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Question of the Day
Question:
"Dr. Hal, when you look at the two flat prongs on the plugs for electrical appliances, why do they have those holes in them?”Answer:
There are two reasons for those holes in the prongs on a plug. If you were to take an outlet apart and look at the contact wipers that those prongs slide into, you'd see that they have bumps on them. These bumps fit into the prong-holes. Coincidence, or conspiracy? Actually the latter, because this detenting, as they call it, prevents the plug from slipping out of the socket due to the weight of the plug and the cord. It also improves the contact (electrical) between the plug and the outlet, which can grip the plug's prongs more firmly. Your witness, Mr. Freud.
The other reason I mentioned is that electrical devices can be "factory sealed" or "locked out" by the manufacturer or owner using a plastic tie through one or both of the plug prong holes. Construction projects or industrial safety requirements may mandate this type of sealing. For bureaucratic or legal reasons a manufacturer might run a plastic band through the prong holes with a card attached reading, "Before plugging in this device, you must make sure this installation conforms to Federal standards 1134-GCDL - 89 R as specified by flapdoodle bongwhaddle jubjub rutabaga protocol code Alpha" or some similarly impenetrable jargon. Believe me, there're buildings full of lawyers with nothing better to do than come up with this stuff. Just cut off the tag and throw it away-- I always do.
Askdrhal.com by
Jascha Ephraim,
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