Two appliances in one plug

[SUNRAY]

... Perhaps I'm allowed just one 'soapbox', and that word niggles me so much because it is such a daft and unnecessary word.

Kind Regards, John

Like you John I have always hated and despised the term plug top and have never understood how it may have come into being.
There are a number of other terms which also don't make sense, such as, why is this a coupler http://cpc.farnell.com/permaplug/els13whi/rubber-socket-13a-white/dp/PL00920 and this a socket http://cpc.farnell.com/walther/31036cl/3p-240v-bs4343-clear-coupler-blue/dp/CN06703 ?

The problem is that once the term has become used its very hard to lose it, like you I get concerned when a wrong term gets introduced into a thread by someone who should have known better. (General comment, not specifically aimed at this thread)

Mistake is deliberate, before the loft hatch spiders appear.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What I don't understand is where certain members take it upon themselves to make an issue over often trivial points, in a manor that I can only describe as negative, non constructive and some times damn right rude.
It's a shame they seem to think this is except-able behaviour, were as calling a plug a plugtop is not.

Shall we look back to see who behaved in a manor (sic) which might be regarded as negative, non constructive or damn right rude?

Here we have the objection to the use of the term:

.....into one plugtop.

Arrrggghhh I'm likely to challenge anyone who uses that ridiculous term to explain to me how it came about - don't you want the bit with the pins as well?!!

Kind Regards, John.

And here we have...

Hate them pedantic firked up a holes, who have nothing better to do, than get off on trivial references, anyone with an oversized grey cell would understand what is meant be it

...oh.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Bug-ger me if someone dare use the term earth if they are referring to CPC.
It's a DIY forum and some people don't use or know or understand some of the terms used in the great world of electrics and some want to pour ridicule upon that!

You've got it AAF (my, what a surprise).

The OP did not use the term 'plugtop', ricicle did, apparently because it's used in the trade by electricians and wholesalers, not because it's commonly used by DIYers who don't know what the correct word is.

Earth vs cpc?
Ring main vs ring final?
Bulb vs lamp?
Light fitting vs luminaire?

All of those are examples where TAMITS will use the "wrong" term, but where generally most people would understand what the term was being used for.

Do you seriously want to claim that not many people would know what the word "plug" meant, but would understand "plugtop"?

 

[JohnW2]

The problem is that once the term has become used its very hard to lose it, like you I get concerned when a wrong term gets introduced into a thread by someone who should have known better. (General comment, not specifically aimed at this thread)

I don't think it's actually true to say that the word 'plugtop' is actually 'a wrong term' - as far as the electrical trade is concerned, it's a correct and well-established technical term. My problem is therefore not related to correctness but, rather, to the fact that it is such a ridiculous and unnecessary word, and a word which certainly should not be used in communication with the general public, many/most of whom will probably not understand it.

If the trade had some good reason (I can't imagine what!!) for wanting to change from 'plug', they might at least have invented some completely new word, not used something which sounds as if it's refering to part of a plug! ... and, in any event, why do they only seem to use the word in relation to 13A BS1363 plugs, and not the thousands of other types of plug which are out there?

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

it is such a ridiculous and unnecessary word, and a word which certainly should not be used in communication with the general public,

For the same reasons it should not be used by anybody, ever.

 

[JohnW2]

Earth vs cpc?
Ring main vs ring final?
Bulb vs lamp?
Light fitting vs luminaire?
All of those are examples where TAMITS will use the "wrong" term, but where generally most people would understand what the term was being used for.

It's worth noting that most (maybe all) of those examples, and many others are situations in which the word currently regarded as 'wrong' was once correct, and that the electrical trade, for whatever reason (more apparent in some cases than others), chose to re-write their dictionary at some point in history.

As for 'whatever reason', a cynic might suggest that, at least in some cases, the reason may simply have been a desire to perpetuate some sort of mystique or impression of 'cleverness' for members of the trade - by making them speak a language with TAMITS would often not understand! (somewhat reminsicent of the days when clergymen, doctors and others worked in Latin, one imagines for similar reasons)

Kind Regards, John.

 

[Paul_C]

Earth vs cpc?

That one being a good example. CPC is the modern term for what used to be called the ECC - Earth continuity conductor.

It's also, in my opinion, another example of a pointless change of "official" terminology for the sake of it. What was wrong with ECC? Why did it need to become CPC?

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[ricicle]

For the same reasons it should not be used by anybody, ever.

In your opinion.....

 

[JohnW2]

Earth vs cpc?

That one being a good example. CPC is the modern term for what used to be called the ECC - Earth continuity conductor.
It's also, in my opinion, another example of a pointless change of "official" terminology for the sake of it. What was wrong with ECC? Why did it need to become CPC?

Quite. Maybe they felt they needed to make the change because 'earth' is not always what it used to be!

This reminds me of Anatomy. Since its a pretty 'static' discipline (or, at least, one which evolves incredibly slowly), in order to justify their existance, academic anatomists seem to spend much of their time sitting on committes that regularly re-name everything - seemingly just to make sure that earlier generations become confused! The excuse is usually 'increased clarity' (or 'increased correctness'). Whilst that may sometimes be true for newcomers to the subject, it sure ain't true for those who were educated under a previous regime!

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

For the same reasons it should not be used by anybody, ever.

In your opinion.....

Yes, in my opinion, and in that of all the sensible posters here.

It is worth nothing that the people who support the use of the word are, by and large, trolls and ***ts, so if you feel more in common with them than you do those who point out that the word is ridiculous and unnecessary, go ahead.

 

[Paul_C]

in order to justify their existance, academic anatomists seem to spend much of their time sitting on committes that regularly re-name everything - seemingly just to make sure that earlier generations become confused!

And I think we see a similar thing happening with electrical committees with things like RCCB becoming RCD. A pointless change.

The excuse is usually 'increased clarity' (or 'increased correctness').

And as the RCCB/RCD issue demonstrates, quite often the new terminology is less precise.


From another thread:

I think a few people have been converted from using the incorrect term plug, to the correct term plugtop.

Clearly there are disagreements here over "plugtop," but what makes you say that "plug" is incorrect usage?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The fact that he's a pathetic, childish little ***t who is saying those things because he thinks it's funny.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You've got it AAF (my, what a surprise).

Excuse my ignorants what does AAF stand for?
As A Friend?

It is worth nothing that the people who support the use of the word are, by and large, trolls and ***ts

I hope you not implying that I'm troll?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The 2nd two words are "about face".