In a rapidly developing technological world, where wireless gadgets are championed for their convenience, it would be easy to forget the role of the humble socket.
Due to its simplicity and subtlety – often designed to blend into the interior rather than standing out to be seen – the importance of sockets in our day to day lives can be taken for granted.
It is hard to imagine how different life would be if sockets – in the form we know them today – did not exist. We all know that electrical appliances need a power source to operate, but have you ever stopped to consider just how sockets supply the power that we need, or why they look the way that they do?
In today’s blog we will be taking a look at the evolution of the socket, from its basic two pin form in the late 19th century, to its modern ancestor with decorative, weather-resistant and SMART variants.
Humble Beginnings
As electricity was introduced to many UK homes during the 1880s, functional and versatile plugs and sockets were required to satisfy the needs of consumers wishing to use their newly acquired appliances. By 1885, recognisable two pin plugs and wall sockets were appearing on the market.
Meanwhile, in America, inventor Harvey Hubbell was attempting to gain various patents for his designs on the arrangement of the plug and socket. Hubbell introduced annular detents on pin tips to positively retain a plug in its socket, along with three-way adaptors and a parallel flat pin configuration which is still widely used today.
In a testament to Hubbell’s work, various competing manufacturers started to copy the parallel flat pin design in their own products. Despite a lengthy court battle – where Hubbell tried to protect his designs – it was ruled that other manufacturers were free to use them, which benefitted the U.S. population in the long term.
Safety First
There is some debate about the origin of the earthed plug and socket system, with evidence suggesting that a ‘Tripin’ plug was available in Britain as early as 1911. In many designs, an earthed pin is included which extends further than the other two contacts to ensure that it is engaged first: a configuration which was made mandatory in most industrial countries for safety purposes.
In order to prevent children harming themselves by putting potentially dangerous objects inside a socket, safety shutters were introduced and later made a legal requirement in Britain. The shutters work by blocking the holes which give access to the socket contacts, only opening when a suitable plug is inserted. Once the plug is inside the socket, each pin links with a connector, which are connected to the wiring terminals for power.
Modernisation
As with most electrical appliances, recent developments in the world of sockets have centred around style, efficiency and convenience. Sockets aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing domestic feature, which is why manufacturers like MK have developed stylish frontplates. With a wide range of finishes available – including satin gold, brushed stainless steel and matte chrome – MK provide the perfect solution to ensure that sockets don’t look out of place in any interior.
Sockets are also becoming more resilient and versatile, with IP66 rated versions suitable for use in wet environments, while the addition of USB ports allows the simultaneous charging of tablets and phones.
BG have also integrated the power of SMART technology into their sockets, meaning users can control their connected devices from anywhere. Their SMART sockets can be controlled via Google Home, Amazon Alexa and the BG Home app, affording users more control over their appliances.
Despite some slight adaptations to sockets over the years, it is interesting to see how many of the original ideas and designs are still in place to this day. While many technologies have changed beyond recognition, it appears that early inventors were on the right tracks with their initial concepts.