The reason plugs in the UK are so big is that each one must be individually fused. And the reason for that is something called a "ring circuit".
In a ring circuit you have, say, a 40 amp fuse at the mains/box. From this you send out two wires, each rated only for 20 amps, going in a circle around the house. You can now supply 40 amps worth of power using only cheaper 20 amp wires. (Since the current can flow over both wires at once.)
But this means that the wires going to an individual appliance are far too small for the main breaker, so each appliance gets a fuse in the plug.
Ring circuits have serious drawbacks, but they helped during a time when there was a copper shortage.
And ever since then the UK has been stuck with huge plugs.
The reason plugs in the UK are so big is that each one must be individually fused. And the reason for that is something called a "ring circuit".
In a ring circuit you have, say, a 40 amp fuse at the mains/box. From this you send out two wires, each rated only for 20 amps, going in a circle around the house. You can now supply 40 amps worth of power using only cheaper 20 amp wires. (Since the current can flow over both wires at once.)
But this means that the wires going to an individual appliance are far too small for the main breaker, so each appliance gets a fuse in the plug.
Ring circuits have serious drawbacks, but they helped during a time when there was a copper shortage.
And ever since then the UK has been stuck with huge plugs.