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Saddlebag

Original Poster:

147 posts

33 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
On 3 pin plugs now, the top pin (earth) is just a plastic pin, that appears connected to nothing.

What happens if it has snapped off? Does the item still work? Does the world explode in a huge ball of flame?

MonkeyHanger

8,417 posts

111 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
The earth pin activates the shutter mechanism in the socket. Without it, you won't get the plug in.

chibbard

680 posts

129 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
Yes, it still works (i really should replace the plug on my jigsaw). Hahahaha

joewilliams

1,456 posts

70 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
The earth pin is still used to open the shutters on the live & neutral receptacles.

Saddlebag

Original Poster:

147 posts

33 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
so I can just glue it back on then!
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joewilliams

1,456 posts

70 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
Saddlebag said:
so I can just glue it back on then!
Better to cut it off and attach a new one.

Torquey

1,039 posts

97 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
If you want but its likely to snap off again, blocking the socket from beng used by anything else.

I'd just buy a new plug!

bimsb6

4,250 posts

90 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
Buy a new plug you peasant !

Druid

969 posts

50 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
Saddlebag said:
On 3 pin plugs now, the top pin (earth) is just a plastic pin, that appears connected to nothing.

What happens if it has snapped off? Does the item still work? Does the world explode in a huge ball of flame?
Do you do DIY?

Simpo Two

54,179 posts

134 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
Increasingly stuff is sold with moulded plugs. I fear 'how to wire a plug' is a skill being consigned to history (along with 'reading instructions' and 'knowing if food is safe to eat')

danyeates

4,353 posts

91 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
Simpo Two said:
Increasingly stuff is sold with moulded plugs. I fear 'how to wire a plug' is a skill being consigned to history (along with 'reading instructions' and 'knowing if food is safe to eat')
smile

I've only just bought my first house and I already have a good selection of spare plugs, just in case! Probably will never use them but I know how, and they're there in case of emergency.

davepoth

19,862 posts

68 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
MonkeyHanger said:
The earth pin activates the shutter mechanism in the socket. Without it, you won't get the plug in.
And that makes it pretty much the best domestic plug and socket combo in the world IMO.

Riff Raff

2,222 posts

64 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
davepoth said:
MonkeyHanger said:
The earth pin activates the shutter mechanism in the socket. Without it, you won't get the plug in.
And that makes it pretty much the best domestic plug and socket combo in the world IMO.
What I've never understood is, given the sockets are safe (shuttered) until the earth pin goes in, why people spend money on blanking plugs at Mothercare and the likes. WOFTAM.

blueg33

10,721 posts

93 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
Riff Raff said:
What I've never understood is, given the sockets are safe (shuttered) until the earth pin goes in, why people spend money on blanking plugs at Mothercare and the likes. WOFTAM.
One small finger in earth opens the shutter, another small finger in one of the others and......

New POD

1,908 posts

19 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
blueg33 said:
One small finger in earth opens the shutter, another small finger in one of the others and......
one knife in the earth, one knife in the live, one angry dad.

Lucky we were posh and had bone handled knives, otherwise I would have died in 1972 aged 5.

dirkgently

1,285 posts

100 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
blueg33 said:
One small finger in earth opens the shutter, another small finger in one of the others and......
bks.

Gokartmozart

975 posts

74 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
Riff Raff said:
What I've never understood is, given the sockets are safe (shuttered) until the earth pin goes in, why people spend money on blanking plugs at Mothercare and the likes. WOFTAM.
Ram a pencil or similar, into the earth pin, put two fingers across the the Live and Neutral.

Chances are slim it would happen, but...


z4chris99

5,707 posts

48 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
moving from middle easy to uk most of our stuff was two pin..

simple jam a biro in the earth and mash the two pun the the socket... third pin does squat

hairyben

2,424 posts

52 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
z4chris99 said:
moving from middle easy to uk most of our stuff was two pin..

simple jam a biro in the earth and mash the two pun the the socket... third pin does squat
And die in an inferno caused by an electrical arc cos you were to tight to buy 13a plugs @ 59p or easy fit converter things @ 99p each. Win.

Druid

969 posts

50 months

[news] 
Monday 28th May 2012 quote quote all
z4chris99 said:
moving from middle easy to uk most of our stuff was two pin..

simple jam a biro in the earth and mash the two pun the the socket... third pin does squat
Jam? Mash? Pun? No, sorry didn't get it!
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