is third transformer hole an earth?

[john downie2]

my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer, please?

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Whiskers]

On 2008-11-08, john downie2 <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:

my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer, please?

No. If the power 'brick' has three pins, it has been designed to require
three connectors.

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

"Only" an earth? Sheesh!

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.

Assuming that your existing power brick can accomodate Japanese mains
voltage and frequency, you will need an earthed Japanese plug to fit the
Japanese mains socket. Which sounds like what the technical services
department are trying to convince you of.

I think Japan uses 100V mains at either 50 or 60 Hz depending on location.

--
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
-- Whiskers
-- ~~~~~~~~~~

 

[ian field]

"Whiskers" <catwheezel@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:slrnghbb69.bnl.catwheezel@ID-107770.user.individual.net...

On 2008-11-08, john downie2 <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:
my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to
japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside
the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three
holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then
only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer,
please?

No. If the power 'brick' has three pins, it has been designed to require
three connectors.

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although
this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it
might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

"Only" an earth? Sheesh!

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares
department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.

Assuming that your existing power brick can accomodate Japanese mains
voltage and frequency, you will need an earthed Japanese plug to fit the
Japanese mains socket. Which sounds like what the technical services
department are trying to convince you of.

I think Japan uses 100V mains at either 50 or 60 Hz depending on location.

--
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
-- Whiskers
-- ~~~~~~~~~~

If the "power brick" is a switch-mode converter (not an iron cored
transformer) some types automatically adjust to anywhere between 100 - 240V,
check the specification label as this information should be clearly marked.

Most PSUs of this type are double insulated and do not require an earth,
they only have a 3-pin plug because the regulations in the country of use
say that all wall sockets must be 3-pin (there wouldn't be much point in
supplying items with a 2-pin plug that didn't fit anything). Carefully
examine the mains lead, if its round then it contains 3 wires and must be
earthed, if the mains lead is flat so you can tell the outer covering is
over a pair of wires side by side then there is obviously no third wire for
an earth.

 

[Whiskers]

On 2008-11-08, ian field <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:

"Whiskers" <catwheezel@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:slrnghbb69.bnl.catwheezel@ID-107770.user.individual.net...
On 2008-11-08, john downie2 <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:
my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to
japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside
the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three
holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then
only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer,
please?

No. If the power 'brick' has three pins, it has been designed to require
three connectors.

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although
this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it
might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

"Only" an earth? Sheesh!

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares
department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.

Assuming that your existing power brick can accomodate Japanese mains
voltage and frequency, you will need an earthed Japanese plug to fit the
Japanese mains socket. Which sounds like what the technical services
department are trying to convince you of.

I think Japan uses 100V mains at either 50 or 60 Hz depending on location.

If the "power brick" is a switch-mode converter (not an iron cored
transformer) some types automatically adjust to anywhere between 100 - 240V,
check the specification label as this information should be clearly marked.

True enough.

Most PSUs of this type are double insulated and do not require an earth,
they only have a 3-pin plug because the regulations in the country of use
say that all wall sockets must be 3-pin (there wouldn't be much point in
supplying items with a 2-pin plug that didn't fit anything).

I took the OP to mean that the brick itself has three pins in the orifice
to which the incoming mains lead is connected. That suggests that the
makers of it expected it to be earthed.

Both the laptop power bricks in use in this room (one HP, one Toshiba) have
three metal pins for the mains lead to connect to - and /do/ require an
earthed mains lead and socket. The arrangement is sometimes described as
a 'cloverleaf' connector; more officially an IEC-320 type C5
<http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/full/qn62.jpg> and
<http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=218969>. The two-pin type
with no earth is a 'figure-of-eight' or IEC-320 type C7.

Here in the UK, double-insulated appliances can be fitted with a mains
lead that has a plastic 'earth' pin - whose functions are to open the
shutters on the other two holes in the socket, and to ensure correct
connection of the 'live' and 'neutral' pins. But mere presence of a metal
earth pin on the plug cannot be taken as evidence of an earth connection,
of course!

Carefully
examine the mains lead, if its round then it contains 3 wires and must be
earthed, if the mains lead is flat so you can tell the outer covering is
over a pair of wires side by side then there is obviously no third wire for
an earth.

Never seen a 'flat' three-conductor lead, or a round two-conductor lead?

--
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
-- Whiskers
-- ~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Peter Hucker]

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:14:17 -0000, Whiskers <catwheezel@operamail.com> wrote:

On 2008-11-08, john downie2 <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:
my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer, please?

No. If the power 'brick' has three pins, it has been designed to require
three connectors.

