XPost: uk.tech.broadcast, uk.tech.digital-tv, uk.rec.audio   
   XPost: sci.electronics.repair   
   From: mapson.scarts@btinternet.INVALID   
      
   "Dave Plowman (News)"  wrote in message   
   news:524c03e423dave@davenoise.co.uk...   
   : In article ,   
   :   Arny Krueger  wrote:   
   : > All I know is that after returning to the US from a year's   
   stay in   
   : > Germany, I was a little bit afraid every time I plugged   
   anything in,   
   : > due to the ease with which one's fingers slide down the plug   
   and touch   
   : > the contacts.   
   :   
   : That's impossible as the pins have insulation down most of   
   their length -   
   : only the end part makes contact. And in any case most UK socket   
   outlets   
   : have switches. Decent plugs have a skirt which would prevent   
   your fingers   
   : slipping towards the pins anyway - only cheap ones not.   
   :   
      
   Arny Krueger doesn't give a date for his experiences of UK   
   electrical installations, it *is* quite possible that he   
   experienced all he suggests, it has only been since the   
   late/early '80s that pins have been shrouded, like-wise plugs   
   having finger stops whilst un-switched sockets are actually very   
   common than Mr Plowman suggests, especially in 'to a price' built   
   housing, such as local authority, starter and MOD stock or were   
   the idea is to discourage disconnection of the appliances, such   
   as fridges, freezers or VCRs etc.   
      
   So far from being "impossible", even more so considering the   
   number of older and thus 'unprotected' plugs that must still be   
   in existence and use.   
   --   
   Regards, Jerry.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)