The function of the socket is a circuit breaker for electrical installations. However, it turns out that there is still a mistake that the socket function is considered to provide electrical power. The socket is an electrical installation component that has the function of distributing electrical energy from the home installation to the load. The load in question is an electronic device that requires electricity to operate it.

The socket consists of several types. Check out the following article to find out, also to find out how the socket works.

  • Stop Contact Function
  • Types of Contact Outlets
  • How to Work Stop Contact
  • The difference between an outlet and a switch

Stop Contact Function

In general, a socket has a function that is distinguished from the following two things:

1. As a Negative Circuit Breaker

Quoting the book Guide to Becoming a Laptop Technician by Solihin Laptop (2020), the function of the first socket is as a breaker when contact occurs between positive, negative and grounding currents in the installation of building electrical components.

The socket can also cut off the electric current when there is contact between the human body and electricity.

2. As a liaison for Electric Current and Household Appliances

The second function of the socket is to act as a liaison between the electric current and household electronic devices. Certainly, every electronic device requires electrical energy to turn on.

One of the functions of the socket is to connect the power source and household electronic devices, such as fans or air conditioners, which can cool the room in the house. Are you looking for a house in Central Bogor? Check out the house options here!

Types of Contact Outlets

There are various types of sockets, especially if they are different countries. To find out, consider the following types of sockets from various countries in the world:

1. Stop Contact Type A

Type A plugs have a flat, two-blade shape that is about 1.5mm thick and about 15.9-18.3mm long. Then, there is the shape of a hole right in the middle, but the hole has no special function.

There are several countries that use this type A plug, including Japan, the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

2. Type B socket

Almost similar to type A, type B has three flat plug blades with a thickness of about 1.5 mm. This type is fairly sturdy when connected to a socket because the ends are rectangular. This plug is commonly used in the United States, Canada, and also Mexico.

3. Type C socket

Maybe you are already familiar with this type of power plug because type C is used in Indonesia and various other Asian countries.

This plug has a round tip with a thickness of 4 mm and a length of 19 mm. Typically, a type C plug conducts about 16 amperes. So, suitable for electronic equipment that requires high energy.

4. Type D socket

You can find type D electrical plugs in India, Botswana, Nepal, to Myanmar. The shape of the plug is round with a total of 3 pieces resembling a triangle. The diameter of each plug reaches 7.1 mm with an electric current of 5 amperes.

5. Type E socket

France, Belgium, Poland and Tunisia are some of the countries that use type E plugs. The ends are round with 2 plugs and can be used for 16 amperes of electricity.

6. Type F socket

Actually, the type of plug F is similar to the type C plug because the socket used is the same. However, the F type has additional indentations at the top and bottom.

Almost all countries in the world use type F power plugs, except for Ireland and the United States.

7. Type G socket

Type G plugs are mostly used in the UK, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The shape of the plug is a flat rectangle and has 3 sides resembling a triangle with a power of 13 amperes.

8. Type H socket

For the type H plug, it delivers an electric current of 16 amperes. It has a round shape and has 3 segments with a diameter of 4.5 mm and a length of 19 mm. Usually, the type H plug model is used in Israel and Palestine.

9. Type I Socket Outlet

Type I plugs have an amperage rating of 10 amperes and three flat blades at the end. Each plug has a thickness of 1.6 mm with a slope of about 30 degrees to form an inverted V. The I plug model is still used in many countries, including Australia, China, and Argentina.

10. Type J socket

Switzerland uses type J plugs and sockets. In addition, there are also several selected countries that also use this one plug standard. The shape of the type J plug is similar to the type C, but there is one additional plug about 19 mm long.

11. Type K Socket

If you are traveling to Denmark, you will need a type K power plug only. There are three U-shaped plugs that are 14 mm long and 4 mm thick.

12. Socket L Type

Type L type plugs have 3 plugs with a vertical or perpendicular line. The contact diameter and distance are also different so that they are not compatible with each other with an electric current of 16 amperes.

You can find these plugs in Italy, Uruguay, and some parts of North Africa.

13. M Type Socket Outlet

The shape of the M type plug used in South Africa is actually similar to the D type which is widely used in India. However, the M plug is round in shape with a total of three pieces resembling a triangle and the size is larger or around 8.7 mm.

14. Stop Contact Type N

In 2001 and 2013, South Africa and Brazil both implemented the latest standard for the plug and socket system they will use, namely type N. This plug consists of three pins that are almost parallel and 10 mm long.

15. Type O socket

When visiting Thailand, you should bring the C and O plug type models which are standard there. This plug consists of three round plugs with a diameter of 4.8 mm and a current strength of about 16 amperes.

How to Work Stop Contact

Quoting from coil.com, the socket has a plus and neutral wire. When an electronic device is working normally, the total electric current flowing on the two wires is the same.

This is what makes the plus and neutral wires have no current difference. That way, the socket can work optimally. If an incident of electric shock occurs, the plus wire will conduct additional current that can pass through the body to the ground.

The way this socket works is one of the most common, so it needs to be well understood by the public. The function of the switch or socket turns out to play an important role in maintaining electrical stability and human safety.

Therefore, this tool should be used with caution and not with wet hands.

The difference between an outlet and a switch

Currently, in fact there are still many who say that the socket and switch are the same. However, both of them have quite a lot of differences. Indeed, the socket or switch is similar, but they are not the same as electrical devices that can be equated.

Simply put, the switch doesn't have a plug hole at the end of the cable. Shaped like a push button on and off. Usually you find when you want to turn on the light.

The function of the switch is used to connect and disconnect electricity. It looks like a button because one side of it will cut off electricity if pressed and will connect another electric current to the pressed button.

Generally, the switch is installed on the wall of the room and as a series of lights. So, it's not just for electricity to flow to the lights. The benefits of this magic item include reducing the risk of electric shock, reducing the risk of electric short circuits, and making it easier to save electricity.

For the installation of the switch itself, it is more recommended than the socket because it is more dangerous to unplug and plug the cable into the power source. The switch itself has various types, on the market there are outblow series, ankle series, plug-in switches. There are also ankle switches that are often found on the market.

If the switch has a button to press, while the socket doesn't have one. The socket is an electrical terminal that connects electricity from the main line to electronic devices. So, there is an electric current that is delivered according to its function.

The shape also varies, which must have a hole to be plugged into a power source. Different forms usually occur in different countries. If Indonesia has 2 leg holes, in Europe it usually has 3 leg holes.

The installation of the socket needs to go through the installation. Usually, it is necessary to design an electrical diagram first. This is so that you understand and know which points need a power outlet.

The installation of the socket itself is also different depending on where it is installed. Some install bottom grounding, middle line, single switch and many others.

Of course, you need to call people who are experts in their fields so that fatal mistakes do not occur.