shardarkar t1_it5giba wrote on October 21, 2022 at 1:51 AM

Reply to comment by PrometheusSmith in Power outlets have a faint smell. by napstur

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 on October 21, 2022 at 2:14 AM

The real hero though is AC current, allowing the voltage to help break the arc as well.

wj9eh t1_it6cfm1 wrote on October 21, 2022 at 6:54 AM

What in the Nicola Tesla

PrometheusSmith t1_it769s0 wrote on October 21, 2022 at 12:56 PM

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 on October 21, 2022 at 3:12 PM

Sure but would it kill an elephant?

ColgateSensifoam t1_it64d9z wrote on October 21, 2022 at 5:16 AM

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