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Electrical plugs in the UK have 3 prongs, similarly to the US. A Hot, a Neutral and a Ground (earth).
The Ground prong, if present, is a bit longer than the others so it makes contact first when inserted into a socket. The other two prongs are partially insulated near the base of the plug. These are both safety features. As the longer ground pin makes contact first, it is less likely to fault. The partially insulated pins make it less likely someone might touch a conductive surface when inserting or removing a plug.
A longer answer
The UK and Republic of Ireland use a power outlet plug and socket system which is totally different to the rest of Europe:
- All power socket outlets are rated at 13 amps to take a standard 13 amp plug.
- Each power socket has a protective insulated shutter that safely uncovers the live (or hot) and neutral holes when the plug of an appliance is inserted. The shutter immediately covers the holes over again when the plug is removed. The shutter is operated by the insertion of the earth (or ground) pin which is longer than the live and neutral pins.
- Each 13 amp plug has 3 rectangular (not round) pins: a live, a neutral and an earth pin. There is also a fuse that should be selected to be of the right size to protect the appliance it is attached-to.
- The actual plug type is known internationally as Type 'G'.
- It was designed for use on any normal house mains voltage or frequency and is used in the UK and other countries which have adopted the UK mains power plug and socket system for appliances.
It is a very good plug and socket system but not many other countries have adopted it - probably because they didn't invent it!
The Related Link shown below and the answer to the Related Question also shown below are relevant to this question.
What else can I help you with?
When removing an electrical plug from its socket grasp the electrical cord?
Do not remove any electrical plug by grabbing the wire. This weakens the connection at the plug. ALWAYS grab the plug itself when removing it.
What causes a male electrical plug to weld it self to the female electrical plug plug in?
A current higher than what the plug is rated for will cause that type of condition.
In an IEC-320 plug which wire carries electrical voltage?
the hot wire carries the electrical voltage
What does eletrical mean?
In electrical/electronics, a connector is a plug or socket. They range from a single pin to many hundreds of pins, capable of carrying many hundred amps to a few milliamps.
What is 13 amp plug?
It's the standard Type 'G' 3-pin plug used in the UK for electrical equipment and appliances. It should always contain a cartridge fuse of the right size to match the current or "amperage" drawn by the equipment/appliance it is supplying with power. Standard fuses to fit the plug are available in 13 amp, 5 amp, 3 amp and 1 amp sizes. For more information see the Related Link and the answer to the Related Question shown below.
Why are the metal prongs of a plug sealed in plastic and rubber?
The metal prongs of a plug are sealed in plastic and rubber for insulation and safety purposes. This helps to prevent electrical shocks and short circuits by providing a protective barrier between the conductive metal prongs and the user.
What purpose do three prongs serve on an electrical plug?
One is live, one neutral, and one earthed.
What are the different electrical plug types used in the USA?
In the USA, the most common electrical plug types are Type A and Type B. Type A plugs have two flat parallel prongs, while Type B plugs have two flat parallel prongs and a round grounding pin.
What has a purpose similar to that of the round prong?
A plug with flat prongs can have a similar purpose to a round prong plug, as they both serve as a means to connect electrical devices to power sources. The flat prongs are commonly used in North America, while the round prongs are more typical in Europe and other regions. Both types of prongs aim to establish a secure electrical connection for safe and efficient power transmission.
What type of material is inside the holes in the outlet?
Inside the "holes" are springy brass fingers that grip the plug prongs when you insert the wall plug, making connection with your home's electrical system.
What type of plug does Scotland use for its electrical outlets?
Scotland uses Type G electrical outlets, which have three rectangular prongs in a triangular formation.
What type of plug sockets are used in Ireland?
In Ireland, the standard plug sockets used are Type G, which have three rectangular prongs in a triangular pattern.
What type of plug does Ireland use for its electrical outlets?
Ireland uses Type G electrical plugs for its outlets, which have three rectangular prongs in a triangular formation.
Does Ireland use UK plugs in their electrical outlets?
No, Ireland does not use UK plugs in their electrical outlets. Ireland uses a different type of plug known as the Type G plug, which has three rectangular prongs in a triangular pattern.
What is the meant by a three-pronged plug?
A plug with three prongs.
What is the standard plug height for electrical outlets in residential buildings?
The standard plug height for electrical outlets in residential buildings is typically around 12 to 18 inches above the floor.
What does it mean when the prongs on an electric plug turned black after a spark?
It means that there has been an electrical short and that the house wiring, the plug and the device need to be inspected by a qualified electrician before they are used again.
