Hello friends welcome to the new post. In this post, we will have a detailed look at Why Are There Holes In Plugs? Holes in plugs are used for gripping the plugs in sockets. Sockets come with bumps in the inner side. These bumps are made for fitting holes. Without these bumps and holes, it is easy to plug out of the socket. The existence of holes and bumps provides resistance without making it difficult to unplug.. In this post, we’ll discuss the different types of plugs that have holes. So let’s get started why are there holes in plugs
What Do Holes in Electrical Plugs Do?
Providing gripping holes in electrical plugs helps to reduce teh use of metallic components. Manufacturers do not need to use whole metallic sheets for making plugs. It saves materials costs for the longer duration of work.
Holes also work as security parameters. Some manufacturers added stages to holes so avoid plugs used without removing tags.
it is said but some engineers that adding holes in plugs helps plug to connect with live wires if the socket is not available. Such as connecting electric clamps to holes helps current to flow from supply to plug.
Who Invented Holes in Plugs?
Harvey Hubbell Jr invented the holes in prongs while finding the method to make plug grip in sockets easily. His work as adding small indents in prongs, that then make contact with bumps in sockets. Finally, indents are replaced with holes with the same principle.
Do All Electrical Plugs Have Holes?
It is considered that holes are not needed for electrical plugs. Plug holes are features of Type A and Type B plugs. These are used in the USA, Canada, Japan, and some other countries.
This standard is called the NEMA standard. It is not uncommon for plugs to not have holes, though holes are commonplace. The basic difference between Type A and Type B plugs is that Type B comes with an additional pin called a ground pin.
In Europe, there are narrow and circular prongs for plugs. This plug type comes with many types, like the Type E standard used in France, and the Type F standard.
Some standards like Type G standard used in UK and the TYpe I standard used in Australia use flate prongs like Type A and Type B standards.
The Type G standard uses a thick prong and does not use holes. Type I plugs come with flat prongs like Type A and Type B, plugs that use this standard come with holes, but they do not exist universally.
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Why Do Electronic Plugs Have Them?
- If you check the outlet contact wipers that the prong slid into, you will get bumps on them. These bumps are fitted in holes so the outlet can grip the plug prong strongly. This detection prevents the plug from coming out of the socket due to the weight of the plug and cord. It also increases contact between the plug and the outlet.
- Electrical devices are factory-sealed by manufacturers with the use of plastic tie that pass through one or both prong holes. Industrial parameters are needed for this sealing. Such as manufacturers apply plastic bands through holes and connect it with tags, that says, “You must do blah blah blah before plugging in this device.” Users cannot plug in the device without removing the tag, so users make sure to check the instructions.
Types of Plugs with Holes
There are different types of Plugs with holes explained here
2 Prong Plug Holes
It was called Neam1-15, at the time when made by Harvey Hubbell II, two-pronged plugs were called Type A plugs. These types of underground plugs are commonly used in North and Central America. The two-prong comes with a hot and neutral side. The wider prong connects to the neutral wire and the smaller prong is the hot part of the circuit
3 Prong Plug Holes
It is known as the Grounding Receptacle. Contrary to 2 prong receptacles, three-prong receptacles are connected with ground that protects electrical devices that is plugged in it from damage due to short circuits. If any one of the prongs or wires is dislodged, the current does not flow as effectively through the device. This leakage current can affect devices or also shock the users as it is not connected to the ground.
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Purpose of Electric Plug Holes
Both sides of the outlet are important for the transfer of energy. There is a visible side, normally covered with a wall plate. The other side of the outlet comes with wiring that gets energy from the circuit.
The holes or slots, in electrical plugs help current flow in devices. The electric current operates from the hot slot and back to the neutral slot. Electrical cords with 3 prongs are connected to the building’s ground system.
The prong of the electrical cords is made of metallic to operate energy transfer from the outlet. Some cords and outlets have two prongs and the other comes with one. 3rd prong is a method to ensure safety on devices that come with metallic casing.
Here are two common types of outlets used at homes and offices.
North American Type A Outlets
Type A outlet comes with two holes, for prongs to enter. These prongs are flat and one is larger than the other. The larger prong connects to the neutral slot, and the small prong connects to the hot line.
