#Power plug in full#
#Power plug in portable#

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. This section needs additional citations for verification. Depending on the supply system, one or both current-carrying connections may have significant voltage to earth ground. Single-phase sockets have two current-carrying connections to the power supply circuit, and may also have a third pin for a safety connection to earth ground. To reduce the risk of electric shock, plug and socket systems have safety features in addition to the recessed contacts of the energised socket.Ī socket may be surrounded by a decorative or protective cover which may be integral with the socket.

Some plugs have built-in fuses for safety. Some plugs have female contacts that are used only for an earth ground connection. The plug is a male connector, often with protruding pins that match the openings and female contacts in a socket. Typically no energy is supplied to any exposed pins or terminals on the socket, for safety.Ī plug is the movable connector attached to an electrically operated device, and the socket is fixed on equipment or a building structure and connected to an energised electrical circuit. Clockwise from top left: CEE 7/4 (German) plug a matching CEE 7/3 socket with exposed earth (ground) projections on circumference of socket CEE 7/5 (French) socket with projecting earth pin. Plugs and sockets may sometimes combine male and female contacts.

#Power plug in full#

Some multi-standard sockets allow use of several types of plug improvised or unapproved adaptors between incompatible sockets and plugs may not provide the full safety and performance of an approved socket-plug combination. Coordination of technical standards has allowed some types of plug to be used across large regions to facilitate trade in electrical appliances, and for the convenience of travellers and consumers of imported electrical goods. Today there are about 20 types in common use around the world, and many obsolete socket types are found in older buildings. A proliferation of types developed for both convenience and protection from electrical injury.

#Power plug in portable#

Plugs and sockets for portable appliances became available in the 1880s, to replace connections to light sockets with wall-mounted outlets. Different standard systems of plugs and sockets are used around the world. Electrical plugs and sockets differ from one another in voltage and current rating, shape, size, and connector type. AC power plugs and sockets connect electric equipment to the alternating current (AC) mains electricity power supply in buildings and at other sites.