"Eeyore" wrote in message
...


Phil Allison wrote:

"TT_Man"

Can't happen in the UK...

** Oh yes it can.

Not with the modern sheathed pins. Plus we have ground at the top which
may help somewhat.

Graham


Interesting point. In the USA, we have a three prong plug which is earth,
Neutral and Line. There is no code that specifies whether the earth terminal
should be at the top or at the botom. Phil's picture leads me to think that
the Earth terminal should be top to divert any debris that might land upon
the circuits.

I have a lathe plugged into an outlet that at least once had been shorted
out by flying debris. As a work-arround, I put a seam of caulk arround the
plug and socket to keep anything from falling within the connections. One of
these days, will have to convert to twist-lock connectors that seal much
better.

Oppie