Why does a plug have 3 pins?
Why does a plug have 3 pins?
3 pin plugs are designed so that mains electricity can be supplied to electrical appliances safely. Each pin must be correctly connected to the three wires in the electrical cable. Each wire has its own specified colour so as it can be easily identified.
Are round pin plugs legal in UK?
These can be used for any device sold in the UK today so why are there different sockets anyway. The 5 amp small round pin socket is now primarily only used for lighting circuits.
Why is the earth pin in a 3 pin plug the longest?
The earth pin is long so that the earth connection is made first. This ensures the safety of the user because if the appliance is defective, the fuse will blow off. The earth pin is made thicker so that even by mistake it cannot be inserted into the hole for the live or neutral connection of the socket.
What are the three pins in a plug called?
A plug connects a device to the mains electricity supply. The cable between the device and the three-pin plug contains three copper wires that are coated with plastic….Plugs.
| Features of a plug | Function |
|---|---|
| Live wire | Copper wire coated with brown plastic along which the current enters the device |
Why does a UK plug have 3 pins?
Prong Design: Like standard U.S. grounded plugs, the U.K. wall plug has three prongs. The U.K. plug is designed so that the grounding prong is slightly longer than the prongs responsible for transferring current.
Why are clove shaped plugs illegal?
Beard straightener – here we see an illegal clove shaped plug used10. This item poses a risk of fire and electric shock as the plug is not fused. This again is illegal under the Plugs & Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994.
Why is the earth pin longer in a plug?
Why it is Longer? The earth pin should be the first to connect and the last to disconnect with electric supply. This is why earth pin is longer than the live and neutral pin on 3-pin plugins. The earth pin is the last to disconnect from the socket when removing the plug from the socket.
Who invented the 3-pin plug?
Since its invention back in 1904 by Harvey Hubbell the plug has not really undergone a change in form, its purpose was for lighting in the home. The 3 prong plug, invented by Phillip Labre in 1926, brought about new uses; appliances once available only in public areas became available to buy for the home.