws are?
jl0242 1 year ago
@jl0242 BS 1363 requires the live and neutral pins to be at least 9.5 mm from the periphery of the plug, folding wings cannot meet this requirement as there is nothing to stop the plug being used with the wings in the closed position.
BS 1363 also requires that the fuse be inaccessible when the plug is in use, this is not achievable within the dimensions of Folding plug.
Others have commented that the rotation of the power connections cannot be considered a robust solution.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago
@fatallyflawed1947 thanks, very informative!
jl0242 1 year ago
Comment removed
Jackiechan249 1 year ago
You are an absolute genius and have solved a problem that has messed up my business travel, i have a DELL XPS 16inch and i think it's great, but the only downside is that i have to buy an almost briefcase type laptop bag just to fit a fucking plug in it, if the industries take your idea and put it into production then you should win a prestigious award for engineering and design.
Jackiechan249 1 year ago
I spotted it on Yanko Design last year - imho the best idea for an every-day product in the world, currently... :)
BrotherBloat 1 year ago
This is such a brilliant idea!!! I've always knew that there was a better solution to the UK plug.
Well done!
rustyfynn 1 year ago
the most ingenious idea in the world
Calvinbb 1 year ago
This is Awesome!!!!!!!!
avn2sh 1 year ago
So the entire UK has to change it's plug system because some apple fans don't want to scratch or lug around a big plug? Granted it's a good idea, but the UK plug system is the safest plug system in the world, it's sturdy, rarely pops out, and the "side by side" system is due to a internal safety mechanism that automatically opens when the prongs are inserted (so babies and other things don't get electrocuted). So sorry Apple lovers, your "masterpiece" has to make do with it.
EnglanderUK 1 year ago
@EnglanderUK This works with the normal UK plug system, as is clearly demonstrated in the video.
monooso 1 year ago
@EnglanderUK rofl... rea / watch / view the photos before you spout your ungrounded opinions. there is no need to change anything, that is the whole beauty of the system, you muppet! :)
BrotherBloat 1 year ago
@BrotherBloat I can't watch it, the annoying voice, coupled with the vomit inducing comment such as "Apples Masterpiece", made me puke for hours, and I've eaten a rotten packet of prawns once.
EnglanderUK 1 year ago
@EnglanderUK I am a Mac adversary, too. However, this plug has nothing to do with Apple, save for the inspiration stemming from the difference in dimensions between an old and new products. And if you really can't be bothered to watch something, why waste your own time and energy commenting negatively about it? ;-)
BrotherBloat 1 year ago
@BrotherBloat Because Apple annoys me, they piss me off in everything they do, they think they are the greatest thing since high heels on women, and I usually stay out of apple wars, but when some women who can barely speak fucking English calling the macbook air a masterpiece and slagging off the UK plug system comes into play; my patriotic chip fires in. It's terrible I know, but hey, it's amusing. And now I'm gonna run into a Apple store with a UK plug on a wire and start whipping, laters.
EnglanderUK 1 year ago
@EnglanderUK haha! Guess what - the UK plug system is probably the most appalling one on the planet, with plugs the size of trains and fuses everywhere, but at the same time - household el. installations all over London, so ridiculously obsolete and hacked-up, it's scary to live here. I'm surprised there are so few electrical fires, given the state of the infrastructure in most houses in central London. And before you slag off the designer, get a few industry awards of your own...
BrotherBloat 1 year ago
You got any industry awards?
EnglanderUK 1 year ago
@EnglanderUK the author has a few for this plug... which you would know, if you bothered to look the product up before proceeding to lambaste it...
BrotherBloat 1 year ago
@BrotherBloat I wasn't talking about the author I was talking about you, you got any?
EnglanderUK 1 year ago
is this real?!!! GENIUS!!!!!
kiwimouse97 1 year ago
Brilliant.
raddjrxcore 1 year ago 2
Brilliant where can I get one.?
1967deem 1 year ago
You my friend, are a genius! well done, you deserved the award you got :)
Tister42 1 year ago
i hate american plugs. i love uk plugs
vacuumlover1 1 year ago
is there a wireable version?
mastergx1 1 year ago
is this for sale anywhere and can u wire it yourself ?
RowanRainbirdTilson1 1 year ago
Genius! brilliant idea, it wont be long until they stop using the triangle orientation and switch to the straight orientation for everything. Very good.
emotevlog 1 year ago
england stop being shit and use normal plugs
dyn4mic87 1 year ago
Comment removed
TheJoshyYoshi 1 year ago
Brilliant Idea
@dyn4mic87
It's kinda hard to change the entire plug system across the UK fyi.
TheJoshyYoshi 1 year ago
@TheJoshyYoshi yeah its like anything in the world why not just have a universal system
dyn4mic87 1 year ago
Great space saving design.
A concern I would have would be if the fuse cover could be removed with the plug connected to a circuit, exposing a live conductor?
neilswann80 1 year ago
Definitely getting me one of these. Hope they release the usb version as on the site. very innovative
Conor552 1 year ago
great
2008mech 1 year ago
Seems that real product is coming out in 2010 (From the official site). I can't wait to buy bunch of that!
adrianshum 1 year ago
porq no se me ocurrio a mi?? jejeje muy bueno
elmismisimopatas 1 year ago
Unbelievable!! SUPER idea!!!
