Why is the earthing pin in 3 pin electrical plugs bigger than the other two?

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Rajesh N V

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The basic function of earth pin is to flow large amount of current from equipment body to earth in case of fault within very short time for which its resistance must be very low and we know for the same material resistance is inversely proportional to area therefore earth pin is larger than other pin...
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Expert Tutor for Science (VI to Xth)

The earthing pin is bigger and longer also because, 1. Every electrical elements have some storing elements (i.e-capacitor). It might happen that when you remove the socket from electrical board, there may be some electrical energy stored in the device. next time when you again insert the socket this...
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The earthing pin is bigger and longer also because, 1. Every electrical elements have some storing elements (i.e-capacitor). It might happen that when you remove the socket from electrical board, there may be some electrical energy stored in the device. next time when you again insert the socket this may cause a short circuit. SO the earth pin is made longer than other because it will come in contact before the other two pins and if there is any residual electrical energy left in the appliance it will tranfer it to the ground. 2. If the live wire comes in contact with the conducting body of the appliances it can damage other parts or can give a shock. It is bigger than the other two to dissipate the charge to ground faster . I think this will clear your doubt. read less
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Physics Professor

The Earth pin is basically made bigger than live and neutral in order to Help you in differentiating between the Three pins.
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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...
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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. read less
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Mathematics Tutor having vast teaching Experience, Gold Medalist, International Teaching Experience. My previous experience includes Head of Mathematics Department, Delhi Public School, Academic In charge, International Indian School.

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. Hence, to prevent electric shock, This ensures that the appliance is properly earthed (grounded). This way if you touch a faulty appliance, you don't get elec...
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Engineer

The ground pin is longer so when you insert the plug, the earth connection is made to the equipment first. When you remove the plug, the earth connection is removed last. This is for the user safety. It is bigger so you can not insert the plug in any other way. The smaller pins on the plug can go...
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The ground pin is longer so when you insert the plug, the earth connection is made to the equipment first. When you remove the plug, the earth connection is removed last. This is for the user safety. It is bigger so you can not insert the plug in any other way. The smaller pins on the plug can go into the larger hole, but the larger pin will never go into a smaller hole. So any live wire cannot be connected to the body of the equipment. read less
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General Manager RMJ IT Solutions

Earthing is used to protect us from shock due to leakage currents. As the earth pin is bigger, it is the first pin connected while plugging in and it is the one to disconnect last. This improves the safety.
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tutor about School education and business management

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.
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Math Simpler

Increase in cross section decreases the resistance of the pin itself. So when there is fluctuation in supply , it can be easily grounded . Resistance = rho * length / cross section rho is a constant called specific resistance
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B.Tech(EC/EE/IN),Math(IX,X,XI,XII std.),Physics(IX,X,XI,XII std.) CBSE/ICSE/IB.

The Earth pin is basically made bigger than live and neutral in order to Help you in differentiating between the Three pins.
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