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Manufacturers use holes in plug prongs for alignment during production

Electrical plug manufacturers utilize holes in prongs to align metal blades before molding plastic around the assembly.

The reason most electrical plug prongs have holes in them
File photo The reason most electrical plug prongs have holes in them Photo: Engadget

Original purpose versus current use

These perforations once served an everyday function within home electrical outlets. Today they primarily assist factories by holding components correctly aligned during manufacturing processes.

Safety mechanism for workers

The openings also act as lockout tags to ensure necessary safety measures are in place. This method keeps parts positioned accurately while plastic is molded around the internal assembly.

Variation across different brands

Not every manufacturer employs this exact process for making their plugs. Some brands may use different techniques to achieve similar alignment results without perforations.

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