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

"Only" an earth? Sheesh!

Power bricks are plastic and don't need to be earthed for safety reasons. His question, which nobody has answered yet, is whether the supply NEEDS an earth to operate correctly.

--
http://www.petersparrots.com http://www.insanevideoclips.com http://www.petersphotos.com

Stupidity is the basic building block of the universe - Frank Zappa

 

[catchme]

john downie2 wrote:

my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer, please?

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.



yes, the 3rd hole is a ground, but while the voltage in Japan is

similiar to North America (despite Japan only having 2 leads), i dont
know what the voltage is in the UK.
Japan runs 110v. on a 60a circuit, whereas Canada does 120.

 

[Peter Hucker]

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:17:27 -0000, catchme <someone@somewhere.net> wrote:

john downie2 wrote:
my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer, please?

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.



yes, the 3rd hole is a ground, but while the voltage in Japan is
similiar to North America (despite Japan only having 2 leads), i dont
know what the voltage is in the UK.
Japan runs 110v. on a 60a circuit, whereas Canada does 120.

SIXTY amps! Wow. I'm glad we have more volts in the UK.

--
http://www.petersparrots.com http://www.insanevideoclips.com http://www.petersphotos.com

"A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit."
- Army preventive maintenance publication

 

[ian field]

"Whiskers" <catwheezel@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:slrnghbj3g.bnl.catwheezel@ID-107770.user.individual.net...

On 2008-11-08, ian field <gangprobing.alien@ntlworld.com> wrote:
"Whiskers" <catwheezel@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:slrnghbb69.bnl.catwheezel@ID-107770.user.individual.net...
On 2008-11-08, john downie2 <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:
my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to
japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on
one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often
goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside
the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three
holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then
only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer,
please?

No. If the power 'brick' has three pins, it has been designed to
require
three connectors.

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although
this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it
might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

"Only" an earth? Sheesh!

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares
department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.

Assuming that your existing power brick can accomodate Japanese mains
voltage and frequency, you will need an earthed Japanese plug to fit the
Japanese mains socket. Which sounds like what the technical services
department are trying to convince you of.

I think Japan uses 100V mains at either 50 or 60 Hz depending on
location.

If the "power brick" is a switch-mode converter (not an iron cored
transformer) some types automatically adjust to anywhere between 100 -
240V,
check the specification label as this information should be clearly
marked.

True enough.

Most PSUs of this type are double insulated and do not require an earth,
they only have a 3-pin plug because the regulations in the country of use
say that all wall sockets must be 3-pin (there wouldn't be much point in
supplying items with a 2-pin plug that didn't fit anything).

I took the OP to mean that the brick itself has three pins in the orifice
to which the incoming mains lead is connected. That suggests that the
makers of it expected it to be earthed.

I'd still take it that if the original mains lead was only 2-core, even if
there is a 3-way connector on the power brick, then you can't have live,
neutral and an earth if there's only 2 wires in the mains lead. 3 pin
connectors do turn up every now and then with only 2 pins actually used but
they're not very common.

As long as the original mains lead is still with the power brick, its the
best indication whether its safe to use without an earth or not. Of course
with a detachable lead, if examination leaves any doubt as to whether its 2
or 3 wires its easy enough to continuity test the earth pin.

 

[Whiskers]

On 2008-11-08, catchme <someone@somewhere.net> wrote:

john downie2 wrote:
my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer, please?

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.



yes, the 3rd hole is a ground, but while the voltage in Japan is
similiar to North America (despite Japan only having 2 leads), i dont
know what the voltage is in the UK.
Japan runs 110v. on a 60a circuit, whereas Canada does 120.

UK standard domestic mains runs at 240V 50 Hz and most houses have been
wired with "13 Amp ringmains" since the '60s. Our standard 13 Amp plugs
and sockets have three pins; there are no standard 2-pin plugs that fit
the 3-pin mains sockets - which require a third pin to open the shutters
in the 'live' and 'neutral' holes before anything can be inserted into
them (the earth pin being longer than the other two). Appliances which
don't need an earth connection can be fitted with plugs having a plastic
'earth pin' (which presumably saves manufacturers money).

