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In a 3-Pin Plug, one pin is larger than the rest. Why?

In a 3-Pin Plug, one pin is larger than the rest. Why?

K@RTHIK

@k-at-rthik-DkUuBI • Oct 26, 2024

Oct 26, 2024

1.5K

in a 3plug pin why one pin is designed larger than the rest,any reason for this!

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pikachu1994

@pikachu1994-UcQIIJ • Aug 27, 2012

the reasons are (1) that it has to operate the safety shutters fitted to the corresponding socket outlet, enabling the line and neutral pins to enter the socket, and (2) it ensures that the appliance is always earthed before it is energised and de-energised before being unearthed.

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Saandeep Sreerambatla

@saandeep-sreerambatla-hWHU1M • Aug 28, 2012

Normal terms the big one is for earthing!

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pikachu1994

@pikachu1994-UcQIIJ • Aug 28, 2012

if it is wrong please correct me

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sndgpr26

@sndgpr26-Yb3sXd • Aug 28, 2012

pikachu1994the reasons are (1) that it has to operate the safety shutters fitted to the corresponding socket outlet, enabling the line and neutral pins to enter the socket, and (2) it ensures that the appliance is always earthed before it is energised and de-energised before being unearthed.
these two reasons may not justify because it can be done by keeping the third plug of same size also.

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[Prototype]

@prototype-G9Gn5k • Aug 29, 2012

Its just kept bigger to explicitly distinguish it as a Ground so you don't plug it incorrectly.

(Sorry I am not very good in drawing & things, so bear with this)

You see, you're supposed to plug-in A = GND, B = live/neutral, C= live/neutral. If both A, B & C are of same size, what's there to stop me from pluggin A = live/neutral, B=GND or any other way than it should be? You would say it idiotic to plug that way, but such mistakes do happen since humans are involved & sometimes, the curiosity bugs bite hard as well.😛

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naveee

@naveee-QD5zHH • Aug 29, 2012

why earthing is needded ?????👎

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naveee

@naveee-QD5zHH • Aug 29, 2012

sndgpr26these two reasons may not justify because it can be done by keeping the third plug of same size also.
y earthing is need???

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naveee

@naveee-QD5zHH • Aug 29, 2012

can anyone explain me y earthing is need ????

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[Prototype]

@prototype-G9Gn5k • Aug 29, 2012

naveeecan anyone explain me y earthing is need ????
Current always flows in the path having lowest resistance from higher potential to lower potential. Take a case where you've a device with a metallic body & a live getting shorted with it. Now, if there is no ground connected to the body of the device & you touch it, you know what's gonna happen. Here, you'll be the path having lowest resistance connected to the lower potential aka the earth.

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naveee

@naveee-QD5zHH • Aug 29, 2012

[Prototype]Current always flows in the path having lowest resistance from higher potential to lower potential. Take a case where you've a device with a metallic body & a live getting shorted with it. Now, if there is no ground connected to the body of the device & you touch it, you know what's gonna happen. Here, you'll be the path having lowest resistance connected to the lower potential aka the earth.
this implies only to a device having metallic bodies..... ?????

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Jeffrey Arulraj

@jeffrey-xA7lUP • Aug 29, 2012

if you are not yet sure your body offers a resistance of about a mega ohm if there is an alternative path having lesser resistance then you are safe else i don't want to say

a continuation of @[protype]'s post

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Jeffrey Arulraj

@jeffrey-xA7lUP • Aug 29, 2012

naveeethis implies only to a device having metallic bodies..... ?????
not so all devices have some resistance but if that is higher than your body you are at a greater risk

in general that is the reason all devices have metal bodies

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[Prototype]

@prototype-G9Gn5k • Aug 29, 2012

naveeethis implies only to a device having metallic bodies..... ?????
Not at all, but its highly expected in the devices having metallic body. You cannot estimate the number of ways you can get in contact with the live. A cut in a wire, a breakage in device exposing internal parts, handling with wet hands & the list never ends...

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naveee

@naveee-QD5zHH • Aug 29, 2012

another..... a two pin plug wire which has a cut in a wire.... if get in to the contact of tht wire will i be eltrocuted????

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naveee

@naveee-QD5zHH • Aug 29, 2012

[Prototype]Not at all, but its highly expected in the devices having metallic body. You cannot estimate the number of ways you can get in contact with the live. A cut in a wire, a breakage in device exposing internal parts, handling with wet hands & the list never ends...
since a two pin plug wire which has a cut in a wire.... if get in to the contact of tht wire will i be eltrocuted???? ....becoz two pin wont hav a earth ???? conection ?

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[Prototype]

@prototype-G9Gn5k • Aug 29, 2012

naveeesince a two pin plug wire which has a cut in a wire.... if get in to the contact of tht wire will i be eltrocuted???? ....becoz two pin wont hav a earth ???? conection ?
BINGO! Provided you didn't wear any shoes & touching the ground with bare foot, or not lying such a way that some of your bare body part is touching the wall.

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naveee

@naveee-QD5zHH • Aug 29, 2012

wat is the diff between transistor and radio ??????

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[Prototype]

@prototype-G9Gn5k • Aug 29, 2012

naveeewat is the diff between transistor and radio ??????
Prefer creating your own thread with doubts that are not related to the topic of this thread. You'll be served better that way & others will also find it easily if they have similar doubts.

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sndgpr26

@sndgpr26-Yb3sXd • Aug 29, 2012

naveeey earthing is need???
when the two wires get shorted
and suddenly when you touch it you yourself will be the low resistance path for current to flow

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Jeffrey Arulraj

@jeffrey-xA7lUP • Aug 30, 2012

[Prototype]BINGO! Provided you didn't wear any shoes & touching the ground with bare foot, or not lying such a way that some of your bare body part is touching the wall.
this way of dying is not really cool for the pain and agony is too much better dont use shorted switches try to get them fixed and check the earth once in a while

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priya ts

@priya-ts-seBH4D • Aug 30, 2012

for the high safety of human,the earthpin is larger than others

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akshetty

@akshetty-isRWu6 • Aug 30, 2012

its safety & identify to earthing pin..

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nirwan19

@nirwan19-j8ncZR • Aug 30, 2012

K@RTHIKin a 3plug pin why one pin is designed larger than the rest,any reason for this!
In 3 pin plug .....
1> we have 1 live , neutral and earth.
2> Bigger one is for earth as you said.
3> Why bigger ?:-
Ans:- because earth is used to bypass the access current , at the time of any accident . we choose it bigger because it will have less resistance comparatively, So at the time of any accident , then that current will choose the path having low resistance , as you may now .

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naveee

@naveee-QD5zHH • Aug 31, 2012

priya tsfor the high safety of human,the earthpin is larger than others
i thought it is for identification betwn phase nad neutral pin

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Naman Agarwal

@naman-42FOIm • Aug 31, 2012

earthing is done just to provide a path to leakage current if it is there iin the circuit...

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Naman Agarwal

@naman-42FOIm • Oct 5, 2012

3rd pin is larger because larger the area of cross section, lesser is the resistance and thats why leakage current will opt for this path to flow ...thats why 3rd pin is kept larger...

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Jeffrey Arulraj

@jeffrey-xA7lUP • Oct 6, 2012

naman25113rd pin is larger because larger the area of cross section, lesser is the resistance and thats why leakage current will opt for this path to flow ...thats why 3rd pin is kept larger...
True to the part pal

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