They’re in practically every piece of equipment you own. I’m referring to the two holes in your electrical plugs. So, what are those for, exactly? I’m sure you’re assuming they have a certain purpose. Well, we’ll address your query in this article, so grab a drink and let’s get started.
Why Do Electric Plugs Have Holes?
Holes on the end of a plug are the solution to a question you may have had at one time. What is the purpose of the holes on the end of electrical plugs?
This explanation is straightforward: to strengthen the cord’s stability and secure it in place. Furthermore, the holes have no other purpose than to conserve material during production. The design hasn’t changed in years.
An extra ground prong is also included in the patent design, which adds to the overall stability. Plugs come in a variety of styles, each with additional security features. Learn more about each category by continuing to read.
Why Do Plug Ends Have Holes With 3 Prongs?
Three prongs are seen on many plugs. The other two are the points at which electricity enters the apparatus. The ground prong is longer than the other prongs to ensure that the cord stays in place while being plugged in.
Japan, North America, Mexico, and a few other countries utilize grounded power plugs. Ireland, Britain, Hong Kong, Malta, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, and a few more countries utilize the two-pronged power connector.
The round grounding pin on one side of a three-prong power plug is flat. It’s made to fit into a circular outlet that can accept two round pins at the same time to keep it in place. It also ensures that electrical goods are grounded while in use, preventing shock or excessive voltage when they come into contact with water or other moist surfaces while operating or plugged in.
Can I Use A Plug Without Holes?
Making a plug without holes; however, this is not a popular design. Without the ground prong and holes, it can be difficult to keep gadgets in the socket. Even if they were previously patented, they’re a useful feature! Several appliances have no holes at the plug’s end. These are still widely available and can be utilized effectively.
Why Do Some Plugs Have A Sideways Prong?
For specific uses, some plug ends have distinct configurations. When a plug has a sideways prong, it is normally rated for 20 amps rather than 15 amps. This is typical of kitchen equipment that is rated for heavy use. It’s also prevalent on power instruments with a high duty rating, such as table saws.
Ends of plugs with a sideways prong are typically used for ornamental purposes in furniture. These plugs aren’t grounded; therefore, they won’t function with devices that require them.
Why Does an Outlet Have Three Holes?
Harvey Hubbell II was the first to patent an electrical plug design in 1884. Plugs are being created today using the same patent design that has been in use for more than a century. Originally, the three holes on the end of an electric plug were only for decoration. They were just used to save material during the manufacturing process. The ground prong was installed to improve stability and safety in 1905, giving these holes a new role.
If your plug has a ground prong, you’ll see that it has three holes on the end. Instead of three prongs, some plugs feature two or four prongs. These plugs feature two or four holes on the ends to exactly match with outlets.
When a gadget is attached to a plug with more than 3 prongs, it can only be plugged into an outlet with the same hole number on the faceplate. While some three-prong plugs contain two grounding slots, they only have 3 holes on the other end because they can’t connect to devices with more than one grounding slot.
Are Two-Prong Plugs Safe?
There are three main sorts of plug ends. Why are there holes in electric plugs? The two-prong plug, which has both an ungrounded & grounded prong, is the original type. The three-prong plug, which has an ungrounded & grounded prong and a grounding prong, is the next option and the grounding-only three-prong plug comprises only a grounding wire and no ungrounded or grounded wire is the ultimate form of plug end.
Because two-prong connectors do not include a ground wire to complete the circuit, they are not safe on their own. This can be problematic for persons who use items that require a solid surface to operate correctly, such as kitchen appliances, clocks, and so on. To avoid electrical shock, always use a three-wire plug with all of its wires attached.
Any equipment that could represent a threat if connected into a non-grounded outlet in the United States is required by law to have ground. If you want to keep your appliances safe, use a grounded or three-prong plug end on all outlets where they’ll be plugged in all the time, but two prongs will suffice.
Conclusion
Harvey Hubbell, a scientist, and inventor invented the electrical plug socket in the United States in 1913. He was the first to invent the two holes in the US plugs that we all know and love today. Those two holes were originally designed to keep the plug from slipping out of the socket, which made it logical — back then.
On the other hand, today’s sockets are an entirely different design that relies on friction to keep the plug from falling out, rendering those holes obsolete. One popular belief – which is most likely a hoax – is that the two holes might have been used to lock a plug with a plug lock back in the 1930s, stopping someone from using a specific gadget or appliance. On the other hand, Plug locks were not invented until the 1950s.
People expect plugs to have two holes even if they are no longer needed. As a result, today’s holes in plugs are of little use or value. You may not have considered it, but the plug would still function normally if they were absent.
Lastly, we at ICRFQ are the best electrical components manufacturers in China; if you are planning to purchase such, contact us for quality, fast delivery and affordable prices.
If you want to find more Electronic Components Distributors, please check out the following articles:
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