Why do plugs look sad?5 min read

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Electric sockets don’t look like faces. What really happens is that humans literally look for faces in everything that they see. More so than any other object that we know of (much more than general pareidolia). The fusiform face area is a part of the human brain which is specialized for looking at faces.

Why do plugs look like faces?

Why do outlets look different?

The reason why the world is now stuck with no less than 15 different styles of plugs and wall outlets, is because many countries preferred to develop a plug of their own, instead of adopting the US standard.

Why do people put plug ins upside down?

Easier to Identify Switched Outlets Electricians may position the outlet in an upside-down position so that you can quickly identify the switch-controlled receptacle. Since it stands out visually to most people right away – it provides convenience to the occupants to easily remember which outlet is switch controlled.

Are plugs supposed to be upside down?

While there is no requirement within the standard electrical building code for the orientation of electrical outlets, it is a best practice to install them with the grounding pin on the bottom.

Why do male plugs have holes?

The holes you see in plugs are used for gripping the plugs inside sockets. Historically, sockets had bumps inside of them. These bumps were intended to fit into the holes. Without these bumps and holes, it would have been very easy to simply pull the plug out of the socket.

Why does a male plug have holes in the prongs?

Those original two holes were designed to prevent the plug from falling out of the socket, which of course made sense – then.

Does it matter which way an outlet faces?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) doesn’t require a certain direction. The NEC allows outlets to be installed with the ground plug hole facing up, down or sideways. It’s up to you, there is no standard electric outlet orientation. So that means there really is no such thing as upside down outlets.

Which country has the best plugs?

Prong Design: Like standard U.S. grounded plugs, the U.K. wall plug has three prongs. But the design of these prongs makes it nearly impossible for you to shock yourself accidentally. Unlike in U.S. plugs, half of each prong is coated in insulation.

Why are outlets red in hospitals?

The red outlets (sometimes referred to as sockets) in hospitals and medical facilities indicate that they are on emergency backup power. The bright red color helps nurses, doctors, and hospital staff quickly and clearly identify where to plug in critical equipment during an emergency situation.

What happens if you put a plug backwards?

An outlet with reverse polarity can cause some items to be electrically charged at all times. In a correctly wired outlet, electricity will flow to the switch; with reversed polarity, it will be present in the item itself even when it is not turned on.

How high should an outlet be from the floor?

Generally, you want to mount receptacle boxes with the bottom of the box about 16-inches off the floor. Coincidentally, this roughly equates to the same height as your garden variety 22-ounce framing hammer.

Why are some plugs angled?

An angled plug can minimize the space between the two. Different angles of plugs allow choices as to how a cord can be plugged into a power source.

Does it matter which way the plug goes in?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) doesn’t require a certain direction. The NEC allows outlets to be installed with the ground plug hole facing up, down or sideways. It’s up to you, there is no standard electric outlet orientation. So that means there really is no such thing as upside down outlets.

Why is there a circle in a plug?

It’s a necessary safety feature when using a two-prong or ungrounded outlet. Instead of a ground wire, these devices use an internal voltage adapter or insulation that protects the device from a short circuit. The holes that appear in 98% of appliances with flat two-prong plugs are not for grounding.

Why Indian plugs are round?

Round pins were another early innovation in plugs. People thought they made the plug fit more securely in the socket.

Why do American plugs have no earth?

Mostly cost… the two pin things are cheap as dirt. Three prongs are harder to make so cost more. As such, if the appliance does not need a ground, they go with the two pin job. There is no dictated standard in North America that a plug on the end of the cord MUST have three pins regardless of insulation type.

Why do plugs have genders?

For electronics components, gender is used to distinguish “mating connectors.” Mating interconnects match together in size, configuration and number of pins. In case you didn’t know, a “male” connector usually has a pin or pins “sticking out” and the “female” connector is designed to receive those pins.

What is the third prong on a plug called?

The third prong on an electrical cord is the ground plug. Since plenty of cords have only two, it may not seem terribly important—but according to national electric code, it’s an important safety feature that could save your life.

Which side of a plug is hot?

Which prong is hot on a 3 prong plug?

The left slot is called “neutral,” the right slot is called “hot” and the hole below them is called “ground.” The prongs on a plug fit into these slots in the outlet. If you have read How Batteries Work, you know that electricity must flow in a circuit.

How often should you change your outlets in your house?

Most GFCI outlets will last for about 15 to 25 years, but in certain circumstances, they can fail after 5 years. Here a few common signs that it’s time to replace your electrical outlets.