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When you use a three pin mains plug what is the third biggest pin for?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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).
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The third, or middle, pin on a three-pin mains plug is the earth pin. It is designed to provide a path for electrical currents to safely discharge in case of a fault, ensuring user safety by preventing electric shocks.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoIn the UK using a square-pin plug the large pin is the earth pin.
An appliance has live and neutral wires to carry the current, plus an earth wire that is connected to the metal case of the appliance.
The earth wire normally carries no current, but it connects the metal cases of all appliances together so that there can be no voltage between them, and thus no electric shocks if you touch two at the same time, for example the refrigerator and the cooker.
The earth wire is also connected to the gas and water pipes and to an earth-spike, to prevent any buildup of static electricity during storms.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIt's the earth pin. It's a safety pin to earth the electronic device. It's seen on British plugs, but not many other countries include it.
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What does the third prong ion a three prong pulg do?
The 3rd round plug is the ground connection.
How many volts does a mains plug use?
A mains plug typically uses 120 or 240 volts, depending on the country and the electrical system in place. The voltage level is determined by the electrical grid infrastructure of the region in which the plug is used.
Can I plug my 2 prong Christmas light cord into a 3 prong extension cord?
UK answer only: Yes but you need a three-pin to two-pin adaptor. Alternatively fit a three-pin plug to the light and leave the earth pin disconnected. This can only be done if the lamp already has a two-wire cable fitted to it, anything else is potentially dangerous.
Which blade is the longest in a 3 pin plug?
The ground blade is the longest in a three blade plug.
What if the top pin on three pin plug broken in electric socket. Is it dangerous?
Not in itself. Do not plug another three prong plug in the outlet until the broken prong (round-ish) is removed from the outlet. The third prong (round-ish) on a three prong plug is the ground. It does not carry any power.Correction"It's the power return"
When you use a three pin plug what is the third biggest pin for?
Would that be the smallest pin. To answer this question the specifications of the plug will be needed.
When use a 3-pin mains plug what is the biggest pin for?
The biggest pin on a 3-pin mains plug is usually the earth pin, which is used for grounding the appliance to prevent electric shock and ensure electrical safety.
Why are there 3 pins to the plug?
Because the mains supply has three wires. The Live wire (brown) is the power from the mains. The Neutral (blue) is the return to the mains (completing the circuit). The Earth (green/yellow stripe) - is the 'safety trip'.
Why does a plug have three wires?
The third prong on the bottom of the plug is for "grounding," in case of a short.
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mains plug
Can you plug in a 240v-50Hz 2.8kW oven into the mains socket or does it have to be hardwired into a spur?
Yes it can be plugged in with a 13A plug.
What do you use to make a light or lamp fitting light up?
mains plug
What do you use to make lamp or light fitting light up?
mains plug
What does the third prong ion a three prong pulg do?
The 3rd round plug is the ground connection.
Where is the PS vita charger?
The Vita's charger comes in the box. It is in two parts - one with a mains plug and adaptor, the other has a USB plug and one to fit into the Vita. You can use the latter to charge directly from a PC, or both together to charge from the mains.
