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Why in a three pin plug the earth pin is thicker and longer
than the other pins?
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Answer Posted / sarthak dalal
When we use electrical appliances with metal bodies, we require protection against possible electric shock. If there is a fault current (leakage) inside the appliance, the whole metal case becomes live. If you happen to touch it, a current will flow through you to the earth (ie. electric shock). Hence, to prevent electric shock, we need to ensure that the system is properly earthed (= 'grounded'). This way if you touch a faulty appliance, you don't get electrocuted!
So, why is the earth pin made bigger?
1. The earth pin on a plug is longer than the live and neutral pins. This means the earth pin is the first to connect and the last to disconnect.
When inserting the plug, the earth connection is made before the current carrying contacts of the plug become live.
When withdrawing the plug, the current carrying contacts shall separate before the earth connection is broken.
Thus, the earthing connection is always maintained to improve safety.
2. Many wall sockets have safety shutters (see image) on the live and neutral lines to prevent children from inserting conducting materials which may result in electric shock. Insertion of a longer (earth) pin helps in opening the shutters, facilitating the insertion of other two pins. These are called Earth-pin operated shutters.
3. Though it is impossible to insert the plug into the socket upside down, one may try to insert the plug top in a misaligned position (for e.g. trying to insert the earth pin into the phase socket with the other two pins further down out of the socket). Hence, the earth pin is made thicker so that even by mistake it cannot be inserted into the live or neutral hole of the socket. This prevents earth pin from establishing an electrical contact with the live terminal.
As you can see, every effort is taken to protect you from electric shock.
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