Table of Contents
Who created plugs?
Harvey Hubbell
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.
Who invented the British plug?
Early history According to British author John Mellanby the first plug and socket in England was introduced by T. T. Smith in 1883, and there were two-pin designs by 1885, one of which appears in the (British) General Electric Company catalogue of 1889.
Why are UK plugs so big?
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”. 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.
Who invented the 13amp plug?
Image right shows a 13A fused plug version that complied with BS 1363; see details. Dorman & Smith patented in 1943 a 13A plug.
When was the three prong outlet invented?
In 1969, Underwriters Laboratories mandated three-prong plugs on major appliances for safety. At that time, only half of the receptacles in US homes were three-prong.
When were polarized plugs introduced?
Although polarized outlets and plugs were introduced in the 1880s, they were not popular at first and did not become standard until the mid-20th century.
When was the 3 prong outlet invented?
When was the electric plug invented?
November 8, 1904
On November 8, 1904, Harvey Hubbell II patented the first detachable electric plug in the United States. The Separable Attachment-Plug, US patent number 774,250, followed Hubbell’s electric switch design in 1891 and his patent for the pull-chain electrical light socket in 1896.
When did polarized plugs start?
What does NEMA 5 20p mean?
This identifier determines whether the device is a plug, P, or a receptacle/outlet, R. Thus, an L5-15P is a locking 125 volt, 15 amp, plug. A 5-20R is a straight blade, 125 volt, 20 amp, receptacle or outlet.