Electric Fixture Safety

they make better women and sports cars...not sure about switches

Isn't it a question of need, based upon the doubled supply voltage?

Since the 2009 version of the Canadian code... we now require tamper proof receptacles on all receptacles where a child may try to insert something into the receptacle. So... we are catching up.

"What features of European fixtures make them safer?"

Unlike in the U.S.A. where an abundant supply of unsafe Made in China products can be found flooding the market.

Cheaply manufactured Chinese electrical fixtures and low quality electrical appliances are probably not commonly used nor readily available products in Europe?

I would not bet money on that... I get reports from the Canadian federal police as part of my duties on one of the committees I am on, and the cheap and counterfeit product problem is global. The counterfeit product alone is said to be over 20% of global trade (that number may be higher as I do not have the report here at home).

It is getting very hard to identify the counterfeit stuff from legitimate product. Only destructive testing can really find it.

The problem is is that the counterfeit stuff needs to be included in the mix when talking about product quality.

Our industry needs to be aware that... the crap stuff is EVERYWHERE.

And, although I am no fan of Chinese products, they don't have a monopoly on making cheap junk.

With the present economic conditions prevailing in this country, one cannot fully ascertain nor completely ignore the fact that public safety is ultimately being sacrificed! Law of supply and demand dictates that by flooding the market, with repairs and replacements parts using cheap - inferior quality electrical fixtures from China, safety as its end effect always suffers!

Sorry guys... my numbers were way off. It is estimated that counterfeit products are 5 to 7% of global trade. Here is a link with more info...

IEC Document

Jeez... nothing to do with China.
They didn't write your electrical code or choose you distribution system.
Del

My simplistic answer deals with electrical properties.

Based on the part of your question that deals with switches, US switches in a typical household handle half the voltage of European electic service. For the same amount of power the US switch has to handle twice the current.

The typical wall outlet In the US has a larger slot for the Neutral line, a smaller slot for the hot lead and a round one for a ground. In Europe there is no distributed neutral wire. In North America and Latin America the neutral is connected to ground in the power distibution box. In a typical household it handles half the voltage of European electic service and for the same amount of power the US outlet has to handle twice the current for the same power.

The US fixtures are concerned more with higher current and heat and the European fixtures are concerned with higher voltages.

Safety features for fixtures that people come into contact with have been described well by other contributers here.

UK uses large diameter electrons which won't spill out of the outlets.

They are also polished to a better surface finish and a much nice shade of blue.
Del

Although U.S. switches and receptacles may not be as safe as those used in the UK or Europe, I never hear of anyone getting electrocuted because of unsafe fixtures. The switched neutral is a no-no here. Modern plugs are polarized so switched neutrals are eliminated, although people can hook them up wrong if they don't know what they are doing. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) is mandated to keep things safe and they seem to be doing a good job.