There are many things that as a passenger I get annoyed at when at an airport or at a hotel. And one of those things that annoy me are power outlets.
Yes. They annoy the heck out of me.
Some airports only install one type of socket (e.g. their local power point type), whilst some offer two… and others offer a row of the things to cover as many eventualities as possible.
A lot of us carry those wonderful multipoint adaptors (for example, I use one by Skross which has saved my bacon more than once)
I’ve seen these a few times in my travels, and it’s only struck me as why this sort of receptacle style isn’t installed more widely….
This socket covers a multitude of sins here – from the UK BS1363, the US standards (both earthed and unearthed), the various European styles (unearthed).
Oh, and some USB sockets too. Because a lot of travel electronics desire the wonderment that is USB power these days. (But can we make sure it’s a 2A output please… 500mha isn’t enough to power a flea these days – like a LOT of airlines still install or have installed)
The thing is, they seem to be common in the two IHG priorities I stayed at.
At the Holiday Inn Express, Kuala Lumpur
And this isn’t rocket science here. A lot of electronics are voltage sensing these days (apart from a few exceptions)
The fact is that for some flyers – there can be a sense of “outlet dependency” where they are scared to leave their portable electronics away from a mains supply for long… for the fear they’ll run out of juice at the wrong moment (those with iPhones a few years old will understand where I coming from)
And if Family Mart can install them – anyone can…
By using a universal plug socket like this (and making sure users check the local voltages before they plug their device in ) it’s one less worry when travelling.
Oh – and hotels, do the same thing please….
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