Japan's mains apparently runs at 100V, 50 or 60 Hz, and the plugs and
sockets are only superficially similar to those used in the US. They seem
to be rated at 10 12 or 15 Amps. (60 Amps would be pretty nasty if things
went a little awry, even if a 6 KW fire might be useful). Three-pin
earthed sockets are apparently not as common as might be desired. See
<http://www.powercords.co.uk/standard.htm#JAPAN>
<http://www.powercords.co.uk/pc123.htm>

--
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
-- Whiskers
-- ~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <5JkRk.106$Cn3.92@newsfe20.iad>,
catchme <someone@somewhere.net> wrote:

yes, the 3rd hole is a ground, but while the voltage in Japan is
similiar to North America (despite Japan only having 2 leads), i dont
know what the voltage is in the UK.
Japan runs 110v. on a 60a circuit, whereas Canada does 120.

The UK is 240v. Actual spec is 230 +10/-6% to fall in line with Europe,
but it hasn't changed from the old nominal 240.

--
*Am I ambivalent? Well, yes and no.

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

 

[hr(bob) hofmann@att.net]

On Nov 8, 5:48 pm, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:

In article <5JkRk.106$Cn3...@newsfe20.iad>,
   catchme <some...@somewhere.net> wrote:

yes, the 3rd hole is a ground, but while the voltage in Japan is
similiar to North America (despite Japan only having 2 leads), i dont
know what the voltage is in the UK.
Japan runs 110v. on a 60a circuit, whereas Canada does 120.

The UK is 240v. Actual spec is 230 +10/-6% to fall in line with Europe,
but it hasn't changed from the old nominal 240.

--
*Am I ambivalent? Well, yes and no.  

    Dave Plowman        d...@davenoise.co.uk           London SW
                  To e-mail, change noise into sound.

The answer to the original poster is yes, if the power brick will
accept as low as 100V andat 50 or 60 Hz, then everything will be fine.

 

[john d hamilton]

"hr(bob) hofmann@att.net" <hrhofmann@att.net> wrote in message
news:5804e16d-3706-4f8c-a8ae-74ebe34bdea8@a29g2000pra.googlegroups.com...
On Nov 8, 5:48 pm, "Dave Plowman (News)" <d...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:

In article <5JkRk.106$Cn3...@newsfe20.iad>,
catchme <some...@somewhere.net> wrote:

yes, the 3rd hole is a ground, but while the voltage in Japan is
similiar to North America (despite Japan only having 2 leads), i dont
know what the voltage is in the UK.
Japan runs 110v. on a 60a circuit, whereas Canada does 120.

The UK is 240v. Actual spec is 230 +10/-6% to fall in line with Europe,
but it hasn't changed from the old nominal 240.
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

The answer to the original poster is yes, if the power brick will
accept as low as 100V andat 50 or 60 Hz, then everything will be fine.

Many thanks to all. The power brick will take the lower japanese voltage.
The japanese mains plug sockets only have two pins, so they dont have an
earth connection.

 

[lars]

Peter Hucker:

Power bricks are plastic and don't need to be earthed for safety reasons.
His question, which nobody has answered yet,
is whether the supply NEEDS an earth to operate correctly.

The answer is no.

 

[Arfa Daily]

<snip>

yes, the 3rd hole is a ground, but while the voltage in Japan is
similiar to North America (despite Japan only having 2 leads), i dont
know what the voltage is in the UK.
Japan runs 110v. on a 60a circuit, whereas Canada does 120.

Japan is 100v not 110v - see

http://www.currentsolutions.com/knowledge/country_spec_h-n.htm

Arfa

 

[Arfa Daily]

UK standard domestic mains runs at 240V 50 Hz and most houses have been
wired with "13 Amp ringmains" since the '60s.

Ringmain circuits in the UK are nominally rated at 30A, but have *outlets*
on them rated to 13A. Bit of a 'picky' point, I know, but might be a bit
misleading to non uk posters, the way you had put it.

Arfa

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <v6FRk.32439$mr4.6073@newsfe19.ams2>,
Arfa Daily <arfa.daily@ntlworld.com> wrote:

Ringmain circuits in the UK are nominally rated at 30A, but have
*outlets* on them rated to 13A. Bit of a 'picky' point, I know, but
might be a bit misleading to non uk posters, the way you had put it.

Being even more picky they're actually rated at 32 amps.

--
*Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things? *

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

 

[Arfa Daily]

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4ffba77383dave@davenoise.co.uk...

In article <v6FRk.32439$mr4.6073@newsfe19.ams2>,
Arfa Daily <arfa.daily@ntlworld.com> wrote:
Ringmain circuits in the UK are nominally rated at 30A, but have
*outlets* on them rated to 13A. Bit of a 'picky' point, I know, but
might be a bit misleading to non uk posters, the way you had put it.

Being even more picky they're actually rated at 32 amps.

