Why do cords have 3 prongs

The quantity entered is greater than allowed for an online purchase. A typical volt outlet, often found in the United States, you will see two vertical slots and one round hole that is below and centered between the two vertical slots.

In most cases, the left slot is slightly longer or larger than the right slot. The prongs on a 2 or 3 prong plug are able to fit into these outlet slots.

In this type of house outlet, the appliance or device that is plugged into the outlet will complete the circuit from the hot slot to the neutral slot, therefore, allowing electricity to flow through the electrical device. Appliances that are designed with a metal case, such as a toaster oven, will include a third prong on its plug. This third prong will prevent you from being electrocuted by the metal case in the event that the device malfunctions internally. Smarter Living. That third prong?

It's there for your safety. By Sarah Crow October 31, Read more. Read This Next. Latest News. Six supplements are being pulled from stores. Many states have a long road ahead. Numbers are high despite high vaccination rates. Joey Cramer starred in the '80s Disney classic. Now, an appliance or device in a metal casing can generate lethal amounts of electrical energy.

This event happens when the hot wire inside the device becomes loose due to faulty manufacturing or overuse. The hot wire then makes contact with the metal casing, which behaves like an open wire. If anyone touches it, they become a conductor and will get a potentially lethal electric shock.

Fortunately, the ground prong transmits the surge of electricity into the ground wire, which then trips the circuit breaker. Appliances and devices connected to the circuit will shut down immediately and are safe for inspection. Find the plug that caused the overload and fix the issue. Two-pronged plugs are still safe to use. Their design accommodates devices that don't have a metal casing. More importantly, there is enough insulation so that any conductive parts of the appliance or device are out of reach.

As for the third prong, it has saved many lives without people even knowing it. Next time a circuit breaker trips, check the appliances and devices with metal casing first for a loose wire. Having an expert check the household circuit and appliances is always the safest and most sensible option.