Why are some plugs different sizes?

Why are some plugs different sizes?

Why Are Outlet Plugs Different Sizes? Therefore, engineers came up with the idea to make the neutral blade on each plug slightly wider than the hot blade and to make the hole for the neutral blade in each outlet slightly wider than the hot side.

What is the difference between 2-pin and 3-pin plug?

The main difference between a two-prong outlet and a three-prong outlet is that a three-prong outlet has a ground wire, while a two-prong outlet doesn’t. Your hot wire delivers electricity to the outlet while the neutral wire sends the electricity back to the main electrical panel.

Why is one pin bigger in a 3-pin plug?

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.

Why is one plug bigger than the other?

Why One Prong Is Bigger Polarized nongrounding-type plugs have one prong, the neutral, that’s larger than the other to ensure that the hot wire, which is the smaller one, is tapped correctly. Electricity streams in a circuit, which is a closed path of components where electrons flow from a current source.

Why do plugs have 2 different size prongs?

A commonly asked question is ” Why does my 2-prong style plug have different sized metal pins?” (Shown in the image below.) The answer is because it is polarized. When plugged in, the electricity enters your plug through the hot wire prong and then exits through the neutral prong, to complete the circuit.

Which is safer to use the 2-prong or the 3 prong plug Why?

This is what makes two-prong outlets the least safe of any type of outlet. Two-prong outlets have connections only for hot and neutral wire, hence their name. Without a third-prong for a connected ground wire, unstable electricity doesn’t have a path to travel safely away from you and your electrical system.

Why do European plugs only 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.

Why the earth pin is not the same size as the other 2 pins?

First reason, to prevent the wrong way to operate a 3-pin plug and connected electrical machine for the safety purpose. In other words, 3-Pin plug wont be connect to the socket upside down as the earth pin is thicker, so it won’t adjust and fit in another slot made for Neutral or Live Pin in the socket.

Why do some plugs have 3 prongs?

Why do we use three prong plugs? A three prong plug is designed so that electricity can be safely supplied to electrical appliances. The third prong grounds the electricity to protect anyone who uses the metal-encased appliance from electric shock.

Why do plugs have 2 holes in the prongs?

These bumps fit into the holes so that the outlet can grip the plug’s prongs more firmly. This detenting prevents the plug from slipping out of the socket due to the weight of the plug and cord. It also improves the contact between the plug and the outlet.

What is the purpose of a three pin plug?

They are designed to ensure a safe supply of electricity to electrical appliances. They guard our lives against shocks. A three-pin plug contains an earth, active and neutral pin. But the earth pin is always longer and thicker than the other two pins,

What’s the difference between a 2 pin plug and a hot plug?

A ‘plug’ is a device that attaches to the end of an electrical wire and fits into an electrical current socket, usually situated in walls. The 2-pin plug consists of two prongs, one called the ‘hot’ or ‘live’ and the other called the ‘neutral’. When connected with an electric circuit, the current flows from the live to the neutral prongs.

Why is the earth pin in a three pin plug longer and thicker than the other?

Earth connection safely conducts the discharge on the body of the appliance to ground. One of the pins in a three-pin plug is longer and thicker than the other pins for the following reasons: To make contact with the earth point in the power socket before the line and neutral while inserting the plug.

Why does a three prong plug have a ground wire?

The three prong plug incorporates a ground wire for safety. If there is a short circuit in an appliance that has a three prong plug, the current will travel back to the electrical panel and either blow the fuse to that circuit or trip the circuit breaker to shut power down on that circuit.