Why do some plugs not have an earth wire?

As the wire is made of copper, the earth wire provides a low resistance path to the ground. Some appliances, such as vacuum cleaners and electric drills, do not have an earth wire. This is because they have plastic casings, or they have been designed so that the live wire cannot touch the casing.

Do all plugs have an earth wire?

Not all electrical appliances require earth connection for safety. There are double insulated electrical appliances which only require two connections – a line (phase) and a neutral to the supply. A double insulated appliance is designed in such a way that it does not require an earth connection for safety.

Why do European plugs have 2 pins?

2-pole means that the device plug is not earthed and it normally has two pins that transmit electricity. Originally, all electrical devices were fitted with 2-pole plugs, which means that the devices were not earthed and that all mains sockets were constructed for 2-pole plugs.

How are European plugs grounded?

Continental Europe Grounding is achieved through the grounding clips on the sides of the plug body. The CEE 7/7 plug also has a female receptacle, which permits it to be plugged into the French/Belgian sockets that have a male grounding pin.

What are three pin plugs?

Three-pin plug and socket In a three-pin plug, the top pin is for earthing, the pin on left is for live and the pin on the right is for neutral. In a socket, the upper big hole is for earthing, the hole on the right is for the live wire connection and the hole on the left is for the neutral wire connection.

Why do some plugs have a plastic pin?

As double-insulated appliances don’t require an earth connection, a plastic earth pin is molded into the plug in order to open the socket shutters in place of a normal metallic earth pin.

Are all UK sockets earthed?

Whilst all UK sockets should be earthed, there is no harm in checking this. That way you can be sure that you are getting the full earthing effect from your products. Our UK earthing products will fit and test any UK socket as well as all International sockets when combined with the relevant earthed adapter.