Love it~
rsloveforever 1 year ago
It's a very nice simple and minimalistic design but I see potential flaws. firstly in reference to the manufacturing video it looks like there would be a risk in electrical arcing also the second point being about the rotating pins, the neutral and live pins could be swapped around.
voyanger 1 year ago
AMAZING, that's all i can say
aceplace1 1 year ago
최 민구씨 너무 좋은 아이디어에요.제가사는 나라도 프라그가 엄청크거든요. 연락 드리고 십어요 ps닷117 at g매일닷콤 으로연락
sindyk117 1 year ago
ps닷kim117 at g매일닷콤 으로연락
sindyk117 1 year ago
wow so cool..
who ever came up with this idea is intelligent
PnXp08 1 year ago
It's amazing! Hope it will on sell in my place!
peacockhung 1 year ago
Oh my F***ing god that is so gay you relly think I will bye that and that is so simple to make it's not that cool
koqaz 1 year ago
@koqaz Learn to spell moron before you go round insulting people...
Mitchk44 1 year ago
Jesus, thats AMAZING! :)
NITNProductions 1 year ago
This is great. I'll buy a load of these for my studio. Ingenious and Excellent !!!
recmixmas 1 year ago
This is unreal!! Great job....clearly a huge spacesaver....I hope this type of plug does become the norm, its a brilliant idea and its well worthy of replacing the now standard plug!
Cabs0Sting 1 year ago
great stuff!!!!
CaptainCrunch1916 1 year ago
Good staff!
Lubosh89 1 year ago
Bring Back Tony Blair!
NumberDne 1 year ago
It won the 2010 Brit Insurance Design Award
estherfull 1 year ago
It won the 2010 Brit Insurance Design Awar
estherfull 1 year ago
Beautiful, simple design
Zeph100 1 year ago
I wish it will come out
I wonder why no company even bother to look at it
ducttaperulestheworl 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Very good design but it is just a design !! It does not just seem to be a plug that could meet the British standards.
rhythm128a 1 year ago
Very good design but it is just a design !! It does not just seem to be a plug that could meet the British standards.
rhythm128a 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
BS 1363 was introduced in 1947 to end child deaths due to dangerous sockets. It has been a huge success in doing just that. Folding Plug fails to meet at least two of the key safety features required of a plug and it would be illegal to sell it in its present form. SlimPlug has been approved. This is about common sense taking precedence over impractical, but elegant, concepts.
fatallyflawed1947 1 year ago 3
Excelente desarrollo, great!!
guadisima 1 year ago
Absolutly genius
fair play
keep up the good work
bazm013 1 year ago
This is utterly brilliant. Can't wait for it to come out!
noomondai 1 year ago
Genius! When/where can I buy this?
nielswergin 1 year ago
Goooooddddd
Jcervantes702 1 year ago
amazing
lopez126126 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this is fucking boring , hope you all get electrocuted using this pishy wee plug . big plugs are safe !!!
sdenny 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Gwan big plugs!!!
I'd say u have a big cock!!!
I like big things...
Lamphmusic 1 year ago
The inventor of this *deserves* to be a multi-millionaire.
It's so obvious. Why did no one think of it before. Incredibly well done!
Trafalgar1961 1 year ago
I'm still wondering where this idea is moving. I haven't seen it because I'm stateside, but this seems entirely possible to do with other sorts of power plugs like the US one provided someone made it and figured out how to do it like this.
Saturn2888 1 year ago
Good shit!
samtheman180 1 year ago
Once in a while someone comes up with a brilliant redesign of an exist peice of technology. This is the best I've seen in a very long time. Here's looking forward to buying this great idea.
Well deserved award.All the best.
mrjaffar 1 year ago
Awesome design! Brilliant!!
guihuachenjiu 1 year ago
@ vortexlisa: if your 2 amp appliance has a problem it will not trip a 13 amp plug fuse. If you run out of fuses you have to buy more (except when shops are closed). The rest of the world have star circuits and circuit breakers that trip. Very fast and safer. If your appliance has a problem usually the fuse in that device goes. That could be a 1 or 10 amp fuse so your 13 amp plug fuse won't go. It can stand 13 Ampere. The plug fuse apparently protects UK houses all with ring not star circuits.
trident3b 1 year ago
Well I like to make sure I have a few around just in case one day.
But I don't know, I'm no electrician, It would probably take a long time, cost a lot and be very annoying to change the way things work in every UK House hold to what you guys all use.
Of course.. for new builds however. But if it's really that bad I'm sure they would of changed something by now. (Maybe..)
vortexlisa 1 year ago
trident3b 1 year ago
Oh wow I want this oh so much! I am sick of bulky plugs.
vortexlisa 1 year ago
This is BRILLIANT. Congratulations Min Kyu, you deserve every second of this success. Thank you for revolutionizing our history, I hope this idea catches on and we can have a world of thin plugs. Well done.
PreityLuva 1 year ago
@PreityLuva: The world has thin plugs already. Only the UK doesn't.
trident3b 1 year ago
this is really awesome & innovative. I'm really glad that alexander mcqueen didnt win the award, just because hes dead doesnt mean he deserves it, especially compared to this concept. fashion over function, but in this case, its both!
dumblilasiangirl 1 year ago
THIS IS DESIGN!!!
manutdsupp 1 year ago
Brilliant!!!
gumby052 1 year ago
Min Kyu Choi you rock, every success to you!
shpearg 1 year ago
Why didn't I think of this first??????????? !!!
Good luck to you and success for the future...simply quite brilliant ;))
DJLadybird 1 year ago 2
The UK Folding Plug has the potential to become the new standard for UK plugs in the future. I really hope it does, and I'm looking forward to seeing this develop even further!
And congratulations on the award!
Magnulus 1 year ago 2
i have to say: 멋진 직업 (i hope this says awesome job in korean)
the award is very much deserved
ilana2504 1 year ago
Fuse being removable while plugged in? Bad idea
TheBroz 1 year ago
wonderful. especially love the "flat form" multi-port travel adapter idea, brilliant! i've always been a fan of the UK plug's built-in fuse too.
thinkingbricks 1 year ago