An electric shock from plug pins can occur if the plug is partially inserted into the wall socket or extension cord exposing electrically live plug pins.
With modern plugs, plug pins are often semi-covered in insulation to prevent someone from getting a shock if a plug was partially inserted into a socket or extension cord.
Nevertheless, many plugs do not have insulation on the plug pins so it is possible that someone could get an electric shock from the pins under certain circumstances.
This post will cover 4 potential reasons why someone might get an electric shock from plug pins.
What Is An Electric Shock?
An electric shock is a painful sensation occurring when contact between an electrically live surface and earth is made.
This could happen directly or indirectly by touching the electrically live terminal while standing on the ground.
This ‘connection’ causes current to flow producing the ‘electric shock’ sensation. This current travels along the skin and through organs to go to earth. The severity of the electric shock depends on the path that the current travels to get to earth. For example, an electric shock is much more dangerous if the current traverses through the heart or brain.
For this reason, RCD’s are installed in the home to protect people from dangerous electric shocks if a fault or accident were to occur. Typically an RCD must trip within 300 milliseconds at 30 milliamps of ‘electric shock’ current. These values are not arbitrary, but are internationally accepted Shock Limits as laid out here.
As electric shock current and time exposed to the current increase, the more severe the shock. The better someone is grounded (e.g – not wearing shoes on a damp ground) the more current that will flow in an electric shock and the worse it will be.
With this in mind, let’s look at why someone might get an electric shock from plug pins.
Firstly, plug pins on the male plug are not live.
They need to be inserted into a wall socket or female extension plug to become live.
Gaining contact to live ‘plug pins’ is only possible if the plug is partially inserted into the socket exposing the live prongs.
The plug might be partially inserted for a few reasons including having a damaged powerpoint.
The following reasons why someone might get a shock assume that the plug is partially inserted into the socket.
Electric Shock From Plug Pins? – Reason #1
Fingers
Likelihood: Moderate – with children.
Fingers making contact with the live phase plug pin will certainly cause an electric shock. As mentioned above, current will flow from the live prong to earth through the body causing a shock. Although unlikely, it is a possible reason why someone could get a shock from plug pins.
Electric Shock From Plug Pins? – Reason #2
Metal Object Touching Pins
Likelihood: Low.
A metal object such as a knife touching the live phase prong of the plug will also cause an electric shock. Metal objects conduct electricity allowing it to flow through the body causing a shock.
Electric Shock From Plug Pins? – Reason #3
Water
Likelihood: Moderate – especially for plugs used outside (while camping etc).
Accidentally spilling water on plug pins (partially inserted into the socket) can cause a short circuit and or electric shock.
Extension cords used outside are also susceptible to this as moisture can build up overnight or due to weather then when someone touches the plug they receive an electric shock
Electric Shock From Plug Pins? – Reason #4
Damaged Plug Pins
Likelihood: Moderate – with poorly maintained or damaged extension cords.
Damaged plug pins are possible due to wear and tear over time, especially if the plug has been misused against manufacturers instructions.
Signs of damaged plug pins include wobbly pins, missing pins, broken plug casing, bulging discoloration or smell indicating a fault with the plug. If you suspect this, it is important to replace the plug before it trips a breaker.
Electrician Perspective
Moisture getting into plugs is a common cause of electric shocks especially in camping or otherwise outdoor scenarios where the plug is exposed to the elements.
This makes it possible that someone could make contact with an electrically live pin and get a shock. Of course, if someone directly touches a live plug pin either directly or via a conductive metal object such as a knife they will also get a shock.
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