Well, the cable itself may be rated to 32 amps, and the breaker may be
either 32 amps or 30 amps in an older installation, but never-the-less, this
type of installation has always been known generically as a '30 amp ring
main circuit' and is generally accepted as being safely rated to 30 amps to
include all ages of installation.

See

http://www.diydata.com/planning/ring_main/ring_main.php

http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/diy/electrics/power_circuit/power_circuit_1.html

Arfa

 

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <EFJRk.52823$vm.21202@newsfe08.ams2>,
Arfa Daily <arfa.daily@ntlworld.com> wrote:

Well, the cable itself may be rated to 32 amps, and the breaker may be
either 32 amps or 30 amps in an older installation, but never-the-less,
this type of installation has always been known generically as a '30
amp ring main circuit' and is generally accepted as being safely rated
to 30 amps to include all ages of installation.

Dates from the days of rewirable fuses were it was a nice round figure.
But with those you could comfortably exceed 30 amps if the load was
imposed gently. MCBs react rather quicker so it's now 32 amps.

It's actually quite tricky to work out the loading in various parts of the
ring since there are so many variables - the lengths and how it is run,
ventilation wise. As well as where the load is actually taken. It's
basically a bit of a bodge - but a very satisfactory one for today's
lifestyle despite being some 60 years old in conception.

--
*I'm pretty sure that sex is better than logic, but I can't prove it.

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

 

[Peter Hucker]

On Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:51:43 -0000, lars <lars@testbox.tld> wrote:

Peter Hucker:

Power bricks are plastic and don't need to be earthed for safety reasons.
His question, which nobody has answered yet,
is whether the supply NEEDS an earth to operate correctly.

The answer is no.

Then I wonder what it's connected to? The plastic chassis? What good does that do?

--
http://www.petersparrots.com http://www.insanevideoclips.com http://www.petersphotos.com

While proudly showing off his new fraternity house to friends, a college student led the way into the den. "What is the big brass gong and hammer for?" one of his friends asked.
"That's the talking clock", the man replied, with a grin. "Let me show you how it works!" And with that, he gave the gong an ear-shattering pound with the hammer.
Suddenly someone screamed from the other side of the wall, "KNOCK IT OFF, YOU ARSEHOLES! IT'S 2 AM!"

 

[Peter Hucker]

On Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:16:47 -0000, Whiskers <catwheezel@operamail.com> wrote:

On 2008-11-08, catchme <someone@somewhere.net> wrote:
john downie2 wrote:
my brother wishes wishes to take an Acer Aspire One mini-notebook to japan,
from London, u.k. .

He already has in his house a lead with a japanese type mains plug on one
end and the normal type two pin femail type plug (the same as often goes
into radios, etc) that will go into the computer transformer.

But we see that the Aspire One has an additional *third* hole alongside the
usual two hole plug that goes into the computer transformer. The three holes
forming a triangle shape.

Is it alright to use our existing two hole Japanese type lead and then only
use *two* out of the three pins coming from the aspire transformer, please?

My guess is that the third hole is only an *earth* connection. although this
might be an additional safety feature, our main concern is whether it might
do any damage to use the two pin only lead?

I have emailed the technical services department and the spares department,
but neither will answer the question, only want to sell me one of their
three hole leads. Thanks for your advice.



yes, the 3rd hole is a ground, but while the voltage in Japan is
similiar to North America (despite Japan only having 2 leads), i dont
know what the voltage is in the UK.
Japan runs 110v. on a 60a circuit, whereas Canada does 120.

UK standard domestic mains runs at 240V 50 Hz and most houses have been
wired with "13 Amp ringmains" since the '60s. Our standard 13 Amp plugs
and sockets have three pins; there are no standard 2-pin plugs that fit
the 3-pin mains sockets - which require a third pin to open the shutters
in the 'live' and 'neutral' holes before anything can be inserted into
them (the earth pin being longer than the other two). Appliances which
don't need an earth connection can be fitted with plugs having a plastic
'earth pin' (which presumably saves manufacturers money).

And costs you money when you stand on one and snap the pin off. Even worse when it's a wall wart.

Japan's mains apparently runs at 100V, 50 or 60 Hz, and the plugs and
sockets are only superficially similar to those used in the US. They seem
to be rated at 10 12 or 15 Amps. (60 Amps would be pretty nasty if things
went a little awry, even if a 6 KW fire might be useful).

Our UK ring mains are 6kW too, why are you surprised?

Three-pin

earthed sockets are apparently not as common as might be desired. See
http://www.powercords.co.uk/standard.htm#JAPAN
http://www.powercords.co.uk/pc123.htm

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