Why Do Electric Plugs Have Holes?

First, copper costs. I know they're not all made of copper, not anymore. But there was some material savings.

Second, they're machine made. Perhaps the holes have to do, or had to do, with a forming machine.

I've noticed other emissions over the years. First...long ago, the brass covers for table-lamp sockets, had threads on the end. You could put various shades on them, in other applications. Because the brass lightbulb socket assembly was standardized, and used in workshops as well as home fixtures.

The threads disappeared, about 25 years ago.

Then Chy Nuh came in; and those damn things are all plastic. And that matters, because I have several matching shades (two sets) that are to slide down on the top of the socket.

Assuming it's brass. With the plastic...they don't sit evenly, and if the lamp ever falls, the force on that plastic exterior of the socket, cracks or breaks it.

Now, the latest, is to use NON standard sockets. Meaning you can't put a different shade on it, or fit a harp to it, or do ANYTHING with it, except use it as it was made. Or cobble something together. Which I did with one lamp, but it was so much work I threw a matching floor lamp out.

No holes in plugs here either. That's weird Lolol.

Red Lily wrote:No holes in plugs here either.  That's weird Lolol.

Engineering changes with time; but specifications are forever.

In North America and much of Europe, railroad wheel gauge (distance between wheels) is four feet, 8 1/2 inches.

Why? Because that was the distance between wagon axles on government specified military-order wagons. It was the distance gates and roads were made to accommodate.

All the way back to THE ROMANS. Roman armies found that that distance was a good setup for a war chariot.

So we have holes, because we've always had holes, and probably there's UL or other specifications, demanding HOLES.

No holes in plugs here ever and I'm happy with that.

Casey Jones wrote:

Red Lily wrote:No holes in plugs here either.  That's weird Lolol.

Engineering changes with time; but specifications are forever.

In North America and much of Europe, railroad wheel gauge (distance between wheels) is four feet, 8 1/2 inches.

Why?  Because that was the distance between wagon axles on government specified military-order wagons.  It was the distance gates and roads were made to accommodate.

All the way back to THE ROMANS.  Roman armies found that that distance was a good setup for a war chariot.

So we have holes, because we've always had holes, and probably there's UL or other specifications, demanding HOLES.

""but specifications are forever.""

Specs change all the time, They keep up with changes in technology and best practice

vege57 wrote:

Casey Jones wrote:

Red Lily wrote:No holes in plugs here either.  That's weird Lolol.

Engineering changes with time; but specifications are forever.

In North America and much of Europe, railroad wheel gauge (distance between wheels) is four feet, 8 1/2 inches.

Why?  Because that was the distance between wagon axles on government specified military-order wagons.  It was the distance gates and roads were made to accommodate.

All the way back to THE ROMANS.  Roman armies found that that distance was a good setup for a war chariot.

So we have holes, because we've always had holes, and probably there's UL or other specifications, demanding HOLES.

""but specifications are forever.""

Specs change all the time, They keep up with changes in technology and best practice

Do they, now.

Like railroad gauge got updated to a practical distance.

Like ethanol came out of gasoline in the States, when it was found that it was a greater contribution to air pollution, rather than a reducer.

Like sealed-beam headlights, in automobiles, which were mandated in 1937...remained mandated right up to 1985, no matter the superior halogen bulbs and reflectors that were made everywhere else. THOSE were only changed by demand of FOREIGN automakers, who used superior lighting equipment elsewhere and didn't want to do specialty-installation of inferior lights for North American bound product. Even big money struggled to change that one.

Like, railroad air brakes. The system is a century old, and primitive. Brake pressure can be increased in stages, but only completely backed off. That creates all kinds of problems in high-speed operation.

The brakes are cast-iron or composite brake shoes, rubbing right against the tread of the wheels. That, too, is obsolete engineering. Amtrak (being one system, and an NGO operation, with essentially unlimited budget) has an improved system that releases in stages - although it's scarcely needed with at most, fifteen coaches.

Private train sets, of a kind used by excursion operators, have disk brakes, bolted to car wheels or on the axle, inboard of the wheels. Again, much better for both braking and the wheels.

But, specifications. Too much work to change government specifications to install better brakes. Cheaper and easier to use what is out there...and if trains wreck, we, the management, won't be on those trains. Too bad, too sad.

Specifications are forever.

the holes help disperse the heat buildup on the prongs. all adapters for phone elec have them. some people here are just too lazy to go look.

I never noticed. Had to check some cord ends to doublecheck.

Mr. 2 always figured the holes were for sliding a bare wire through so you could get electricity to a tool or whatnot. Has come in handy millions of times.

yes. wonderus rememberances. repairing electrical circuitry one door down from a tavern. oh the joy