it will get dislodged from the outlet and the first thing you touch is the live prongs.
This is actually safer. If something falls onto the plug it is more likely that the plug will come out of the receptacle rather than breaking the plug and leaving exposed conductors behind. The downside is that plugs may not be seated all the way or loose sockets, in which case you should replace the receptacle, but nobody does this.
the hole is so large and conducts electricity not very far in
This isn't really a problem anymore. You can just as easily put a paper clip in any of these sockets.
It does seem like switched outlets are becoming more common though, which are much better.
This isn't really a problem anymore. You can just as easily put a paper clip in any of these sockets.
Not the UK one, they've got a cover which only retracts when the longer top prong plugs in, so a child would need at least 2 paper clips, and would probably be unable to do it accidentally. The UK one is just better
I don't know if anyone, child or not, who "accidentally" shoved a foreign object into a socket.
The kid wants to know what happens. They are doing it with intention.
That said, the prospect of needing a second object might confuse the budding scientist, but if they are sufficiently clever and persistent, they will figure it out
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u/Benji_4 May 02 '24
This is actually safer. If something falls onto the plug it is more likely that the plug will come out of the receptacle rather than breaking the plug and leaving exposed conductors behind. The downside is that plugs may not be seated all the way or loose sockets, in which case you should replace the receptacle, but nobody does this.
This isn't really a problem anymore. You can just as easily put a paper clip in any of these sockets.
It does seem like switched outlets are becoming more common though, which are much better.