The 2 metallic prongs completed the current loop from the hot slots to the neutral slots. These slots connected metallic wires to the other side of the outlet. Two-prong outlets are called polarized nonground-type outlets.
North American Type B Outlets
Type B outlets have 3 holes. These are two flat slots for hot and neutral prongs and round pin. This pin known as an earth pin since wiring goes to dead-end work as grounder for an outlet.
It is longer thatn flat prongs from safety measures. The grounding pin is longer it is first to connect in the outlet. It makes sure hot wires do not get added first. Earth pins work as safety parameters for short circuits. But these plgus can casues hazards for electric shock.
Why do plugs have 2 size prongs?
The hot wire is smaller than two, and it is a prong that must connected to the outlet first. The larger, neutral prong completes a circuit and helps current to flow easily from the home electrical system to devices.
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What About Plugs with Blades the Same Width?
Some devices can plugged in any direction due to the same width of both blades on the plug. It can be unsafe for AC power lamp, or devices that need DC to invest incoming power from the wall before it is used in the first place. These devices operate the AC power of a circuit called an inverter for creating DC power then used by the device.
As AC curent change polarity electric current passes in both directions, so it does not matter which prong charger gets power. Since it is done through a rectifier circuit, it is converted into a DC curent so there is no chance of harm to plugging it with a prong in any hole of the plug
Why Do Some Homes Have Two-Prong Outlets?
Outlets at homes made before the 1960s come with two prongs. As they are not the grounding category, according to NEC they can be used if used in the right way. We can check the two-prong outlet with a circuit tester to make sure it is safe to operate for small devices used at home.
The 3 pronged connection plug cannot used with two-prong receptacle outlets. So not brake grounding prong off 3 prong connection plugg. It can cause serious issues.
What Does the Third Outlet Prong Do?
Some plugs come with 3rd small and semi-rounded prong connected at the lower end of the plug, in the middle of two blends. 3rd prong is used for grounding and it has features.
- The ground circuit is connected with the neutral circuit at the home breaker box, making a safety valve for the electrical system
- if a short circuit occurs in the device, the ground prong makes the path of low resistance that power is used to main electrical panle and then in the ground through the electrical service’s grounding system.
What is a 3-prong plug called?
The 3 pronged receptacle is called the grounding receptacle. Contrary to two-prong receptacles, 3 prong receptacles are connected to the ground to protect electrical devices that is connected to damage in a result of short circuits.
What is a 2-prong plug called?
it is called Nema 1-15 if it was made by Harvey Hubbel II, 2 pronged plugs are called Type A plugs. These types of underground plugs are commonly used in North and Central America.
Which side of a 2-prong plug is positive?
As there is AC used prong does not have a specific positive or negative side. But two prongs have hot and neutral sides. The wider prong connects with a neutral wire and the small prong with a hot wire.
What happens if the third prong breaks?
If any one prong or wire get dislodged, curent not flow in the device. It can affect the devices.
What is the purpose of plug-hole
It prevents the plug from pulling out of the socket from the weight of the plug or cord. It helps to enhance contact between the plug and the outlet. Some devices also have factory sealed or locked out.
Why do electrical plugs have two prongs?
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FAQs
Q1 -Do all plugs have holes?
Both two-prong and 3 prong electrical cords come with holes in them. There will be a single hole close to the end of the hot prong and neutral prong.
Q2- Is it safe to use a plug with no holes?
There is no cause why electrical cordes come with holes in prongs. Electrical cords will remain secure in wall outlets with or without holes in their prongs.
Q3- Are Type A plugs safe?
Type A plugs come with two polarised prongs, with different sizes. This plug style is more dangerous and outwards from use in new desing in the United States since 1965.
Q4- Why don’t all countries use the same plug?
For outlets and plugs, countries come with different standard voltages, hertz frequencies, and electronic devices all made to work with outlets and voltages are accustomed to.
Q5- What are the prongs on a plug called?
Electrical plugs come with two or three prongs. Hot and neutral pins exist in two- and three-pronged plugs. A grounding pin is used in three-pronged plugs as a safety feature.
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