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When inserting the plug into the receptacle the ground is the first contact in the circuit to be made by the longer pin and the last to be disconnected from the circuit when disconnecting.
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I think it is because of safety reason. The earth pin will be connected to the earth pin receptor in the socket, making the appliance safe for use as it is already grounded even before the life wire (L and N) are connected to the main socket.
First instead of saying longer you should be precise to say that it is LARGER. (length as well as cross section is more)
More the thickness of the wire/conductor, less is the resistance. A thick earth pin provides a less resistant path for the current to be grounded. This is for safety so the leakage current if any will take the less resistant path to earth pin to ground rather than a person operating an appliance.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe ground pin is longer for safety reasons. Plug in equipment should be grounded before the power is applied to the equipment. If the unit faults when the power pins make contact the already connect ground conductor will carry the fault current to trip the circuit's over current protections. The same action is required when the equipment is unplugged, the last connection to leave the receptacle is the ground pin. The only physical way that this can be achieved is to make the ground pin longer that the other two power pins.
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Why does in an electrical plug the earth pin is longer than other two...what is its main function?
The earth pin is called the equipment grounding conductor. The National Electric Code requires this conductor to be the first to make contact with the receptacle and the last to break contact with the receptacle, the way manufacturers comply with this requirement was to make the pin longer.
When you use a three pin mains plug what is the third biggest pin for?
It depends.Usually the 'biggest' pin on a mains plug is the Ground connection, the other two being Hot and Neutral - but not being familiar with all the world's plug standards and what one may call 'bigger' this may not be accurate.For example, here in the US, a mains plug uses two flat parallel blades and a round pin for Ground. The pin is slightly longer than the two blades, but many would not call it 'bigger'.Other than that, mains plugs all have three connections - Hot, Neutral and Ground. The Ground is usually longer, so it will connect first insuring the device is grounded as it's plugged in and when power is applied.Another AnswerFor countries that use UK-style plugs, the longest pin is the earth (ground) connector, and is longer to enable it to (a) open the protective shutters in the socket, and (b) to ensure the load is earthed before applying power. (The protective shutters prevent kids from sticking anything into the socket and electrocuting themselves).
Why the diameter of earth pin is greater than phase and neutral in socket?
It is important and necessary to insert the right pins into right, correct hole of the socket. Larger diameter earth pin ensures that even by error pins are not inserted wrongly. It is not only larger in dia but also bit longer in length so that the earth pin makes the first contact with earth point before phase pin makes the contact to ensure safety.
In a plug why is the top pin always the longest?
The longer pin on a standard household plug is the GROUND, sometimes called a "U" ground because with some manufacturers, the pin is bent/rolled like a "U". However, there are many other type plugs which have a GROUND PIN but are not shaped like a "U". It is slightly longer than the other pins because it must make contact first (before the power pins) as a safety measure. If there was a fault/defect in the device being plugged in, grounding the device before it receives power will make sure the circuit blows the fuse and does not energize the metal frame of the device which could lead to a shock.
Is it okay to use an adapter to change a three pin plug into a two pin plug?
No, it is not ok, it is potentially very dangerous because the two-wire cable has no earth with it. The earth wire is an important safety component that comes with a three-pin plug. An exception can be made for certain low-power appliances that have double insulation. This includes TV sets, radios, and table lights provided the mounting is plastic and not metal. These appliances are commonly sold with a twin-wire cable but often with a three-pin plug on the end of it. The three-pin plug in this case often has a plastic 'earth' pin and it is safe to replace it with a two-pin plug.
Why does in an electrical plug the earth pin is longer than other two...what is its main function?
The earth pin is called the equipment grounding conductor. The National Electric Code requires this conductor to be the first to make contact with the receptacle and the last to break contact with the receptacle, the way manufacturers comply with this requirement was to make the pin longer.
Why earth pin is longer in 3 pin pluge?
To make sure that the Earth connection is the first connect and the last to disconnect for best possible protection.
In three pin switch why earth pin is made bigger in size?
The earth pin is longer in a three pin plug so that when being plugged it it makes contact to ground the equipmemt before the other pins make the equipment live. If the equipment has a fault, the earth circuit is already in place to deal with it.
How do you connect the 3 pin plug?
One pin for phase other pin for neutral and third one is for earth/ground wire. In India the right pin is for phase, left pin is for neutral and pin on top side is for ground wire. This third top side pin is slightly bigger and longer compared to phase and neutral pins.
Why is the earth pin on a plug made bigger than the others?
Basically as a safety device. It is longer so that it connects before the others and thicker so it can conduct a current more effectively.
When you use a three pin mains plug what is the third biggest pin for?
It depends.Usually the 'biggest' pin on a mains plug is the Ground connection, the other two being Hot and Neutral - but not being familiar with all the world's plug standards and what one may call 'bigger' this may not be accurate.For example, here in the US, a mains plug uses two flat parallel blades and a round pin for Ground. The pin is slightly longer than the two blades, but many would not call it 'bigger'.Other than that, mains plugs all have three connections - Hot, Neutral and Ground. The Ground is usually longer, so it will connect first insuring the device is grounded as it's plugged in and when power is applied.Another AnswerFor countries that use UK-style plugs, the longest pin is the earth (ground) connector, and is longer to enable it to (a) open the protective shutters in the socket, and (b) to ensure the load is earthed before applying power. (The protective shutters prevent kids from sticking anything into the socket and electrocuting themselves).
Why the third pin in a 3-pin electric plug longer in size than other two?
3rd pin (earth ground) is bigger in size so it connect first while plug in and disconnect last while plug out so any leakage current will be grounded and safe for the user. Also it has larger csa to allow leakage current flow through because of low resistance path instead of passing through user.
What is the earth pin in a 3-pin plug?
When you push the plug into the socket the earth pin engages a < gate which stops the live and neutral from being touched from the outside with any object other than the pins of the plug. ==thats the Answer == In US residential power connectors, the earth pin is longer to provide a return path before the hot pin engages. This way an appliance with a short to its case will simply trip a breaker instead of electrocuting the user. Ground Fault Interrupters provide additional protection by detecting an imbalance in the hot and neutral leads.
What else can a rolling pin be used for other than rolling dough?
Your rolling pin is a vital tool and should not be used for any other purpose than rolling dough
Why the earth pointer is big in plug?
The earth pin in a plug is bigger than the other pins so that it makes contact first. This ensures that any exposed metal on the device will be connected to earth before any live pin is connected. Therefore if there is any fault in the wiring it will not cause the exposed metal parts to be live, as a protective device (such as a circuit breaker or fuse) will be able to operate.
Why the diameter of earth pin is greater than phase and neutral in socket?
It is important and necessary to insert the right pins into right, correct hole of the socket. Larger diameter earth pin ensures that even by error pins are not inserted wrongly. It is not only larger in dia but also bit longer in length so that the earth pin makes the first contact with earth point before phase pin makes the contact to ensure safety.
How can you identify a cathode nigative to an LED?
LED has two pins,one is anode(positive) and the other is cathode(negative).The smaller pin is cathode(negative) and the longer pin is anode(positive).
