Does a plug need the 3rd pin?

[Saddlebag]

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]

The earth pin activates the shutter mechanism in the socket. Without it, you won't get the plug in.

[chibbard]

Yes, it still works (i really should replace the plug on my jigsaw). Hahahaha

[joewilliams]

The earth pin is still used to open the shutters on the live & neutral receptacles.

[Saddlebag]

so I can just glue it back on then!

[joewilliams]

Saddlebag said:

so I can just glue it back on then!

Better to cut it off and attach a new one.

[Torquey]

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]

Buy a new plug you peasant !

[Druid]

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]

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]

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')

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

blueg33 said:

One small finger in earth opens the shutter, another small finger in one of the others and......

bks.

[Gokartmozart]

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]

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]

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]

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!