Duraplug, I didn't expect this - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kilo Tango
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2017, 11:22:23 pm
content: I plugged in my extension cable, did some work and came to pull the plug out. The plug top came off leaving the section with the pins still in the wall socket. I am not aware of it having been hit or damaged but its not very safe.Ken

author: hexreader
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2017, 11:33:50 pm
content: I would think that Duraplug is a reputable company, and to give benefit of doubt, maybe this is a rare failure of quality.If you can be bothered to post the failed plug (maybe with a few centimetres of cord still attached) to Duraplug HQ, you might strike lucky and get an apology letter and a load of freebies as compensation. EDIT- or maybe just email these photos.... ?Only guessing though.....If it was me, I would be far too lazy to go to the trouble, but maybe you are made of better stuffFeel free to ignore this thought if you want to.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 01:05:11 am
content: I don't think this is just a freak incident, it looks like a severe design flaw. Look at the screws, there's no place for them to screw in on the top part. It looks like it was just glued on or something.

author: hexreader
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 01:14:44 am
content: Quote from: Cyberdragon on December 25, 2017, 01:05:11 amThe top is meant to be held on by just a single large screw. The problem is that the design relies on a very strong circular surround around the large square-ish central brass lug.The plug looks very old - maybe the design has been improved since. Or maybe the design is OK, but the plastic moulding was imperfect for this batch.I see that Duraplug is part of MK industries, and both are well regarded and trusted companies with a great reputation. I would be interested to know what response MK/Duraplug might give.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 01:31:36 am
content: Is that a genuine Duraplug? In the Duraplugs I've seen the cover wraps right around the cable. They really annoy people who fit the bulk of the plug to a cable, only to realise the have to remove it again to slide the cover over the cable.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 01:51:32 am
content: Quote from: Kilo Tango on December 24, 2017, 11:22:23 pmThen how would you explain this piece of plastic ended up on opposite side? IMO there was some huge impact.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 01:54:31 am
content: Quote from: wraper on December 25, 2017, 01:51:32 amUmm... think about how the two pieces fit together...

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 02:01:54 am
content: Quote from: amyk on December 25, 2017, 01:54:31 amMaybe try to think yourself? How the part which is not mechanically attached to the other side ended up there? For in to break off, there must be huge sideways impact. If it was just lug breaking off, this would never happen.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 02:10:02 am
content: Quote from: coppice on December 25, 2017, 01:31:36 amPeople don't remove it, they just cut a slot!I think they subsequently changed the design to avoid this issue.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 02:17:21 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on December 25, 2017, 02:10:02 amyes, I know. I was being idealistic.Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on December 25, 2017, 02:10:02 am

author: drussell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 03:47:25 am
content: Quote from: wraper on December 25, 2017, 02:01:54 amIndeed...QuoteHuh? The orange part is shown flipped over from the way it mates to the black part.The orange part broke in several places.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 04:03:09 am
content: I suppose that's better than pulling a plug out and having the plastic surround on the socket side all break away, exposing the blades of the socket as recently happened on a couple of my outlets. I need to replace all of them in the house as they are all cheap quality ones and very few actually hold the plugs securely, they are so worn out. Strange where people skimp to save a few bucks to upgrade something else.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 04:15:38 am
content: Quote from: drussell on December 25, 2017, 03:47:25 amIt does not attach in any way around the terminal. It also shouldn't be brittle.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 07:33:31 am
content: It's old, the plastic became brittle. Possibly add a few sharp impacts in its life history. The design is poor, and relies on that one central fixing where the square post was molded into a plastic post. Plastic not thick enough, and allows single point of failure. Finally it failed.Nothing new here. Not even if that was a deliberate lifetime-limiting feature, to maintain plug sales in future. Though I doubt it was that.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 10:52:00 am
content: Quote from: drussell on December 25, 2017, 03:47:25 amThis is protrusion which rests around the terminal. However there is no any attachment between them. For it to break, top and bottom parts must move sideways regarding to each other. But this is impossible by construction (even if lug is broken) unless there is some huge force applied sideways.