jib_reddit t1_it4pz07 wrote
Reply to comment by tshawkins in Power outlets have a faint smell. by napstur
This is partly why nearly all British plug sockets have a switch on them and it's just convenient.
PrometheusSmith t1_it547jz wrote
Just moves the arc of breaking the circuit to a different location, albeit one that is much more effective at breaking the current.
shardarkar t1_it5giba wrote
A switch breaks the circuit many times faster than a human ever could by pulling a plug out of a socket. This reduces the duration of the arc and damage caused by it, extending the lifespan of the electrical contacts in the socket.
PrometheusSmith t1_it5jkwl wrote
The real hero though is AC current, allowing the voltage to help break the arc as well.
wj9eh t1_it6cfm1 wrote
What in the Nicola Tesla
PrometheusSmith t1_it769s0 wrote
Arc length is determined in part by voltage. DC would be constant so you'd be breaking the arc at full voltage. With AC the voltage cycles through 0 60 times a second, allowing the arc to dissipate naturally and it cannot reform because the voltage required to maintain an arc is lower than what is required to start it.
wj9eh t1_it7ovhw wrote
Sure but would it kill an elephant?
ColgateSensifoam t1_it64d9z wrote
Specifically a proper switch, as they're spring-loaded to snap as fast as possible, crappy (non-kitemarked) switches can neglect the spring and arc if you don't hit them hard enough
Kale t1_it6u647 wrote
Technology connections has a great video on this. It explores why light switches are "clicky". To spoil the answer, good light switches have mechanisms that fling the electrical contacts open and closed as fast as possible, to keep the electrical arc as short as possible.
Oberyn_TheRed_Viper t1_it58m4q wrote
Are you saying American Outlets don't all have switches on them??
That's madness, surely.
edit - Thanks for the down votes on an item that should have a switch by default as a basic safety measure. That' some patriotism for ya.
foss4us t1_it59ubq wrote
They do not. The only time we install switched outlets is if we have a table lamp in the back corner of a room and want to control it from a switch at the doorway.
Our outlets only use half the voltage of yours though.
toogsh1212 t1_it5ginz wrote
No. The closest we have are GFCIs
Oberyn_TheRed_Viper t1_it5qirs wrote
>GFCI
Thanks. Haven't seen those before.
We have RCD's (residual Current Device) back in the electrical box to protect the outlet user, rather than having it on the outlet like your ones.
a_lost_shadow t1_it5xsl4 wrote
It's interesting how things are similar but different across the countries. Here in the US you can get GFCI breakers, but they tend to be more expensive than the outlets. The outlets can also protect all downstream outlets.
We also have AFCI (ARC Fault) breakers mandated for most residential circuits. This is another reason for the GFCI outlets since some locations like laundry areas now require both AFCI & GFCI protection.
Kale t1_it6uvv5 wrote
The US electrical is kind of weird. We have GFCI that breaks the circuit if electricity on one leg is different than electricity on the other leg (meaning current is leaking somewhere). This GFCI can be on a circuit breaker, on the receptacle itself, or on the plug of the device.
AFCIs are new and required in bedroom circuits. The early breakers would trip with certain arcing loads, like vacuum cleaners. They were annoying enough that an electrician I know said that almost all home owners would get the AFCIs installed, pass the electrical inspection, then replace the AFCIs with traditional circuit breakers. I think the AFCI technology is better today though.
g1ngertim t1_it5y5mz wrote
Better yet, a half inserted plug can both make contact, becoming hot, and still have exposed metal, making for just the safest fucking design 👍
ColgateSensifoam t1_it64jyx wrote
And they're usually installed upside down, with no mandatory ground, so it's entirely possible to drop a conductive object onto a plug and start a fire
orbital_one t1_it5qhmj wrote
Outlets are supposed to have switches?
Oberyn_TheRed_Viper t1_it5qqeo wrote
Look I guess it varies wildly from country to country for standards.
Australian outlets, yes, this is the standard.
Revenant759 t1_it65vul wrote
How many switches do you have in a room? Jesus, I have a relatively small office with 5 outlets, the switch is for the overhead light.
Oberyn_TheRed_Viper t1_it6h16j wrote
Small bedroom will have a single housing with two outlets in it..each outlet has its own switch.
Larger bedrooms will have a double outlet in each side of the bed for 2 people. Loungeroom has 2 to 4 double's. Etc etc.
RossAM t1_it63kmp wrote
I'm guessing that part of that might also be we're running half the voltage you are at.
tshawkins t1_it6txv1 wrote
That and their propensity to fall out of the outlet at the slightest provocation.
Trichotillomaniac- t1_it59fdp wrote
Only in the bathroom and outside
cnrtechhead t1_it5bxb0 wrote
Those are test/reset buttons, not switches.
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