I just watched a TikTok about how people used to plug in things to their light sockets when electricity was first becoming popular. And they kept calling the plug a light socket, what rule says it’s not a plug that screws in? And why shouldn’t plugs screw in? We have material science to make plugs and cables hard enough that if you kick the wire it still doesn’t come out. Electrical connections should be more secure. That’s all I’m saying.

  • omega_x3@lemmy.world
    0·
    1 year ago

    You know when you are screwing in a blub without turning off the switch how the blub will blink a few times while you are screwing it in? Most electronic don’t like that.

  • Hazdaz@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    For what benefit?

    Rather have a plug pull out of an outlet than it ripping the cable out of the housing of the equipment it is in or cause other damage. But more importantly, we do have connectors that let you screw in a plug (or have a latch or other locking mechanism). Very common on higher voltage equipment in industrial applications. But again, what is the benefit for day-to-day use for regular devices? Plugs don’t just fall out of outlets on a regular basis. This isn’t really a problem that needs solving.

      • JJROKCZ@lemmy.world
        0·
        1 year ago

        Yes, cut it and complete a circuit with the scissor blades so now they’re electrocuted as well. That’s the best solution by far

  • sj_zero@lotide.fbxl.net
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    1 year ago

    Plugs can be more secure, but they also can’t.

    You don’t want plugs to be too secure because they’re supposed to be temporary. Plug in fast, unplug fast.

    There’s a benefit to plugs that come off easily: That’s the weakest point. If you kick a cord, the cord doesn’t snap, it just comes unplugged. If you make your plug stronger, maybe instead the cable breaks and now you’ve got lethal voltage swinging around, or you have arcing inside a connector or inside a cable that starts a fire.

    There are electrical connections that are more secure used in industry or other places. For example DIN plugs or Brad Harrison connectors.

    • intensely_human@lemm.ee
      0·
      1 year ago

      … because they’re supposed to be temporary. Plug in fast, unplug fast.

      Some are supposed to be temporary. Others are meant to be more permanent.

      But anywhere a plug is permanent, like an entertainment center, it’s not in a place where it’s in danger of being jostled. So there’s no need for a stronger attachment.

    • JoelJ@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      My guess to the biggest reason not to do this is safety - if somebody is being electrocuted, you want to be able to pull the cord out of the wall as quickly as possible to maximise their chance of survival.

  • BAGeorgeIII@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    One reason would be so that if you needed to unplug something quickly, you can do so. Also you wouldn’t be able to have so many different variations to differentiate the different amperage and voltages. Most residential dwellings (in U.S.) only use 15A or 20A 120V receptacles, but there are plenty of other different types that use horizontal or verticle or even anhled slots. Think of a 240V air conditioner, it has a different type of plug so you don’t accidentaly plug it into a 120V receptacles. If needing something more secure, you can always get a twist-lock plug.

  • BeanGoblin@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Cause if something catches and pulls hard on the cord you would prefer it yank the cable out of the socket and you just plug it back in, rather than either strip the screw and ruin the socket or even pull the entire socket out of the wall. Or if you trip on that cord its much safer for you to have that cord come out and only trip you a bit than it catch, go taut, and send you falling on your face.

    • spam@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Yeah, think about a child tripping over a cord. Do you want it to come unplugged or pull down the crock pot, coffee pot… This is also why they put short cords on hot stuff.

    • intensely_human@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Your foot catches the cable. It’s immediately taut. Your leg’s caught and you start to fall. Right then, this drywall gives way and the cable, the socket, and a big chunk of drywall come flying forward and crack the back of your skull. You’re out cold.

      The exposed wiring touches the pile of foil bags you were carrying. Electricity arcs through the stack igniting the entire thing instantly.

      The plastic is burnt off in a toxic cloud, which engulfs everyone present.

      In his microplastic gas stupor the first guy to pull out his phone drops it. The wildly oscillating cord being pushed around by boiling steam happens to land on both sides of the phone and sends a vicious arc through the case. The battery overheats and explodes, injuring the cat.

      Nice work, screw-in plugs. Nice work indeed.

    • Snailpope@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      This. They make twist lock receptacles, for certain applications. Normally in commercial settings where small appliances are powered by ceiling mounted outlets.

      • ninjabard@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        My university theatre has twist locks for their electrics. But the theatre I’m working in now uses stage pin.

  • BarqsHasBite@lemmy.caEnglish
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    1 year ago

    They screwed bulbs in and out before light switches were invented. Switches are better.

    As for the plug, pretty sure you had limited plugs. You had to plug in one device, and then unplug it and plug in the next. Ava you likely wanted to unplug when not in use. You wanted it tight but not so unwieldy that it was a pain. This was a good design. Never really had a problem with them coming out. The grounding plug which came later helps make it even more secure.

  • Pasta Dental@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    I can see multiple reasons:

    • trip hasard
    • could break the cord or the device if it gets yanked
    • less convenient, slower
    • it would tangle/twist the cable
    • credit crazy@lemmy.world
      0·
      1 year ago

      To ad to the first 2 points when a cable is broken often from getting tripped from the cable it’s now a electrocution hazard meanwhile with the sockets we have now when you trip from a cable it’s just unplugs and there’s no risk of electrocution