Can anyone enlighten me as to why new 13A 3-pin plugs, or devices with integral plugs such as mains timers or pluggable RCDs, always have a piece of removable hard plastic which completely covers the plug pins, and must be pulled off before use.
What purpose does it serve?
It *might* protect other items within the packaging in which it comes (from scratching, etc).
It doesn't seem likely to perform any other useful purpose.
I assumed that too - to protect the appliance itself from getting scratched. I would use one when packing an electrical item in a suitcase to prevent damage to the suitcase or other contents.
That's clearly what it's for. They don't bother if there is a special place on the polystyrene packaging for the plug.
I think that's the answer. But it still puzzles me why the plastic (HDPE?) is so thick - it's around 1.5 mm, and if it was to prevent scratching 1.0 or even 0.5 mm should be sufficient. Also, it should be possible to design them so only the pin edges are covered. Together, these would save a lot of HDPE. I've no doubt that if the manufacturers could save 0.0001p per unit they would do so if they're turning out millions a year.
I would expect there is a secondary benefit in keeping the brass clean, bright, and free from oxidisation.
Well normally it just makes the edges less sharp, and with the tendency not to use the moulded plastic packaging these days, its probably good middle ground. I notice that Apple wall warts have foldable pins, very handy if you need them to be in a pocket without making holes in it. Brian
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